ADMISSIONS: 661-615-5915 | MAIN LINE: 661-615-5915

Sky Safety: Understanding Crew Resource Management (CRM) In Aviation

Crew Resource Management - California Aeronautical University

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” title=”CONTENTS:” titleFontSize=”34px” itemsFontSize=”18px” skipHeadingText=”Share This:”] Crew resource management focuses on strong decision-making skills, problem solving techniques, and effective teamwork to improve the safety culture within …

READ MORE Sky Safety: Understanding Crew Resource Management (CRM) In Aviation

Aircraft Weight And Balance: How Do They Affect Flight?

Aircraft Weight and Balance - California Aeronautical University

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 window) passengers are taken aback when asked how much they weigh as the pilot prepares for flight, or if the first officer takes a look …

READ MORE Aircraft Weight And Balance: How Do They Affect Flight?

A Beginner’s Guide to Airplane Winglets

Airplane Winglets - California Aeronautical University

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 wing. Most modern passenger jets have winglets. They became a staple of the aircraft industry the 1980’s when concern about oil prices pushed increased research …

READ MORE A Beginner’s Guide to Airplane Winglets

Mastering Lift: The Design Of Airplane Wings

Design of Airplane Wings - California Aeronautical University

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 important aspect of aeronautical engineering. Now that computer software and advanced wind tunnel technology are aiding in the development of wing design, we are better …

READ MORE Mastering Lift: The Design Of Airplane Wings

The Differences In Flying With Different Engine Types

The Differences in Flying With Different Engine Types

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 to step on and off an airplane, reaching their destination without thinking at all about what has powered them there. For pilots, engineers, and many …

READ MORE The Differences In Flying With Different Engine Types

How Does a Plane’s Control Surfaces Function?

Control Surfaces of a Plane

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 a good grasp of these principles, both abstractly as well as while acting as pilot in command, you are better equipped to make sound decisions …

READ MORE How Does a Plane’s Control Surfaces Function?

Why Get Your Bachelors in Aeronautics?

Graduating with Bachelors in aeronautics

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 money on earning a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics. Aren’t most of the major airlines hiring without one? And doesn’t military experience or the equivalent satisfy …

READ MORE Why Get Your Bachelors in Aeronautics?

How Airplane Designs Have Changed Over Time

How Planes Have Changed Over Time

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 passenger jet with a modern cockpit. The fantastic part about aviation is that all of these images apply. Since it landed on a runway like …

READ MORE How Airplane Designs Have Changed Over Time

Navigating Airports from Big to Small As a Pilot

Navigating Airports from Big to Small

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 the matter. Outside of checking the weather, filing a flight plan, and assessing the airworthiness of your airplane, there are many decisions to be made …

READ MORE Navigating Airports from Big to Small As a Pilot

What Kind of Speeds do Different Kinds of Airplanes Reach?

What Kind of Speeds do Different Kinds of Airplanes Reach

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 that atmospheric conditions, temperature, the weight of the aircraft and its cargo, and other factors all come into play when discussing the speed of an …

READ MORE What Kind of Speeds do Different Kinds of Airplanes Reach?

What Makes the Cessna a Quintessential Training Aircraft?

Cessna 172 Skyhawk - Pilot Training

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 aircraft, it’s a solid choice for student pilots. Several factors have contributed to the popularity of this stable and reliable flying machine.   The Skyhawk: …

READ MORE What Makes the Cessna a Quintessential Training Aircraft?

All About Runway Distance Requirements

Runway Distance Requirements

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 pilot program will address this issue. Since working with runway distance is a matter which stretches far beyond simple memorization, it’s an important part of …

READ MORE All About Runway Distance Requirements

Propeller Based Versus JetEngine Propulsion

Engine Propulsion

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 efficient pilot. It can also help you to diagnose potential mechanical problems and take action to mitigate any damage. Even the earliest aviation pioneers knew …

READ MORE Propeller Based Versus JetEngine Propulsion

How The Existence of Weather Impacts Flight

How Weather Affects Flying

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 ocean.  From the very beginning of training, pilots learn how to read meteorological reports, interpret weather depiction charts, and analyze forecast discussions to create a …

READ MORE How The Existence of Weather Impacts Flight

Differences Between Airspace Classifications

Airspace Classifications

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 clearance, paying attention to these divisions help ensure positive interactions with controllers and other pilots. The classification of airspace is not always static. It might …

READ MORE Differences Between Airspace Classifications

V1 and Other Airspeeds

Velocity Airspeeds

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 understand the capacities, safe performance operation, and limitations of any aircraft, it’s important to have a good grasp of “velocity speeds”, known as V-speeds. For …

READ MORE V1 and Other Airspeeds

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.