Liz Brassaw
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Paper vs. Electronic Pilot Logbooks
There’s an app for that! It’s true most of the time, even in the cockpit of your aircraft. And true to form, one of the most tedious paperwork tasks that pilots have to complete has now been fully digitized. But are electronic logbooks a good idea? Has the time finally come to ditch that heavy,…
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What is Turbulence?
Flight turbulence can be very unnerving, even for seasoned pilots. However, turbulence is part of every pilot’s experience. Turbulence can be caused by irregular air motion that the aircraft is flying through. To pilots and passengers, it feels like a bump in the road. While most turbulence is just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous…
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Discover an Envoy Pilot Salary (and How to Get a Job as an Envoy Air Pilot)
Envoy Air is a U.S Regional airline founded in 1984 as American Eagle. It was a collection of regional airlines that carried the American Eagle brand name. In 2014 the company changed its name to Envoy Air. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group. Envoy travels to over 150 cities in North America. …
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Uncover an Air Wisconsin Pilot Salary (and How to Get a Job as an Air Wisconsin Pilot)
This article provides an overview of Air Wisconsin pilot pay, offering insights into the financial aspects of a career with the airline. With salaries varying based on flight hours and positions, from First Officers to Captains, understanding the pay scale is crucial for aspiring and current pilots alike. If you’re thinking about working as a…
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Faro AIR Review – Top of the Line In-Ear Aviation Headset
If you’re tired of literally being weighed down by your aviation headset, you might be drawn to the Faro Air In-Ear Headset. While an in-ear headset is radically different from an over-the-ear headset, sometimes radically different is exactly what you need! Faro AIR In-Ear Headset Introduction If you are used to flying with a classic…
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10 Best Flashlights and Headlamps for Pilots
In this post, I’ll share some of the best flashlights for pilots. A good quality flashlight is a flight bag essential. But you don’t want just any cheap light. You want a quality light you can depend on when you need it. Once you start flying at night you’ll need a nice light for your preflight…
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Faro G2 ANR Headset Review
A pilot’s headset choices have been set by budget for decades, and the Faro G2 ANR Headset disrupts that set budget. Most pilots agree that active noise reduction technology is worth the cost if you’re willing to spend the money. What if you’re a new student pilot? What would be the best aviation headset for…
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The Pilot’s Bill of Rights: How Does it Protect You?
The goal of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (PBR) is to give pilots rights during FAA enforcement actions. Before the Pilot’s Bill of Rights, pilots would struggle to understand enforcement actions and couldn’t access information that would help their defense. To understand the PBR, it’s important to understand the FAA’s structure and history. It’s a…
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Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset Review
If you’re shopping for a really nice headset, chances are you’ve narrowed your choices down to the Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset or the Bose A20 headset. Lots of pilots eye these two high-end headsets. Both are big-ticket purchases, but neither headset will disappoint. What makes them different from one another—and which aviation headset is best…
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The Best Flight Bags for Pilots | Pick the Perfect Bag
In this post I’m going to help you sort through the many flight bags for pilots and pick the perfect one for you. During my 10+ years of flying I’ve gone through several flight bags. While some flight bags were great, others were quickly returned. Whether you’re jumping in a Cessna for your very first…
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26 Best Gifts for Pilots
In this article I’m going to share some of the best gifts for pilots I can find (and some I’ve even gifted). For someone outside of aviation, shopping for the pilot in your life might seem a bit of a challenge. But here’s a secret—they like flying machines! So most of the gift ideas for…
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Aviation Must Reads: The 10 Best Books for Pilot
As a lifelong aviation enthusiast and now airline pilot I’ve read many books for pilots. So I put together some of my favorite aviation books I think every pilot will enjoy. Whether you’re a brand new pilot or have thousands of hours in your logbook, there’s always more to learn. I’ve broken these pilot books…
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10 Things You Can Do With a Private Pilot License
In this post we’ll share our top 10 things you can do with a private pilot license. If you’re a brand new private pilot or just getting started on your journey to become a private pilot this article will help you begin to enjoy the many benefits of holding a ppl. I’ve trained hundreds of…
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The Difference Between VFR vs IFR
When you first start flying, one of the most challenging concepts to pin down is the difference between IFR vs VFR. VFR and IFR are the two different sets of rules for piloting an aircraft. Pilots use these terms in all sorts of ways, from the type of airplane they’re operating to the weather at…
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4 Best Handheld Aviation Radios | The Best Radios for Pilots
In this post, we’ll take a look at the best handheld aviation radios and showcase two of the most popular brands: Icom vs Yaesu. One piece of backup equipment that you’ll find in many pilot bags is a handheld radio. If the possibility of a radio failure concerns you due to the equipment you fly…
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How to Pay for Flight School | 7 Popular Options from Students
In this post you’ll learn how to pay for flight school. To put this article together we looked at the most common ways our own students pay for their flight training. The demand for more commercial pilots seems to increase every year, and forecasts over the next 20 years are unprecedented. Boeing estimates the global demand for…
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Best Gear for Pilots | 13 Pilot Essentials You Need in Your Flight Bag
In this post I’m going to share the best pilot gear I carry with me on nearly every flight. Over the years the gear I carry in my flight bag has evolved and today, the items below are the things I consider pilot essentials. Once you’ve picked out the best flight bag you can find, it’s time…
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What Is an Airworthiness Directive?
Understanding airworthiness directives is vital for every pilot, especially airplane owners. Many people are familiar with recalls in the car world. Car makers work with their mechanics to develop service bulletins when a problem is noticed. If it’s a safety issue, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may get involved and require that all cars…
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What is the Restricted ATP
In this post we’ll answer the common question, what is a restricted ATP. It’s been a decade since the FAA changed the rules and mandated that Part 121 copilots must hold the ATP certificate—what was known as the 1,500-hour rule. This was a big change for the industry, where a Commercial certificate and 250 hours…
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Can Airplanes Fly in the Rain?
The simple answer is yes, airplanes can fly in the rain. Modern aircraft are designed to operate safely in a wide variety of conditions, including rain and snow. The most extreme example is the NOAA Hurricane Hunters, who fly right into some of the fiercest weather on the planet day in and day out. But…