Situational Awareness | Including it in Flight Training
Archives for » Page 9The Importance of Situational Awareness in Fixed Wing Training Situational awareness (SA) is a vital flight skill, but unlike steep turns or short-field landings, it’s not something you can master in a single lesson. It must be developed over time, trained, reinforced, and evaluated. In airplane flight training, instructors should go […]
Situational Awareness | How to Regain It
Archives for » Page 9Situational Awareness Background Losing situational awareness can be both gradual and dangerous. Here’s the good news: situational awareness can be restored—often quickly—if the pilot or crew recognizes the warning signs and takes decisive action. Whether it’s during high workload conditions, unexpected weather, or task saturation in the cockpit, there are proven […]
Portable Fire Extinguishers for Aircraft Safety
Archives for » Page 9Classes of Fire and Portable Fire Extinguishers When you’re flying, safety is not just a priority—it’s a necessity. One critical but often overlooked safety tool onboard is the portable fire extinguisher. While rare, onboard fires represent some of the most dangerous scenarios a pilot might face. Knowing the types of fire […]
Wire Strike Safety for Helicopter Pilots
Archives for » Page 9Wire Strike Safety | Awareness and Prevention Wire strikes remain one of the most significant hazards for helicopter pilots around the world. Flying low-altitude missions often places helicopters in environments bristling with hidden threats—power lines, telephone cables, guy wires, and more. These wires can be extremely difficult to spot, even for […]
Ground Effect in Helicopter Operations
Archives for » Page 9What is Ground Effect? Ground effect is a phenomenon experienced by helicopters when operating near the surface, typically within one rotor diameter of the ground. It occurs due to the interaction between the rotor downwash and the ground surface, which reduces the induced drag and increases lift efficiency. This makes hovering […]
Careers in Aviation | From First Solo to the Flight Deck
Archives for » Page 9The Many Careers in Aviation For anyone dreaming of a career in aviation, the sky is literally the limit and there’s more than one way to success. Becoming a pilot isn’t just about flying for a major airline; it’s a progression through many exciting roles, each with its own requirements, challenges, […]
Careers in Aviation | What it Takes to Fly
Archives for » Page 9Careers in Aviation | Skills that Make a Great Pilot Learning to fly is one thing—but becoming a truly great pilot takes more than just logging hours or acing a checkride. Behind every confident takeoff and smooth landing is a set of personality traits and habits that make for a successful […]
Helicopter Training | Why Recurrent Training and Checkrides Matter
Archives for » Page 9Helicopter Training When it comes to helicopter training, safety and proficiency are not just goals; they are necessities. Whether you’re a seasoned aviator or just beginning to spread your rotor blades, recurrent training and checkrides play a central role in maintaining these standards. These practices aren’t merely about logging flight hours […]
Helicopter Training | How to Become a Rotary Wing Pilot
Archives for » Page 9Helicopter Training Flying a helicopter is exhilarating—but it’s also one of the most mentally and physically demanding forms of piloting. Whether you’re dreaming of flying for fun, firefighting, EMS, or VIP transport, becoming a helicopter pilot takes more than just desire. It takes commitment, quick thinking, strong hand/eye coordination, and thorough […]
Part 135 Rotor-Wing Ops | Beyond the Heliport
Archives for » Page 9Part 135 Helicopter Operations When most people think of Part 135 operations, they imagine business jets and air taxis, but helicopters are a critical, highly specialized corner of the Part 135 operations. From bustling cities to remote oil rigs, helicopter operators serve industries and agencies that airplanes simply can’t reach. While […]