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

“Step on the ball!” You probably remember your flight instructor drilling this into you during initial flight training as a student pilot. When making a turn, we know that the ball (or white triangle if we’re flying a modern glass cockpit) of the turn coordinator is supposed to stay centered. If it’s off to the right or left, we are flying an uncoordinated turn and need to adjust our control inputs.

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.

The sport pilot license, or certificate, is the FAA’s newest addition to the pilot certificate line-up. Developed in 2007, the purpose of the sport pilot certificate is to make flying more affordable and easily available to everyone. Now students who aren’t yet able to afford the time investment or cost of a private pilot license have a quick and inexpensive alternative.

It’s the day you’ve been preparing for and perhaps also dreading. You’re excited to officially become a private pilot, and there is just one more major hurdle you need to jump through in order to do it – you need to pass your checkride.

You’ve been dreaming about this day for years, and you are finally about to take off on your first solo flight. It’s a proud moment that required planning, preparation and training. Now, let’s rewind that film and walk you through how you got there.