Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a little-known aspect of aviation within the general public. However, it is as vital as checking the weather and conducting a pre-flight walkaround. [lwptoc numerationSuffix=”dot” …
Read More Sky Safety: Understanding Crew Resource Management (CRM) In Aviation
Aircraft weight and balance play an important role in flight, and knowing these two factors can help ensure a safe and enjoyable flight. Some general aviation (opens in a new …
Read More Aircraft Weight And Balance: How Do They Affect Flight?
If an airplane has wings, why does it need winglets (opens in a new window)? Airplane winglets are the “baby wings” placed at an angle at the end of airplane …
On the ground, we are able to make our way from Point A to Point B by knowing where to turn on roads, guided by maps, GPS, or memory. Even …
As our understanding of lift and basic aeronautical principals (opens in a new window) has improved and changed, so has the design of airplane wings. Wing design is an incredibly …
One aspect of aviation knowledge which immediately separates the general public from professionals or self-educated enthusiasts is the matter of aircraft engines. Most members of the flying public are happy …
Read More The Differences In Flying With Different Engine Types
Understanding the basic aerodynamics of how an airplane’s control surfaces work is a major part of safely commanding it both on the ground and in the air. When you have …
With a decades-long sluggish aviation industry at last hiring again due to a worldwide pilot shortage, many who want to become pilots might wonder why they should spend time and …
When someone says the word “airplane,” a lot of different visuals might come to mind—the 1903 Wright Flyer (the world’s first airplane), a World War II fighter, or a huge …
“For your comfort, the cabin will be pressurized.” Passengers hear this as part of in-flight announcements as they settle into their seats, but most might not know how this takes …
Maintaining the correct course in the air is as easy as following the line on the GPS, isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. What happens when your cockpit GPS …
Some student pilots think the toughest part of flying is simply staying aloft. However, the mechanics of taking off and landing at an airport extend far beyond the aeronautics of …
To understand the kinds of various speeds airplanes reach, it’s important to also understand how airspeed is measured in aviation and what it means for you as a pilot. Remember …
Read More What Kind of Speeds do Different Kinds of Airplanes Reach?
The basics of altitude seem like the most basic aspect of flying: As long as you’re in the air, isn’t that good? But working with the realities that come with …
The Cessna 172, called the Skyhawk, is by far the most common training aircraft at flight schools in the US. A well-balanced airplane with qualities that translate well to other …
Read More What Makes the Cessna a Quintessential Training Aircraft?
Part of being a safe pilot is making sure that any runway you plan to use has enough distance to safely operate for both takeoff and landing. A strong student …
To fully understand how an aircraft works, student pilots must become familiar with its form of propulsion. Comprehending how your airplane’s engine works helps you to become a safe and …
Since aircraft operate in a three-dimensional environment, sailing in the ocean of air called the atmosphere, it is critical for pilots to understand how the weather affects flying through that …
Knowing how the Federal Aviation Administration divides airspace is key to developing awareness and safe operation as a pilot. From the planning phase of a flight to requesting a landing …
In aviation, the concept of “speed” isn’t just “how fast an aircraft is going.” It can refer to a number of operating conditions in relation to the aircraft. To fully …