The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

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!

As pilots, we often focus on the technical aspects of our job, like testing the engine during the run-up process. Understanding a particular engine type and how it works can greatly benefit a pilot. In this guide, we'll take a deep dive into turboprop engines and piston engines.

Have you ever wondered how is a helicopter different from an airplane? In this article, we will deep dive into the key distinctions between helicopters and airplanes, studying their unique characteristics and uncovering the reasons why these aircraft, though sharing the same airspace, cater to different aviation needs.

As a passenger, going on a journey across countries with different airlines is a thrilling adventure that fuels our wanderlust. As we gaze out the window to enjoy the view, it's easy to forget the intricate planning and calculations that make this extraordinary experience possible.

While a passenger can simply enjoy the ride, those of you who want to become pilots need to know what it takes to be in the pilot's seat when it comes to flight planning. Let's plan ahead for your trip, this article will guide you through the process of calculating flight time.

Are you ready to take your flight training to the next level? Ground reference maneuvers are an important part of mastering the skies! With this in mind, let's explore "turns around a point". It's exactly what it sounds like: you'll be flying in circles for an hour at a time. While it may seem superfluous, there is actual value to this exercise.

In this guide, we'll walk through why learning turns around a point is important and provide step-by-step instructions on how to perfect it.

Flying is exciting, but being prepared makes all the difference. A pilot’s flight bag is like their toolbox, packed with everything they need to have a successful trip.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a pilot’s bag or how to pick the best one, let’s explore it in a simple and fun way.

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.

One thing that I can say about my journey with becoming a pilot has been the realization of how much information we have to memorize. Trust me, it's a lot. Part of the oral examination process is proving how many rules, regulations, and requirements you remember and can relay off the top of your head.

In this guide, we'll explore all the most important acronyms every pilot needs to know.

Let's get to it!

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.

There are certain skills that professionals pull off with grace and finesse making them seem deceptively easy to the untrained eye. Landing an aircraft is one of those skills. It may look easy, but we all know the saying, “A good landing is one you can walk away from. A great landing is one after which you can use the aircraft again.” Clearly it isn’t quite so easy, is it?

Vortex generators (or VGs) are small aerodynamic devices that enhance the performance of aircraft, wind turbines, and even some ground vehicles.

When they energize the boundary layer and delay flow separation, they help improve the lift, control response and stall characteristics.

Want to know more? Let's explore how vortex generators work.

The mixture control is what can help to maximize the performance of your aircraft. Learning more about carbureted engines can help if you trying to manage your fuel economy, and avoid engine damage.

In this guide let’s explore how mixture controls impact your engine’s performance and what you need to know about fine-tuning the fuel-air ratio for various conditions.

The Pitot-static system powers critical flight instruments like the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and VSI, but in general aviation aircraft, it's more prone to failure due to limited redundancy. Failures caused by ice, debris, or human oversight can lead to misleading readings and dangerous situations. This article explores how to identify and prepare for these scenarios.

Being a pilot is so much more than just steering a plane, it means that you are committed to safety, preparedness, and meeting the strict pilot currency requirements. You want to ensure that you're not just capable, but fully equipped to navigate the skies and provide a danger-free experience for those onboard.

Pull out your logbooks, because it's time to check if we're set to take on the responsibility of carrying passengers, and reignite the passion for flight.

Shall we begin?