The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

Flying comes with certain risks. After all, we as humans aren’t physically designed to soar through the skies alongside birds. Biology would say that we were meant to stay planted firmly on the ground.

Still, to reach for the skies seems to be part of our DNA, so how do we do that in as safe a way as possible? Is there anything we can do to make aviation less risky?

Imagine personal hover cars and other small flying transports navigating the skies just above major cities. It may sound like the backdrop for a science fiction movie or an episode of Star Trek, but as aircraft designs and technology continue to evolve, we are moving ever closer to that reality.

When it comes to aviation communication, airband radios are essential tools for ensuring safety and effective coordination between pilots and ground control.

In this Icom A25 review, we'll dive into the features and differences among Icom's handheld airband radio models: the Icom A25C Sport, Icom A25C, and Icom A25N.

This will help potential buyers make informed decisions when choosing the right radio for their needs.

Join us on a journey through aviation history with the Grumman Goose. From its inception as a commuter aircraft for New York's elite to its wartime utility and post-war commercial service, the Goose's story is one of innovation and adaptability.

Learn about its key design features, rich history, and diverse variants–read on for a flight through time and technology that shaped the iconic Grumman Goose.

The bearer of an ominous name, "Coffin Corner" sounds eerily spooky, but it need not be. The airplane behaviors within the coffin corner are all governed by several known aerodynamic factors.

Once the interaction between these factors is explained and understood, Coffin Corner becomes much more predictable and navigable for the skilled pilot.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced fatigue. Is everyone’s hand up? Good. Now keep it up if you’ve ever piloted an aircraft while fatigued. That’s what we thought.

Naturally lack of sleep is a factor, but low-quality sleep, stress, poor health, dehydration, disrupted circadian rhythms from jetlag and night flying, plus commuting and extended layovers also play a role.

What can you do to keep from dozing off mid-flight?

Even pilots who already own their own aircraft may choose to rent for various reasons - whether it's to test out a new model or for a specific type of flight that their own plane isn't suitable for.

Naturally, the questions of "how do I rent a plane" and "how much does it cost" arise. Pilots looking to rent also want to know where to go and how to get the best deal on a rental.

In this article, we'll discuss all the important factors you need to consider before renting a plane.

The need to see our surroundings is non-negotiable when flying under visual flight rules (VFR). Without proper visibility, pilots are at increased risk for collisions on takeoffs, landings, and mid-air. Therefore we must fly solely in areas with visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and avoid instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) when flying VFR. To promote safe flight, the FAA has established weather minimums and airspace visibility requirements that VFR pilots must observe.

When it comes to flight safety, there's a mantra every pilot—whether they're a 1000+hr seasoned pro or a budding student pilot—swears by: "IMSAFE." This isn't just another term from the FAA regulations manual, it's a foundational principle taught early on in flight training by every certified flight instructor.

In this article, let's take a deep dive into what IMSAFE is all about and why it's the secret sauce to help you fly safely.

Long gone are the wild west days of purchasing a drone online and immediately taking to the skies with no training, no license, no registration, and not so much as even a glance at the owner’s manual. 

For those who have always dreamt of becoming a pilot, this article is for you. We'll address the most common questions that aspiring pilots have about obtaining their student pilot certificate, which is the first step towards achieving that coveted solo flight.