The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

Are you looking to inspire and support a family member or friend who is embarking on the exciting journey of becoming a licensed pilot? Whether they're a student pilot or a passionate aviation enthusiast, you have the perfect opportunity to make their dreams take flight with a thoughtful gift.

In this article, we present a curated selection of 15 exceptional gift ideas that will not only delight but also empower those who aspire to conquer the skies.

Clouds are a very important indicator of aviation weather conditions. Kids enjoy finding bunnies and dinosaurs in the puffy white clouds on a summer day, but for pilots, clouds have a different story to tell.

Join us for a fun refresher on cloud categories, families, types, and what you need to know about each of the twelve most important kinds of clouds.

Picture this, you have your IFR rating and you're on an IFR flight plan down to Florida for some sun and relaxation on the beach. You're not too far from your final destination, and you decide to get in touch with ATC, but you notice that something isn't quite right—you've lost comms. In this article, we’ll cover what to do if communication is lost during an IFR flight plan. We will discuss lost comm procedures and more!

What do airline pilots and limo drivers have in common? Both do everything possible to give their passengers a smooth ride. While limo drivers are busy avoiding potholes in the streets, we pilots do our best to skirt invisible bumps in the sky.

That’s why today we’re covering turbulence, including the different types, causes, and severities plus how turbulence impacts aircraft and what we can do to avoid the bumps or smooth out a rough ride.

You've held the dream of taking to the skies for as long as you can remember, and your ambition is burning brighter than ever. You start researching flight schools and contacting them, and as you begin studying for the written exam, you realize that the FAA expects you to be aware of the regulations listed in Part 91.

Breaking through the aviation jargon can be intimidating, but don't worry—we'll help guide you through each of these parts in this article!

If you're a fan of heart-stopping aerial combat or stories of courage and adventure high above the clouds, this list is sure to remind you of some classics while introducing you to a few hidden gems.

Grab the popcorn and your remote as you settle in for your next pilot movie marathon. Did your favorite film make the cut? There’s only one way to find out.

The realm of aviation usually focuses on powerful engines and roaring propellers, but there is also a quieter, more graceful type of flight—gliding.

Whether you're interested in becoming a glider pilot or simply curious about how it works, this article will answer the question of "How Do Gliders Work?".

We know that it can be overwhelming at first to figure out which license is the best beginning or end goal based on your dreams for your future. That's why we've put together our comprehensive guide on pilot certificates and licenses!

Join us as we explore the different certification levels, the flight hours needed, and the nuances of each license. 

Listen: We get it – none of us enjoy looking in the mirror and analyzing our potential shortcomings, but with the FAA estimating that 75% of all aviation accidents are caused by human factors, it’s time to rip off the bandage and get honest. Let’s face the music, and find out what hazardous – and potentially deadly – attitudes we too may be unwittingly bringing to the cockpit.

Get ready to cozy up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and embrace the warmth of the holiday season! Finding the perfect Christmas gift for the aviation enthusiasts and pilots in your life can sometimes feel like navigating through turbulent skies.

But fear not, because we're here to make your gift-giving journey a smooth and delightful one. With our carefully curated list of 20 must-have Christmas gifts for pilots, you'll find options that fit every budget and are guaranteed to light up your favorite pilot's face with joy.

What in the world is “scud running?” If you are asking this question you are not alone. It may sound like something a Tusken Raider would do in a Star Wars landspeeder, but human pilots have been known to engage in scud running their rotary and fixed wing aircraft with mixed results.

What was unique about the Starship’s design? What caused the Starship to fail so spectacularly from a sales perspective, and what could Beechcraft have done differently? Where are the remaining Starships now and how many are still flying? What are the take-aways from its story?

Today we’ll explore the answers to these questions and more.

For cars, the answer lies in the speedometer, but for planes, the information comes from the airspeed indicator. In this article, we will look at the fundamentals behind this device and why it plays such a crucial role in flight planning. Ready? Let's get started!

Imagine sitting in a cozy cockpit, surrounded by an array of gauges and instruments. It's like being in the captain's chair of your own adventure. But here's the catch: having all those gauges is great, but if you're not entirely at ease with them or don't know how to use them effectively, it's like having a treasure map without a clue. In this article, we'll take you on a journey through the ins and outs of altimeters.