Pilot Shop Blog - Aviation Products, Education, History and More

The first airplane flap was developed in 1916, just over a decade after Kitty Hawk. Aircraft designers realized that wing flaps could be used to change the shape and therefore the aerodynamic performance of the wings during flight. Over the next century, multiple designs have been developed in the quest to achieve the perfect lift-to-drag ratio capabilities for all phases of flight from takeoff to landing.

In our world of increasingly digital cockpits, the iPad is a useful tool for both professional and general aviation pilots. Gone are the days of flipping through multiple paper sectionals on a long cross-country flight. Many pilots have embraced the Apple iPad, iPad mini, or another tablet device in lieu of paper charts for flight planning, in-flight navigation and more.

Calling all aircraft trivia buffs – what are the most produced aircraft of all time? Consider about both fixed wing and rotor craft from both the civil and military sectors worldwide. Then gather your pilot pals around, make your guesses and then read on to discover how many of the top twenty-two aircraft you named.

An aviation headset is one of the first pieces of equipment proud new student pilots will purchase. Not only does a headset serve as a communications device, but it also provides noise reduction and noise canceling features. These functions reduce background noise and cabin noise as well as decrease the risk of hearing loss over time.

Air show season has officially arrived and it is almost time to head to Lakeland, Florida for the annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Here’s what you need to know as you prepare to experience the second largest aerospace convention in the world.

When we think of the pilot in command, to us that usually means the person who is actually in the left seat flying the aircraft. This generalization is often true, but the details of who counts as the pilot in command (PIC) and when pilots can log pilot in command time, especially on a multi-pilot crew are not always that straightforward.

Imagine you arrive at the airport planning a quick hop to the rustic mountainside cabin you reserved for a weekend getaway. The only problem? The runway is socked in with fog as thick as pea soup, and it doesn’t look like it will be dissipating any time soon. Now what?

A safe, precise landing is the goal of every pilot at the end of their flight, and one of the keys to nailing that perfect landing is approaching it at the proper rate of descent.

Commercial cross-country flights may be long and boring, but there is one little feature that can all the difference. It has the power to distract you and make life in even the cramped middle seat of the coach cabin somewhat less arduous. What is this incredible invention? Wi-Fi.

It’s the worst-case scenario that none of us want to think about. During a winter flight, we had to make an emergency landing in a remote location where there is no cell service. Our radio was damaged in the landing, and the battery in the portable radio is dead.  We were flying VFR and did not file a flight plan, so no one with the FAA will know we are overdue when we fail to arrive at our destination. Now what?

Ask a racecar driver what their top speed is, and it is an easy answer. No calculations required. The same applies to a sprinter or marathon runner. Airspeed in the world of aviation, however, is a more complex topic. We have not just one type of airspeed, but many, and each has a different purpose.