Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. It felt like pushing it for that airplane, but checkrides are so hard to schedule I went. I finally learned to time the change of rudder direction better, straight as the nose wheel touches the ground, then as needed to stay upwind.

Knot 75

Knot Crosswind Rudder Runway 75

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 18, 2023

By Jordan Bullock CFI, Boeing 737 Pilot The first experience most people have in a small airplane is a discovery flight with a flight instructor. While going on a discovery flight is surely the beginning of your aviation journey, becoming a Certified Flight Instructor , or CFI, is typically the first job for pilots.

Checkride 52

Checkride Rudder Airplanes Pilot 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

Pilots are known for liking speed, whether it’s in an aircraft, motorcycle, or boat. Let’s look at the basics of slow flight: what it is, why we practice it as pilots, and the fundamentals of performing slow flight. You can study more on the aerodynamics of slow flight in Chapter 5 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

Checkride 52

Checkride Airplanes Pilot AGL 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Lazy eights sound like the least challenging commercial checkride maneuver to learn. Despite the easygoing name, many pilots find lazy eights harder than they thought. There’s a reason why it’s been a commercial pilot practical test staple for decades. The amount of rudder required depends on roll rate and airspeed.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. Feeling overwhelmed by this challenging maneuver?

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Key Takeaways Slow flight trains pilots to handle the aircraft at speeds just above stalling. Common mistakes include neglecting clearing turns, delaying stall recovery, and misusing the rudder. That’s why it’s crucial for pilots to learn aircraft control at low speeds. Pilots use reference stalling speeds instead.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

Northstar VFR

APRIL 21, 2024

By Jordan Bullock CFI, Boeing 737 Pilot Traditionally, becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (commonly abbreviated as CFI) has been a required step to build hours before inevitably leaving for a coveted airline gig. So, knock out that Commercial checkride, and hopefully in a relatively fast timeline, start on the CFI prep.

Checkride 55

Checkride Airplanes Pilot Crosswind 55