Author: Brian Brassaw
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How Much Does a Cessna 172 Skyhawk Cost: An in Depth Look
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is among the most popular and iconic airplanes for aspiring pilots and seasoned aviators alike. Understanding its cost both in purchasing and maintaining the aircraft is crucial for those thinking about buying one. In 2023, a brand new Cessna 172 Skyhawk carries a price tag of around $432,000. However, for those […]
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Rudder: What is it, and How Does it Work?
“More right rudder!” Who among us hasn’t heard those words, the favorite phrase of flight instructors everywhere? To better appreciate your instructor’s sentiments, here’s a deep dive into all things rudder. What is the rudder, what does it do, and why is it there? And, for goodness sake, why is my CFI so wound up […]
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Flaps – What are They, and How Do They Work?
Anyone who has flown on an airliner and looked out over the wing during flight is probably familiar with flaps. They come out of the wing, a sure sign that you’re slowing down for landing. The wing grows and changes shape in fascinating ways. Not all planes have flaps, but most do. And while the […]
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What are the Best Flight Simulator Controls – Yokes, Throttles, and Rudder Pedals
Here’s a look at the best flight simulator controls for an at-home simulator. There are others, of course–especially on the high end, for use at training facilities. But this sampling will get you started. With the suggestions made here, you can make your home simulator into anything you want it to be. Our previous articles […]
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Elevator: What Is It and How Does It Work?
The elevator is arguably the most important of the three primary flight controls. It is, after all, the one that gets you up off the ground. And once you’re off the ground, it’s the one that makes the aircraft stable and keeps you flying at your altitude. It’s one of the basic components of flight. […]
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Do Pilots Get Drug Tested?
As with most safety-related jobs, professional pilots get drug tested for employment. Airline and charter pilots are also subject to the same Department of Transportation random drug testing programs that other industries have. Positive tests are taken very seriously and are grounds for being suspended or fired from the job. But not all pilots are […]
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How to Set Up a Flight Simulator at Home
Your home simulator setup can be as simple or as complex as you want. For example, you might start with nothing more than a laptop and a joystick. Then, as you progress further in your training or find that you enjoy the flight sim, you might add more monitors or realistic controls. Home simulator setups […]
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Flying Basics – A Guide for New Pilots
In this article we’re going to cover flying basics; how airplanes fly and the basic parts of an airplane. They say that the flying is the easy part. Once you start diving into the books and studying aerodynamics, you’ll quickly realize what they mean. But there’s good news: flight instructors have been doing this for […]
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How to Replace Your Lost or Stolen Private Pilot’s License
Misplaced your Private Pilot’s License and don’t know where to start when it comes to getting it back? The feeling of losing your license can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. It’s not as inconvenient or annoying as it seems to replace the one you lost. The FAA has made replacing your Private Pilot License a […]
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Can Airline Pilots Have Beards and Tattoos?
A simple question with no simple answer. Matters of grooming and style are oven interwoven with ethical issues of inclusivity and equality, religious reasons and cultural expectations. In aviation, these questions go even deeper. Is it even safe for pilots to have long beards? How will an inked pilot reflect on the company as a […]
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JetBlue Pilot Salary | How to Get a Job as a Pilot for JetBlue
In this post I’ll share how to become a pilot for JetBlue and how much you can earn. About JetBlue JetBlue Airways is a U.S passenger airline that was started in 1998. JetBlue carries over 35 million customers per year to over 100 cities in the U.S, Caribbean, and Latin America. JetBlue averages about 930 flights per […]
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All the Stalls a Private Pilot Needs to Know
In this article, we’re going to take a look at all the stalls a private pilot should know. For many people learning how to become pilots, stalls are one of their biggest concerns. Stalls are a perfect example of why ground school is actually pretty important. All those hours you spend learning aerodynamics aren’t so […]
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Mesa Airlines Pilot Salary | How to get a job as a Mesa Pilot
Learn what it takes to become a pilot at Mesa Airlines in this article. About Mesa Airlines Being founded by a family, Mesa airlines is known as a small family-owned airline. They are a regional airline that was founded in 1980 by Larry Risley and his wife Janie. As the name suggests, they are based […]
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Alaska Airlines Pilot Salary | How to Get a Job as a Pilot at Alaska Airlines
In this post I’ll share what it takes to become a pilot at Alaska Airlines. About Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines traces their roots to 1932 with two companies, McGee Airways, and Star Air Service. The two merged completely, in addition to a few smaller airlines, in 1944, to form today’s Alaska Airlines. By the end […]
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Allegiant Pilot Salary | How to Get a Job as a Pilot at Allegiant Air
In this article learn about becoming a pilot at Allegiant Air and how much you could earn. About Allegiant Air Allegiant Air is a U.S. Passenger airline that was founded in 1997 as WestJet Express. After losing a dispute with WestJet Air Center in South Dakota, they changed their name to Allegiant Air. Allegiant has […]
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PSA Airlines Pilot Salary | How to Get a Job as a PSA Airlines Pilot
PSA Airlines was founded as Vee Neal Airlines in 1980; they now operate on behalf of American Airlines as American Eagle. PSA travels to over 100 different locations in North America. Currently, 2,000 pilots work at PSA Airlines and nearly 700 flights per day. Where are PSA Airlines Hubs? What airplanes are in the PSA […]
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What is an ATP Certificate?
The ATP, or Airline Transport Pilot, certificate is the highest pilot license level issued by the FAA. As such, it’s sometimes called the “doctorate of flying.” What is the ATP? As the name suggests, the certificate is designed to be the license you need to fly for the airlines or charter operators. But anyone can […]
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10 Trailblazing Female Pilots To Know For Women Of Aviation Week
Women Of Aviation Week is from March 6th through the 12th of this year. The event is put on by iWOAW (Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide), an organization dedicated to changing the face of aviation. During the week, the group sponsors Fly It Forward events and scholarship opportunities to expose young girls to aviation […]
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How To Get an FCC License
In aviation, we spend a lot of time discussing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the associated rules and regulations. But there are other agencies and rules at play sometimes. One of those times is when you use aviation radios. Radios fall under the regulatory guidelines of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the FCC […]
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What Are the Best Flight Simulators? Microsoft Flight Simulator vs. X-Plane
Flight simulators can be great aids to help you with flight training. No matter what type of computer you have at home, you can download one of these programs and get flying in moments. There are really only two choices for realistic flight simulators–Microsoft and X-Plane. Here’s a detailed look at the two and how […]