The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

Are you curious about the inner workings of a Cessna 172 cockpit? In this guide we’ll take your through each control and instrument to boost your cockpit awareness. If you're just starting flight training as a student pilot or preparing for a checkout in a new aircraft with your instructor, this guide will help you become a knowledgeable and confident pilot.

While we all wish we had unlimited funds and that price was no factor in our choice of personal aircraft, the reality is that most would-be aircraft owners must stick within a certain budget when choosing their next plane. We are excited to share with you an updated version of our 2024 guide to affordable personal aircraft.

We can’t all be in real-world cockpits every day, so the next best option is a personal flight simulator. Home flight simulator setups can be as basic as the simulator software paired with your existing computer keyboard and mouse although serious flyers typically include dedicated hardware components like yokes, throttle quadrants, and rudder pedals in their simulator configurations. It is all up to you.

As a private pilot, it's likely that one of your main motivations was to avoid the long lines at the airport and have the freedom to fly anywhere you desire. But did you know that you can also construct your very own aircraft?

Homebuilt aircraft are becoming more and more popular these days with several different experimental aircraft kits on the market.

I had the opportunity to interview the Owner of Veloce, Dr. Jamie Fettig on how he's revolutionizing the market by creating a twin-engine DIY plane kit!

Intrigued? Read on for more!

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!

Are you or your child wanting to explore your passion for aviation? Get started on your flight training the right way by knowing the correct steps to take and the right materials to have on hand.

In this guide, we will cover the best student pilot essential items to have in your flight bag along with the right certifications and the requirements you’ll need.

Ready? Let’s get into 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!

In this article, we will explore primary, secondary, and even tertiary uses for the items included in a pre-packaged medical kit. Like any emergency, sometimes we must think outside the box, so here we go.

By the time we’re done, you’ll know what med gear you have onboard your plane and how to use it plus have ideas for bonus items to add.

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. 

Once you discover your passion and purpose in life, it is exciting. Anything that stands between you and your goal is an obstacle that you want to plow through – often as quickly as possible.