If this happens, you may want to consider going up for an hour of dual instruction with a CFI who specializes in the area you had difficulty in—like crosswinds or short field landings.

Provided the mistake wasn’t something egregious, resulting in bent metal or broken FARs, go out and practice that particular maneuver on your own—and hold yourself accountable to assigned metrics.

Anatomy of a Proficiency Flight

A proficiency flight should always begin with a pre-brief. If you are on your own, it can be self-talk with “this is what I want to accomplish on this flight; these are the metrics I seek to achieve.” And then hold yourself accountable to those metrics, and if they are not met, determine what changes need to happen to fix the situation.

For example, “I want to land on the first third of the runway with full flaps, but I keep landing long and slightly fast. I need to pay more attention to achieving a stabilized approach. I can do this by calling out my airspeeds on each leg of the pattern as I adjust the configuration of the aircraft.”

If you are flying with a CFI, the pre-brief can be the most important part of the flight. Describe the challenge you had in detail. Saying you “had a bad landing” doesn’t really help because there are so many variables that can result in that. Were you too fast? Behind the airplane?

• READ MORE: Separation Anxiety: When Your Instructor Moves on, Your Logbook Tells the Story

Was your pattern altitude all over the place? The CFI can’t help you fix it unless we know what it is we’re fixing.

Insist the CFI verbalize the procedure to correct the problem before you get in the airplane. Airplanes are terrible classrooms, and that can add to the frustration. If it’s the pattern and landings that are the issue, for example, try diagramming the pattern on a whiteboard, paying special attention to the required airspeeds, altitude, and aircraft configuration. Using a model aircraft to fly a tabletop pattern while reciting these metrics can also be helpful.

Let the instructor know what you expect of them during the flight. If you want them to be quiet and simply be there as a safety measure just in case things start to go sideways, let them know. If you want the instructor to offer real-time suggestions, say so, and be ready to accept their input.

Are You Knowledge Proficient?

You have to remember so many things as a pilot that it is easy for your knowledge to get a little soft. When was the last time you reviewed something in the FAR/AIM or read a chapter from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge or Airplane Flying Handbook—without it being part of a check ride or flight review?

Just as we make time to fly those takeoffs and landings in excess of the three within 90 days for currency, a good pilot should make the time to review the knowledge required to hold their certificate.

Normalization of Deviance

Pilots sometimes make excuses for soft spots that can result in greater issues known as normalization of deviance, a psychological term for deviation from proper behavior or a rule becoming culturally normalized. In aviation these can be shortcuts or avoidance that pilots rationalize—and they can come back to bite you. We’ve all read those accident reports where the pilot was significantly out of currency, and therefore proficiency, but went ahead with the technically challenging flight with disastrous results.

• READ MORE: Make Flight Reviews for CFIs Worthwhile

Rationalization is dangerous in aviation. For example, some pilots fall into a pattern of avoidance of airspace, flying elaborate zigzag routing because they don’t want to ask for a clearance through controlled airspace. They rationalize it by saying, “I don’t go into Class D airspace because I don’t want to talk to the tower” or “The tower is too busy.” The request to transition the airspace is often a less than 10-second conversation.

Another example is the pilot who avoids nontowered airports because “it is too much work to see and avoid and self-announce at the same time.” This is very limiting, because the majority of airports in the U.S. are nontowered, and that is not likely to change.

Commit to Proficiency: The CFI Perspective

One of the challenges of the normalization of deviance is trying to determine what was lost in translation: Where did the pilot pick up this bad habit? Was it from a CFI? Flying with a buddy? Something they read online? “My instructor told me…” is the aviation version of “they said” and definitely should signal the need to find another source of that information, preferably FAA-approved material such as the FAR/AIM.

When a pilot comes to a CFI seeking a proficiency flight, that doesn’t mean the instructor should look for opportunities to shred them. I say this because I’ve seen very skilled and experienced pilots walk out of a business because of the attitude of the CFI tasked with the proficiency flight. The CFI was almost hostile, as if flying with an already-certificated pilot was beneath them. Granted, the one or two hours of proficiency flying are not as lucrative as teaching an entire certificate or rating, but you’re being paid to teach, and it is adding hours to your logbook.

• READ MORE: Who Is Teaching? Low Time and Social Media Make for a Bad Combo

Listen to what the pilot seeking training wants. It can be very frustrating to the pilot needing dual instruction when paired with a CFI who has their own agenda. The pilot says, “I want to regain my multiengine currency and proficiency,” and the CFI or flight school desk person hears, “I want to get my multiengine rating.”

Study for Proficiency

Online ground schools, such as King Schools, Sporty’s, and Gold Seal to name a few, are also very helpful in maintaining knowledge proficiency. CFIs may find it useful to “test fly them” before being recommended to clients.

Have you ever heard of someone retaking a ground school for the sake of proficiency? I have and I applaud them for it. In one of the face-to-face courses I taught, there was a father who held a CFI certificate in the class because he wanted to teach his children to fly. But it had been so long since he exercised the privileges of his certificate, he wanted the refresher. He was an airline pilot and had been taking online flight instructor refresher clinics to keep his CFI active but realized that wasn’t enough to maintain his teaching proficiency.

It is incumbent on all instructors and pilots to embrace a culture that encourages proficiency training. Remember this warning: Be humble in aviation, or aviation will humble you.

This column first appeared in the May 2024/Issue 948 of FLYING’s print edition.

The post The Importance of Embracing Proficiency Culture appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

It’s always a good idea to have at least two flashlights in your flight kit—one with a white light for preflight inspections, the other with a lens tinted red, green, amber, or blue for use in the dark because these colors do not destroy night vision.

Even brief exposure to white light can zap your night vision, and it can take 30 minutes (or more) for your eyes to readjust to low light. That’s an awfully long time to be flying blind, so choose cockpit light carefully. And since pilots tend to accidentally blind themselves when they reach for a flashlight—or their smartphone with the flashlight–in order to find the tinted flashlight they just dropped—use one designed to be clipped or strategically held to avoid that scenario.

The first design from Flight Gear to be tested was the Bite Light, which, as the name implies, is designed to be held in the pilot’s jaws to position the beam. There is a silicon ring on the base of the flashlight that provides a better grip and is more comfortable and less damaging to teeth than a metal flashlight. I must admit when I read this I had a flashback to the dumpster-diving scene in the 1978 movie Animal House, the John Landis-directed college parody movie that finds a member of the titular fraternity holding a flashlight in his teeth as he scours carbon copies of tests pulled from the trash looking for the psychology course midterm.

A Greener Flashlight

For those who hate the idea of the trash created by spent batteries, this flashlight can be recharged with a USB type-C rechargeable battery. As someone who probably could finance a type rating on what I have spent on batteries over the years, I have become increasingly appreciative of flashlights with the USB recharge feature.

Both Red and White Lights

The Bite Light boasts a bright white light to be used for preflight inspection and finding things dropped on the dark ramp. The button is labeled with a “W.” The white light’s intensity is controlled by how many times you press the button—three times creates maximum illumination; one more time turns it off.

Pressing the button with the power symbol and “red” underneath it activates the red light. One press activates the light, a second press brings it up to maximum intensity, and a third press turns it off.

The lights are independent of one another—you are either using red or white. Turning one color of light on automatically turns the other off.

The Bite Light is made of aviation-grade aluminum and, according to the manufacturer, can withstand drops. We inadvertently tested this twice from the top of a Cessna 172 wing and found the manufacturer assertion to be accurate. The flashlight is also supposed to be water resistant. It doesn’t weigh much, as it is light to the point that you wonder if it has a battery in it and are pleasantly surprised to find it does. 

• READ MORE: How Many Flashlights Do You Carry in Your Flight Bag?

Flight Gear Universal Aviators Light

Headlamp flashlights allow you to focus the beam wherever you look. They are held in place with a headband or clip that attaches to your headset or ball cap. The Flight Gear Universal Aviator’s Light provides both options.

It features a dual rotating axis and clip to help secure it. It is light enough that you don’t feel like you are wearing it even when employing the headband. It also clips to a kneeboard without unbalancing it.

Like the Bite Lite, it has both white and red lenses. The light is powered by two AAA batteries.

A single press of the “W” button will turn on the white light at max brightness. To dim the light, press the “W” button again within the first five seconds of turning on the light. This will bring the white light to medium intensity. Another press of the white button within five seconds will reduce the intensity of the light to low. Using low intensity will provide the maximum runtime on one set of batteries. While in the low setting, or after the level of light has been on for more than five seconds, the next press of the “W” button will turn it off. 

The red lights are activated in the same fashion by pressing the “R3” button.

I liked the versatility of the Universal Aviator’s Light. I could wear it as a headband or attach it to my ball cap or collar for best position in the cockpit. 

If you are a pilot who prefers a flashlight that can double as a blunt-force weapon, both of these are probably too little. You barely notice them in your pocket. Both flashlights feel as though they were designed for the space program, where weight saving is everything. 

The Bite Light sells for $49.95, the Universal Aviators Light sells for $29.95.

Both are available from Sporty’s Pilot Shop. 

The post Hands-Free Flashlights in the Cockpit appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Recently, a pilot buddy who owns a V-tail Bonanza offered to fly somewhere warmer than southeast Tennessee to play, which is the perfect excuse. Even though I don’t play as much as I want to, a golf polo shirt is my preferred shirt for work or weekends with weather above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (to convert to Celsius, grab your E6B). From my company-issued black FLYING Nike polos to unbranded Peter Millar and Bad Birdie (one of my favorites), my closet is full.

An AeroWear Final Approach polo recently arrived from the folks at Sporty’s Pilot Shop, and as a self-proclaimed golf polo connoisseur, I’m impressed. It has become a new staple, especially in a fly-and-play situation. This would also make for a great gift for pilots after you’ve recovered from the holiday gift-giving season.

Styles: Select from 5 Options

I chose the light blue Final Approach design. The shirt comes in five unique offerings, but the material and fit for each is the same. I am going to place an order when the weather gets nicer and complete the collection. Stylistically, they follow modern golf polo design with small graphics and subtle branding. I would compare the designs to TravisMatthew and the modern Adidas shirt designs that you would find at big-box retailers.

Material: Lightweight and Breathable

This shirt is made of 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex, and without any cotton, it is quite lightweight. A V-neck undershirt may help out in the colder temperatures. I would compare it with material found in the Bad Birdie golf polo or similar noncotton golf polos. If you’re looking for something with structure, this may not be the right option. In my experience, polyester tends to help wick away sweat and reduce odor during a round of golf.

The Fit: Size Up if in Question

One thing that frustrates me about golf polos is the wide variety of sizes. I am a broad-chest guy, and golf polo sizing puts me anywhere from a medium to an extra large. I wear a size 44 jacket and a large in most polo shirts, but in this shirt I sized up to an XL, and I’m glad that I did. It is slim through the chest and arms, which means if you’re debating between two sizes, I would select the larger of the two.

Pricing: Very Competitive

If you’ve ever been in a golf clubhouse, you’ll know buying a branded polo will break the bank. It’s often more than the round itself. The AeroWear polo is much cheaper than the competitive specialty golf shirts in its class. As of publishing you can buy one for $59.99 from AeroWear compared to the Bonobos ($89) or Supermex ($89). Plus, having an aviation-themed polo is much cooler than having a sombrero-themed polo. When other pilots see it, they will be jealous.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a great polo shirt that has subtle aviation tie-ins but isn’t obnoxious, this is a great option. If you’re concerned about fit, default to the larger size. With the trimmer, athletic fit, the right size will be important to perform well on the course, in the cockpit, or in the office. Another pro tip: Wash it before you wear it.

The post Review: Sporty’s AeroWear Golf Polo Makes the Cut appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Barns has known he wanted a career in aviation since high school and considered attending a college-based aviation program, but instead joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his service, he attended Millersville University, where pursued an aspect of his interest in aviation by earning a bachelor’s degree in meteorology.

Barns will be using the Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship to earn his private pilot certificate at Reigle Field (58N) in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The airport, located near Hershey, was established in 1942 by Chas and Ada Reigle and still has that vintage aviation vibe with a flight school that offers training in a J-3 Cub and 1943 Fairchild PT-23 as well as a Cessna 172.

• READ MORE: 6 Tips for Winning Aviation Scholarships

“The $2,500 award would be enough for me to pay for a tailwheel endorsement at my training airport and join the local gliding club,” said Barns. “I would then have the opportunity to earn glider ratings and build time toward my commercial certificate as a tow pilot.”

Barns noted that the local glider club always needs tow pilots, and he looks forward to building his hours through towing and gliding.

About Sporty’s Pilot Training+

Sporty’s Pilot Training+ is an all-inclusive membership that unlocks Sporty’s complete library of video-based courses for one annual fee. Membership also includes the opportunity to apply for three $2,500 scholarships, which are awarded annually.

To enroll as a Sporty’s Pilot Training+ member, visit sportys.com/pilottraining.

The post Sporty’s Flight Scholarship Awarded appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“Sporty’s is honored to have been selected by LIFT Academy as an online training provider,” said Sporty’s president John Zimmerman. “Sporty’s courses, paired with LIFT’s on-site flight training, will provide LIFT students with a premier learning experience as they prepare for their aviation career.” The partnership gives LIFT Academy attendees access to a wide range of training resources, including Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course, Instrument Rating Course, Commercial Pilot Course, and Garmin G1000 Checkout Course.

Each course includes hours of video content with flight deck perspectives and sophisticated 3D animations. The instruction can be accessed on Sporty’s dedicated mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, and downloaded for offline viewing.

• READ MORE: Sporty’s Launches 2024 Learn to Fly Courses

“LIFT chose Sporty’s as the course provider for our students for the feature-rich and modern courseware that will complement our innovative, industry-leading training program while providing students with the skills they need to succeed,” said Edward Bagden, director of LIFT operations and academic programs. “The flight school management tools provide our team with the tools they need to provide LIFT students with the best training possible.”

The partnership includes access to Sporty’s test prep tools, allowing users to create unlimited study sessions and practice exams through access to the company’s proprietary database of thousands of test questions. The exams can be randomized or focused on specific areas to help the users address soft spots in their knowledge to customize their learning experience.

LIFT Academy will use Sporty’s CFI Portal and Chief CFI features to monitor and track student progress within the courses. These tools allow LIFT instructors and management to better ensure that learners are staying on track to meet their training objectives.

About Lift Academy

LIFT Academy is headquartered in Indianapolis and has additional training facilities in Texas and South Carolina. The academy utilizes Diamond DA40 and DA20 single-engine aircraft and DA42 multiengine designs as well as advanced aviation training devices (AATDs) from Diamond Simulation and Frasca International to enhance the learning environment. In addition, LIFT utilizes virtual reality immersive training devices (ITDs) crafted by Vertex Solutions.

For more information, visit  the LIFT website.

The post Sporty’s Pilot Shop Partners with LIFT Academy for Training Courses appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Ground school is the first step a student pilot needs to take on the way to achieving most flight certificates and ratings, from a sport pilot certificate to an airline transport pilot certificate. If you’re already a pilot and looking to achieve your instrument rating, check out our article on the best IFR ground schools.

While most elements of aviation education need to be completed in person, there are online ground schools available to prepare aspiring pilots for the FAA knowledge test.

All of the online options have a variety of offerings, including banks of information relative to the written exam, sample test questions, and links to other resources to help pilots prepare for their knowledge and practical tests. 

Quick Look: Best Online Ground Schools to Consider

• Best For Self-paced Learning: Pilot Institute Online Ground School
• Best For Tech-savvy Pilots: Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn to Fly
• Best For Busy Pilots: Angle of Attack Online Ground School
• Best For Free Courses: Gold Seal Online Ground School
• Best For Lifetime Access to Digital Resources: Rod Machado 40 Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School
• Best For Future IFR Pilots: ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School
• Best For Multiple Ground School Options: Gleim Aviation Online Ground School
• Best For Money-Back Guarantee: King Schools

7 Best Online Ground School Options

Depending on your current level of aviation knowledge, your budget, and your timeframe, one of the many online ground schools may suit you better than the others. Here is a look at six of the best options.

Pilot Institute Online

If you don’t pass the written test, Pilot Institute will send you $175 cash on top of a full refund for the course. This option is also self-paced, and 99.8 percent of students do, indeed, pass their written exams. They also offer a Facebook group for online study and discussion with classmates and a 44-page study guide.

Best For: Pilots who are nervous about their ground school investment

Website: Pilot Institute Online

Course Length: Self-paced with a long list of practice examinations—20 hours, generally (courses can be sped up or slowed down to match learning style).

Subscription Access: This includes lifetime access to all materials, even those that are added after you pass your exam.

What You’ll Learn: In addition to these areas of study, the course also offers a flashcard app for your phone to help you practice for the exam.

• Airports and lingo
• Weather patterns
• How to choose a flight school
• Aircraft systems
• Flight instruments
• Aerodynamics
• Performance limitations

Pricing: $199

Angle of Attack Online Ground School

Certified Flight Instructors teach a student in the cockpit while flying, but it is important if you take online flight ground school to also have a CFI who is actively teaching. Angle of Attack is taught by Chris Palmer and features beautiful, modern videography and first-hand flight scenarios to help students become better pilots. Take these courses on the go, too, by downloading them natively to your device.  

Best For: Busy Pilots

Website: Angle of Attack Online Ground School

Course Length: There are 10 sections, with multiple courses in each section. 

Subscription Access: Lifetime Access, with a subscription offering for only the ground school or include the Checkride ACE Course for only $70.

What You’ll Learn:

• Orientation & Aerodynamics
• Human factors
• Aircraft Systems
• Weather Theory
• Aviation Weather
• Performance
• Airports
• Airspace
• Flight Planning
• Next Steps

Pricing: $279 for lifetime access (Bundle with the Checkride ACE for $349)

Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn to Fly 

Pilots who want an easy-to-follow, deep-knowledge course to prepare them for their written test. They offer a TV app so you can watch your instructional videos on a large screen, and offer a phone app that allows access to their training resources at any time. 

Best For: Self-Paced Learning

Website: Sporty’s Private Pilot Learn To Fly  

Course Length: The course is self-paced and is expected to take about 15 hours of study and practical time in order to be prepared for the written test.

Subscription Access: Lifetime access—even to updated materials

What You’ll Learn: The Sporty’s course offers a very extensive outline and you can customize your areas of focus based on your weaknesses and strengths. Here are some key points:

• Maneuvers
• Faa Regulations
• Aircraft Familiarity
• Weather Patterns
• In-Cockpit Feel Via Their Video Catalog 

Pricing: $299

Gold Seal Online Ground School

Future pilots who want to take some free classes to test the waters first, and also for “rusty pilots” as they offer a “flight review” course similar to ground school that helps current pilots brush up on their skills. 

Best For: Tech-Savvy Pilots

Website: Gold Seal Online Ground School

Course Length: There are 6 modules, and each can be completed in a few hours. 

Subscription Access: There is a lot of free content, but subscription access grants you a lot more and is good for life. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Getting Started
  • Pilot Qualifications
  • Aircraft Parts
  • Aerodynamics
  • Instrument Panel
• Your First Few Hours
  • Zulu Time/Phonetic Alphabet
  • Charts
  • Airport Operations
• Skill Building
  • Engine Systems
  • Ground Maneuvers
  • Turns
  • Recoveries
• Aviation Weather
• Real World Flying
  • VOR
  • GPS
  • Night Flight
  • Flight Plans
• Passing Your Test

Pricing: $229 for full access (about ⅓ of materials are free to access)

Rod Machado 40-hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School

Aspiring pilots looking to gain knowledge in a light-hearted atmosphere with plenty of one-on-one availability for questions and confirmations. The videos are as fun as they are educational, and the lessons can be customized to ensure there is more focus on areas of weakness. 

Best For: Lifetime Access to Digital Resources

Website: Rod Machado 40-hour Private Pilot

Course Length: Self-paced—40 hours are recommended

Subscription Access: Lifetime access to all training materials is included in the price. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics (Parts 1 and 2)
• Airplane Engine
• Electrical System
• Flight Instruments
• FAR
• Airport Operations
• Radio Operations
• Understanding Airspace
• Aviation Maps
• Radio Navigation
• Understanding Weather
• Cross Country Flight Planning

Pricing: $279

ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School

Pilots who want an extensive library of information that can help them learn well beyond the study requirements for the exam. They also offer an instrument pilot ground school for a few more dollars, and if you’re planning on pursuing an IFR rating and/or becoming a commercial pilot, this is a great option to get ahead early.

Best For: Future IFR Pilots

Website: ASA Private Pilot Online Ground School

Course Length: 2-4 weeks (self-paced)

Subscription Access: 24-month access to all materials including prepware.com

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft Systems
• Flight Instruments
• Regulations
• Airport Operations
• Weather
• Aircraft Performance
• Enroute Flight
• Navigation
• Communication
• Test Tips

Pricing: $180

Gleim Aviation Online Ground School

Gleim has a lot of ground school options. In addition to their basic private pilot ground school, they also offer ground school training for aspiring sport pilots as well as classes for future instructors, airline transport pilots (ATP), flight engineers, and more. 

Best For: Multiple Ground School Options

Website: Gleim Aviation Online Ground School

Course Length: Self-paced; average of 35 hours

Subscription Access: 12 months

What You’ll Learn:

• Airplanes and Aerodynamics
• Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems
• Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace
• Federal Aviation Regulations
• Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance
• Aeromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
• Aviation Weather
• Aviation Weather Services
• Navigation: Charts and Publications
• Navigation Systems
• Cross-Country Flight Planning

Pricing: $160

King Schools

If you’re on the fence about online pilot courses and want one with a good guaranteed return, look no further than King Schools. They not only offer a 30-day full refund, they also promise you’ll get your money back if you fail your FAA test within one year of purchase. On top of a great guarantee, King Schools courses are well-known for their lighthearted tone and effective teaching style. Course access includes an app to make learning and studying easy on the go.

Best For: Money-Back Guarantee

Website: King Schools Private Pilot Online Ground School

Course Length: Self-paced; 15 hours of video lessons

Subscription Access: Lifetime access, including future updates

What You’ll Learn:

• Aerodynamics
• Aircraft performance
• Airspace
• Communications & Radar Services
• How to read & understand sectional charts
• Flight Operations
• FAA Regulations
• Safe Flight Operations
• Navigation
• Weight and Balance
• How to Ace Your Test

Pricing: $299

What Is an Online Ground School?

Ground school is the first thing all aspiring pilots need to take in order to prepare them for the FAA written exam that will prove their competency, ultimately allowing the pilot to get a student’s certificate. This certificate is the gateway to all types of pilot certification. 

Some ground schools are in-person, but with so much technology available to make the online classroom seem more like the brick-and-mortar one, online flight schools hold a similar level of accreditation as their in-person counterparts—but can be completed at home and generally on the student’s own schedule. 

How Do Online Ground Schools Work?

No certification can actually be earned via online ground school (or in-person ground school, for that matter), but preparation for the FAA knowledge exam is very important, as the test is expensive and can only be attempted a limited number of times per calendar year. 

Online ground schools use video and text to educate aspiring pilots on everything they could be asked on their exams to get their student pilot certificate. 

What to Consider With an Online Ground School

As the FAA exam is the same no matter your prior education level, most ground schools will offer the same basic package. Depending on your areas of expertise, bank account, flexibility, and learning style; however, it’s a good thing that there are multiple school options to choose from. Before enrolling in an online training program, you should consider the following. 

Instructor Expertise

In order to apply for the FAA knowledge exam, aspiring pilots must have an endorsement from a CFI stating that they are ready to take the test. Knowing this, you should first be sure your online ground school offers a path to this endorsement. 

Some courses have single instructors while others have multiple, but as long as there is an option to ask qualified instructor questions, the ability to ask a single instructor versus multiple ones has a pretty even mix of pros and cons. 

Easy Course Access

If you’re very busy, online ground school is almost certainly your best option. Furthermore, some of these courses offer apps for phones and tablets, as well as downloadable content that you can study while not connected to the internet. 

Quality of Course Materials

All of these courses offer a preview of their course materials, and it’s up to you to decide which style you prefer. Some are more video-based, and others are more text, but all of the options on this list offer quality knowledge. 

Strong Community Support

If you’re someone who likes to learn in a group setting, the online option may be a bit off-putting, but some of these courses offer real-time support with an instructor, as well as group meetings via Zoom (or similar) so you can interact with fellow classmates. 

Online Ground School Reviews

The aviation community is a pretty small one, so each review holds a little more weight than that of something like a restaurant, so you might take a look at reviews regarding a course. 

Course Pricing

Most of these courses hover between $250 and $300—though some are even less—but be sure to check if you have unlimited access to the materials. If not, you may want to consider a slightly more expensive option that allows you to continue accessing lessons long after you pass your FAA written exam.

Online Ground School vs Physical Ground School

With so many advancements in remote learning (many spawned out of necessity during the pandemic), the digital classroom has almost everything you would want in a physical classroom, outside of a handshake with the instructor. 

For more practical applications in aviation, like a check ride, a significant amount of hands-on training is a necessity, but for preparation for a written exam, such as that which ground school prepares you for, you may be well served by studying online. 

Study Time

With both online and in-class sessions, there are plenty of options for preparing you to pass the FAA-required exam to get your private pilot certificate. Online offers a bit more flexibility, and money saved on trips to and from a brick-and-mortar classroom. 

Online classes also offer access to materials that you can use even after your exam. If you’re tech-savvy and need a flexible schedule, online ground school is probably the best option for you.

For information on all things aviation, including flying tips and techniques, subscribe to FLYING magazine.

The post What Is the Best Online Ground School for You? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

With the addition of the course, CAU students will now use Sporty’s training materials for private, instrument, and commercial training. The multi-platform flight training courses Sporty’s provides include:

• Dynamic in-flight video
• Test prep tools
• Flight instructor tracking
• Training syllabi
• Free lifetime updates 

“The ability to deliver quality instruction to our students in a feature-rich online format through Sporty’s delivers value to our students and provides a powerful tool for our instructors,” CAU president Matt Johnston said in a statement. “In addition, we are able to deliver instruction through Sporty’s courses as part of our FAA Part 141 offerings, making this a perfect suite for the university environment.”

• READ MORE: Sporty’s Launches CFI Portal

CAU offers students a number of degree programs in the aviation field, the largest being its professional pilot program. 

“We have enjoyed our partnership with CAU since the onset nearly four years ago,” Sporty’s vice president Mark Wiesenhahn said in a statement. “We are honored they chose Sporty’s courses as the online aviation platform for their students, and we’ll continue to add new content and features to keep it the best course in aviation.”

The post Sporty’s Pilot Shop Expands Partnership with California Aeronautical University appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Michael Brown, a 23-year-old instrument and seaplane rated pilot from Tennessee, is the winner of this year’s Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots for his story, “The Wrong Stuff.” A distinguished panel of judges selected Brown’s story as the entry that best answered this year’s writing prompt, “My most memorable or important flying lesson.” Brown’s article recounts what he learned when he let his ego make the decision to impress his first non-familial passenger in a Legend Cub on twin amphibious floats. As he admits, “I didn’t want her to think I didn’t have the confidence or the right stuff enough to do what the plane was designed to do.” After landing the floatplane, he quickly realized safely taking back off was going to be an issue.

Sporty’s vice president—and Flying contributor—John Zimmerman awarded Michael the $2,500 prize to encourage his aviation and writing pursuits. The winning article was also published in Air Facts. Michael is a private pilot with 280 hours total time and an instrument and seaplane rating. His grandfather worked for Delta Airlines for 37 years and his father is also a pilot. Michael graduated from Texas Christian University last May with a double major in business and communications and is currently a first-year law student at Tulane University.

The late Richard L. “Dick” Collins for whom the award is named, was a prolific aviation journalist whose career spanned 60 years, nearly half of it on the masthead of Flying magazine, including more than a decade in the 1970s through the late 1980s as editor-in-chief. Collins wrote his first aviation article in 1947 when he was just 13 years old, for Air Facts, the magazine founded by his father Leighton Collins. Richard later joined the staff of that publication full time in 1958 after serving in the U.S. Army and as chief pilot for Ben M. Hogan Co., a highway construction company based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Air Facts, the magazine relaunched by Sporty’s in 2011 as an online publication, was the starting point for such authors as Wolfgang Langewiesche, Bob Buck, Bill Mauldin and Richard Bach.

The Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots is funded by royalties from Collins’s book sales, augmented by contributions from his children, Richard, Jr. (who was also one of the judges), Sarah and Charlotte.

The post Michael Brown Wins the Richard Collins Writing Award appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

An elite collection of aircraft and products have earned our highest level of commendation, the Flying Innovation Award, chosen for the Editors’ Choice Awards by our team—and debuting in the March 2020 issue of Flying. Last year at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, we announced that Gulfstream’s G500 business jet secured the 2019 Flying Innovation Award, not just for the aircraft itself—which exemplifies style and performance—but also for the layers of innovation within Gulfstream’s development program, setting the bar high for aerospace manufacturers.

For 2019, we applied the same criteria to the host of aircraft, products and enterprises around our industry: an innovation had to be certified, if applicable, and available as of the year’s end. We’ll make the announcement at AirVenture 2020. Let us know what you think should win, and long may the innovative spirit continue to grow general aviation.

Epic E1000

It has been a long journey to certification for Epic Aircraft—a tale that started more than 20 years ago. The Epic LT launched in 2004 with plans by the former company owners to bring that experimental turboprop to the market while, at the same time, pursing certification for a future version. The story turned into good news under the leadership of LT owner and entrepreneur Doug King. He took on the role of CEO—backed by different owners and then a Russian company—and set out to fulfill the challenge of turning a kit-built aircraft into a Part 23-compliant mount.

In 2019, after seven years of pursuit, the FAA signed off the E1000 following its last test-flight hour in the fall, with type certification granted on November 6. Propelled by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A producing 1,200 hp, and flying at a top cruise speed of 333 knots, the E1000 is now poised to make challenges of its own, in the hot single-engine-turboprop market.

Texas Aircraft Colt LSA

If ever there were an airplane tough enough to carry on the banner of a solid future-pilot training machine, surely, it’s the Texas Aircraft Colt. Think of this light-sport, metal and composite aircraft as a Cessna 150 on steroids, an airplane that solved many of the concerns expressed by pilots and instructors over the years.

Climbing into the Colt is a snap, thanks to doors designed to hinge open 180 degrees because of wing struts built to fit behind the doors rather than in front. Once inside, the Colt offers enough room for even large people to move arms and feet freely. The Colt was designed with a welded chromoly passenger safety cell and a glass-panel Dynon EFIS system powerful enough to drive high-resolution graphic displays and a truly useful autopilot. The Colt also offers an optional ballistic parachute.

Student pilots on a solo will love the 31.7-gallon fuel tank that delivers nearly six hours of flying while miserly gulping just 5 gph. Dramatically highlighting the results of modern aerodynamic design, the 1,320-pound Colt, powered by a 100 hp Rotax engine, delivers a sprightly climb rate.

uAvionix tailBeacon

If you want to know the truth, we considered the uAvionix skyBeacon for recognition this past year, but our admiration for the ADS-B Out device—and its new brother, the tailBeacon—solidified in 2019 as a rush of owners installed the units in order to meet the final ADS-B compliance date of January 1, 2020.

The avionics take an elegant approach to a problem that plagued many aircraft owners: how to comply with the requirement without spending a lot of money and adding another box to their instrument panel. First, uAvionix debuted the skyBeacon, a self-contained replacement for the airplane’s left-wing navigation light that a reasonably handy owner could swap out on their own—only a maintenance technician with inspection authority needed to sign off on the work. Then, in summer 2019, the company launched the tailBeacon, which had the same concept of just replacing the nav light on the empennage of the airplane.

In talking with owners, though there have been hiccups unique to various airplanes, the certification covers such a broad range of needs at a reasonable price point—making it a friend, indeed, for pilots needing to keep flying in ADS-B-required airspace.

Tecnam P2012 Traveller

In the very last week of 2018, Tecnam gained European Union Aviation Safety Association certification of its 11-seat P2012 Traveller, a piston-powered twin aimed directly at the commuter-aircraft market. On paper, perhaps that doesn’t sound like a slam-dunk, but the Traveller proved in 2019 that it fills a niche few aircraft can.

In October, the mighty mini airliner made a transatlantic trip to gain FAA certification, with a delivery to its first and—at least for now—most important customer, Cape Air. Yes, the regional airline famous for its flights to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts, but with bases around the US, it worked hand in hand with Tecnam on the airplane’s development. And they didn’t just have their own specs in mind, though the airplane’s easy baggage loading and passenger-centric entry/exit door sure make the case for it. They, along with the manufacturer, also envisioned a green future for the airplane, placing it firmly within the airline’s own road map for alternative fuels and efficiency of consumption.

Powered by two Lycoming TEO540C1A engines actuated by full authority digital engine control, and with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics in the cockpit, the airplane’s operating costs are projected to run at $391 to $405 per hour. With the ability to complete a 500-nm trip at 155 knots at 10,000 feet, there’s a lot of application for the P2012 Traveller we’re just beginning to see.

Sporty’s PJ2

While glass cockpits abound these days, hardly anyone thinks much about a communications failure anymore, but it still happens. That’s why plenty of pilots carry a backup two-way radio in their flight bag. However, the problem with most of them is, when they’re needed, trying to communicate with a small handheld radio demands that the pilot needs to pull off their headset to talk, and that means picking up a serious amount of background noise.

Late in 2019, Sporty’s unveiled a solution to the cockpit-noise problems inherent in handheld radios. Called the PJ2, Sporty’s backup doesn’t require removing a headset, only unplugging it from one location and plugging it into the jacks conveniently located on top of the handheld PJ2. The result is a transmitter able that takes advantage of the noise-canceling microphone on a good headset.

The PJ2 includes 20 scannable memory channels, a last-frequency button, an oversize backlit screen, and even a quick access button to listen to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts. Press and hold the number “2” key for three seconds, and the PJ2 automatically switches to 121.5. Sporty’s PJ2 runs on six AA batteries but includes a USB-C plug for backup power.

The post Flying’s Editors’ Choice Awards Celebrate 2019’s Success appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

A premier collection of aircraft and products earned our highest level of commendation, the Editors’ Choice Awards, by our team back in February —with the Innovation Award winner to be announced later this week—and in the August 2020 issue of Flying.

Last year at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, we announced that Gulfstream’s G500 business jet secured the 2019 Flying Innovation Award, not just for the aircraft itself—which exemplifies style and performance—but also for the layers of innovation within Gulfstream’s development program, setting the bar high for aerospace manufacturers. While we won’t have the opportunity to celebrate the 2020 winner at AirVenture (following that event’s cancellation) we will bring the news to you on Flying’s social media channels.

Here’s a recap of those ECA winners—all candidates for the Innovation Award—and be sure to stay tuned this week for the big announcement.

Epic E1000

It has been a long journey to certification for Epic Aircraft—a tale that started more than 20 years ago. The Epic LT launched in 2000 with plans by the former company owners to bring that experimental turboprop to the market while, at the same time, pursing certification for a future version. The story turned into good news under the leadership of LT owner and entrepreneur Doug King. He took on the role of CEO—backed by different owners and then a Russian company—and set out to fulfill the challenge of turning a kit-built aircraft into a Part 23-compliant mount.

In 2019, after nine years of pursuit, the FAA signed off the E1000 following its last test-flight hour in the fall, with type certification granted on November 6. Propelled by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-76A producing 1,200 hp, and flying at a top cruise speed of 325 knots, the E1000 is now poised to make challenges of its own, in the hot single-engine-turboprop market.

Texas Aircraft Colt LSA

If ever there were an airplane tough enough to carry on the banner of a solid future-pilot training machine, surely, it’s the Texas Aircraft Colt. Think of this light-sport, metal and composite aircraft as a Cessna 150 on steroids, an airplane that solved many of the concerns expressed by pilots and instructors over the years.

Climbing into the Colt is a snap, thanks to doors designed to hinge open 180 degrees because of wing struts built to fit behind the doors rather than in front. Once inside, the Colt offers enough room for even large people to move arms and feet freely. The Colt was designed with a welded chromoly passenger safety cell and a glass-panel Dynon EFIS system powerful enough to drive high-resolution graphic displays and a truly useful autopilot. The Colt also offers an optional ballistic parachute.

Student pilots on a solo will love the 31.7-gallon fuel tank that delivers nearly six hours of flying while miserly gulping just 5 gph. Dramatically highlighting the results of modern aerodynamic design, the 1,320-pound Colt, powered by a 100 hp Rotax engine, delivers a sprightly climb rate. We featured the Colt in the May issue of Flying.

uAvionix tailBeacon

If you want to know the truth, we considered the uAvionix skyBeacon for recognition this past year, but our admiration for the ADS-B Out device—and its new brother, the tailBeacon—solidified in 2019 as a rush of owners installed the units in order to meet the final ADS-B compliance date of January 1, 2020.

The avionics take an elegant approach to a problem that plagued many aircraft owners: how to comply with the requirement without spending a lot of money and adding another box to their instrument panel. First, uAvionix debuted the skyBeacon, a self-contained replacement for the airplane’s left-wing navigation light that a reasonably handy owner could swap out on their own—only a maintenance technician with inspection authority needed to sign off on the work. Then, in summer 2019, the company launched the tailBeacon, which had the same concept of just replacing the nav light on the empennage of the airplane.

In talking with owners, though there have been hiccups unique to various airplanes, the certification covers such a broad range of needs at a reasonable price point—making it a friend, indeed, for pilots needing to keep flying in ADS-B-required airspace.

Tecnam P2012 Traveller

In the very last week of 2018, Tecnam gained European Union Aviation Safety Association certification of its 11-seat P2012 Traveller, a piston-powered twin aimed directly at the commuter-aircraft market. On paper, perhaps that doesn’t sound like a slam-dunk, but the Traveller proved in 2019 that it fills a niche few aircraft can.

In October, the mighty mini airliner made a transatlantic trip to gain FAA certification, with a delivery to its first and—at least for now—most important customer, Cape Air. Yes, the regional airline famous for its flights to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts, but with bases around the US, it worked hand in hand with Tecnam on the airplane’s development. And they didn’t just have their own specs in mind, though the airplane’s easy baggage loading and passenger-centric entry/exit door sure make the case for it. They, along with the manufacturer, also envisioned a green future for the airplane, placing it firmly within the airline’s own road map for alternative fuels and efficiency of consumption.

Powered by two Lycoming TEO540C1A engines actuated by full authority digital engine control, and with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics in the cockpit, the airplane’s operating costs are projected to run at $391 to $405 per hour. With the ability to complete a 500-nm trip at 155 knots at 10,000 feet, there’s a lot of application for the P2012 Traveller we’re just beginning to see. We featured the Tecnam P2012 in the June issue of Flying.

Sporty’s PJ2

With glass cockpits abound these days, hardly anyone thinks much about a communications failure anymore, but it still happens. That’s why plenty of pilots carry a backup two-way radio in their flight bag. However, the problem with most of them is, when they’re needed, trying to communicate with a small handheld radio demands that the pilot needs to pull off their headset to talk, and that means picking up a serious amount of background noise.

Late in 2019, Sporty’s unveiled a solution to the cockpit-noise problems inherent in handheld radios. Called the PJ2, Sporty’s backup doesn’t require removing a headset, only unplugging it from one location and plugging it into the jacks conveniently located on top of the handheld PJ2. The result is a transmitter able that takes advantage of the noise-canceling microphone on a good headset.

The PJ2 includes 20 scannable memory channels, a last-frequency button, an oversize backlit screen, and even a quick access button to listen to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts. Press and hold the number “2″ key for three seconds, and the PJ2 automatically switches to 121.5. Sporty’s PJ2 runs on six AA batteries but includes a USB-C plug for backup power.

The post Flying’s Editors’ Choice Awards Set Stage for Innovation Award appeared first on FLYING Magazine.