I am a Certificated Flight Instructor. I’m proud of that fact. The CFI ticket is a highly sought after indication of capability that opens the door for many of us to our first professional gig as a pilot. It takes considerable study and focus to earn a CFI ticket, or the instrument instructor (CFII), or […]
Pilots
Picture of the day: Beautiful scenery, a mug of Java…what else could a pilot want?
David Baldwin sent in this photo, noting: “Ahhh…enjoying a large mug of Java while out for a nice early morning flight, flying over the Eklutna hydro electric plant 34 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska, that began operation around 1954. “A 4.5 mile tunnel was bored through the mountain from Eklutna lake on the other side […]
And a pilot shall lead them
Education is a hot button issue in any election year. Yet it never gets any better, no matter what we’re promised. It’s my impression the electorate merely wants to hear someone make a promise, even if it’s an empty one. They’re looking for a cheerleader. Somebody to toss out platitudes and catch-phrases that give the […]
Model Code of Conduct released for pilots flying near unmanned aircraft
Flight Safety in the Drone Age (FSDA) has been released by the Aviators Model Code of Conduct Initiative’s Permanent Editorial Board. The publication offers voluntary guidance to advance the safety of flight when operating near unmanned aircraft also known as drones or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). The product of peer review within the manned and unmanned aviation […]
Video: Hooking the next generation on flying
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work revolves around the ability to take others aloft in a bright yellow and black Reimagined Cessna 152. The airplane is pretty much a stock C-152, not much different than those you’ve probably logged time in. What separates the airplane I fly from the one you flew […]
Pilot to attempt world record to increase awareness of wildlife conservation
On June 6, pilot Faisal Sultan will set off on an attempt to set a new world record circumnavigating the globe in a single engine aircraft within 26 days to raise awareness of international wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts. Faisal’s Flight for Wildlife aims to heighten international awareness of the threat of poachers, and the need […]
New degree program launches in Colorado
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College will launch a new associate degree program designed to prepare students for a career in aviation this fall. Students who successfully complete the two-year program, which includes traditional classes as well as ground and flight training, will graduate with about 240 flight hours and will […]
Top 5 Reasons to Get Airborne
I’ve never really understood why it’s true, but people seem to like lists for some reason. They’re forever buying magazines and clicking on hot links that will take them to The Top 3 Retirement Destinations in America, or The Top 5 Cars For 2016, or The Top 10 Reasons You Should Shop at Ralph’s. It’s […]
AOPA launches Personal Minimum Contracts
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released Personal Minimum Contracts for both VFR and IFR pilots. The program helps pilots document personal minimums to become the basis for a contract pilots make with themselves. “Personal Minimum Contracts will help VFR and IFR pilots take some of the guess work out […]