The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

Becoming an airline pilot is the ultimate dream for many flight students. Along with the thrill of traveling on a daily basis, there is also the financial security that comes with the job. Let's examine the airline pilot pros and cons to determine if it lines up with your personal goals and interests.

For new student pilots, weather reports can be tricky to understand. They use terms that we don't often hear in our everyday lives. One of those terms is "cloud ceilings". This may seem like a strange phrase, but it's actually very important for new pilots to know if they want to read weather reports (METARs) correctly.

In this article, we'll break down what cloud ceilings are and help you understand them better.

As your jet plane turns onto the runway you eagerly anticipate the takeoff. Suddenly, you are startled by a loud bang and flash of fire from one of the engines. What's going on? Is everything alright?

In this article, we'll delve into the world of compressor stalls, what they are, how to handle them, and how to avoid them altogether.

Let's get into a flying maneuver that can make even the most seasoned private pilot break out in a cold sweat: power-off stalls.

These daunting maneuvers require precision and quick thinking, making them an important skill for any student or experienced pilot to master.

Get ready to learn all 13 steps of this nerve-wracking maneuver that keeps us all on our toes.

Pilot students at Part 61 flight schools may begin training on analog instruments in their early days, but as they advance they will likely have the opportunity to experience glass cockpits. Glass cockpits use computer technology with features such as interactive moving maps.

However, some pilots prefer steam gauges because they are more affordable for general aviation aircraft use. In this article, we'll investigate, which is better, analog or glass cockpits?

Let's explore and find out!

Congratulations on completing your flight training and meeting the 1500 flight hours rule! It's amazing how far you've come and now it's finally time for all your hard work to pay off. You've applied for a job as an airline pilot, and they're interested in having an interview with you. While this is exciting news, it also comes with some stress. That's why we have written this article. 

Did you know that if you intend to use your drone for commercial-related work you need a remote pilot certificate? Did you know that even recreational flyers need to pass a safety test? Many don't! You're required to pass a part 107 test in order to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.

But how exactly is this accomplished? We'll share with you all the steps you need whether you're interested in drones recreationally or want to get your drone license to build a lucrative career as a remote pilot!

The term "Contact Approach" might sound pretty straightforward, simply contact approach control on the designated frequency.

Unfortunately, that'd be the wrong assumption, this phrase refers to a specific type of approach request that IFR pilots must become familiar with in case they need it during landing at their destination airport.

In this article, we will get into all the details and clear up any confusion surrounding contact approaches.

Turbulence is caused by changes in altitude and atmospheric conditions and can subject aircraft to a variety of disturbances, requiring vigilance from air traffic control, concern from flight attendants, and raising worries about potential structural damage.

Learn more about the 7 types of turbulences every pilot should know!

In the wonderous domain of aviation, pilots depend on the magnetic compass as a steadfast guide through the boundless skies. While this instrument may appear uncomplicated, it conceals a tapestry of intricate errors that demand our scrutiny.

Within this article, we'll unravel the enigmas of compass errors and empower you with the wisdom to enhance safety and precision during your flights.

Join us as we navigate through learning about the various errors, and pave the way towards mastery and precision in aviation.

Behind every professional pilot is a student pilot who once started with a first logbook entry and a goal of earning a private pilot certificate. For many, that journey begins in some of the most affordable training airplanes, often a Cessna 150 or Cessna 152 (and sometimes the Cessna 172). They may look similar at first glance, but they aren’t the same aircraft. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the Cessna 150 and 152, two popular aircraft still used for flight training and personal ownership today. Let’s get into it. (By John Davies - Wikimedia Commons, GFDL...

Have you ever wondered why some planes can do acrobatic stunts while others can't? It all comes down to stability.

In this guide, we'll explain the basics of flight stability and how it impacts how an airplane flies. We'll cover three types of stability to help you understand how an aircraft behaves.

By the end, you will learn everything you need to know about flight stability characteristics and their importance in the design of aircraft.

Has the grey sky put a damper on your love of flying? Acing your IFR rating not only makes you an even more skillful pilot, but it also grants you priceless freedom. Of course, there's one area that many IFR learners have trouble with, decoding all those confusing IFR clearances and readbacks!

No problem though, we're here to help!

If you've ever studied how to read METARs, then you may have noticed an "R" symbol followed by a runway number. That's an RVR and only appears in a METAR when visibility is low. What does this tell us as pilots, why is it important?

In this article, we will discuss what RVR information means for pilots and why it is essential to comprehend them.

Let's get to it!

Have you been bitten by the aviation bug? Are you wondering about where are the best flight schools in the USA? We got you covered, we'll help you figure out everything from where to find the best flight school, and how to get your private pilot certificate all the way through to becoming an airline pilot.

Ready to begin your flight education journey? Let's get started!

Part of every student pilots training includes learning about navigation systems. One of those systems is a VOR. But what is it? Let's learn more about VORs and why it's important for pilots to understand how they operate.