Aviator

Congratulations Michael on First time Pass CFI

2011-04-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

Aviator College would like to congraulate Michael on his CFI Checkride. Way to go Michael

Distributed by IntelBuilder Social Media Platform

Why FAA Safetfy Regulations are Important to Know During Flight Training

2010-07-12T09:21:00.001-04:00

If you are aspiring to be a pilot, it is important during your flight training to pay attention to safety regulations and directives passed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Being a pilot can be a dangerous job and if operating aircraft is your dream, be sure to consider all of the factors involved.

Window Inspections

As recently as July 9, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the Federal Aviation Administration said US operators of Boeing Co. 757, 767, and 777 aircraft must inspect or replace the forward-facing cockpit windows. There is a risk of fire caused by loose electrical connections used to heat the window to prevent ice from forming.

In the past two decades, there were only 11 reports of fire or flames. The most recent incident was on May 16 when a United Airlines 757 was forced to make an emergency landing at Washington Dulles International Airport.

The airworthiness directive is assigning operators to being with inspections within 500 flight hours, or simply install a new, redesigned window. The FAA announced the intentions for the Boeing 747’s later this year. Although there have not been any reported fires, the windows are very similar.

The directive covers 1,212 US aircraft and will cost carriers about $103,020. The directive is in effect today, July 13.

Recent Aircraft Accident

According to the Aviation Safety Network the most recent fatal accident involving a Boeing aircraft, occurred in India. A Boeing 737-800 passenger plane operated by Air India Express, was destroyed when it crashed while landing at Mangalore-Bajpe Airport.

Preliminary reports suggest that the airplane overran the runway and slid down a wooded valley, bursting into flames. There were 160 passengers and six crew members on board. Only eight occupants survived the accident.

Flight Training Safety

Safety is likely the most important aspect of flight training you will take away from flight training school. Websites like the Aviation Safety Network and the FAA can help you stay up to date with passing regulations and accident occurrences during your flight training.

What Kind of Professional Pilot Program to Look for in Flight Training

2010-07-07T10:18:00.000-04:00

Becoming a pilot is a serious career commitment. The airline industry holds very high standards for their professional pilots so it is very important to choose a flight training program that will educate you with a structured, effective curriculum.

Find an intensive and challenging flight training program that will provide what the airline industry demands of future professional pilots.

Professional Pilot Programs

There are important factors to look for when choosing a flight training school. Some of these include academic training in an organized environment, valuable ground and flight training, and a superior campus with housing facilities.

In terms of how long your professional pilot program training will last, quality flight training schools provide a minimum of 520 hours of instruction, and require at least 250 hours of actual flight. If you are training to be a professional pilot, at least 200 of those hours will be logged in a multi-engine aircraft. A good school will not log any of your flight hours in a flight simulator, or flight training device.

Aircraft & Maintenance

Generally a large fleet of aircraft is also an important factor to consider when searching for a good flight training school for you. Aviator College has a fleet of 14 multi-engine and 12 single engine aircraft.

The aircraft primarily used during training are the Beechcraft BE-76 and the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. The fleet also includes a Piper Arrow and a J-3 Cub. All aircraft are equipped for VFR and IFR flight (with the exception of the J-3 Cub, which is VFR Day only).

The aircraft are maintained in the maintenance facilities in St. Lucie County International Airport. Aviator has its own in-house maintenance facility as well, it is a 13,000 square foot environmentally approved hangar open six days a week. All maintenance technicians hold Airplane and Powerplant Certificates or better.

How the Mobile Boarding Pass is Changing the Airline Industry

2010-07-06T09:18:00.001-04:00

Several airlines are now adopting mobile boarding passes. American Airlines has given passengers the option of having boarding passes sent directly to a mobile device on select flights since November 2008.

Mobile boarding passes were introduced as a partnership with TSA and are currently available for American Airlines and American Eagle flights from 42 airports including Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, Denver, Las Vegas, New York LaGuardia, Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle.

American recently added its mobile boarding pass functionality at Reagan Washington National, San Jose International, Colorado Springs, and London Heathrow airports.

How does it work?

The mobile boarding pass has a barcode that can be scanned at security checkpoints and American’s gates. Passengers have the ability to scan their smartphone screens when going through security and boarding the aircraft.

Customers who choose to check bags can even use the mobile pass by scanning their smartphone screens at American’s self-service kiosks, ticket counters, or even curbside check-in facilities.

According to the American Airlines website, a mobile boarding pass is available to eligible travelers only. Travelers must be on eligible itineraries with only one passenger listed on the record locator.

How to use the mobile boarding pass

Here is a 4-step process explained on the American Airlines website, describing how to use the mobile boarding pass option:

Check in on AA.com and choose the “Email for use on Cell phone or other Mobile Device” option. Include the email address for your web-enabled phone.

Check your email from your mobile device and follow the link on the email to retrieve your mobile boarding pass.

Save the boarding pass to your device by clicking the “Save Boarding Pass” button below the barcode to save it to your phone for easy access at the security checkpoint.

Proceed to security and make sure the entire barcode is visible on your smartphone screen. Be sure the backlight setting is on the brightest level possible.

If there are any issues, you still have the option to print a paper copy of your boarding pass at the self-service kiosks.

Who is using the mobile boarding pass?

Trinity mobile, a leading company behind the mobile boarding pass option, announced in March 2010 that there has been a 1200% increase in usage from 2008 to 2009. There were 50,000 travelers using the mobile boarding pass in 2008, and that number exploded to 600,000 by 2009.

2010 is expected to distribute over 2 billion mobile boarding passes, exceeding 15 billion by 2014.

Aviation is a world leader in technology, and is growing at an exponential rate.
Who knows what they'll come up with next?

What You Learn About Flying in Thunderstorms at Flight Training School

2010-06-30T10:03:00.000-04:00

During flight training, you will learn why it is important toavoid thunderstorms during flight. There are several dangers involved,each of which can have a different effect on aircrafts. Flighttraining will educate you about the dangers of thunderstorms, aswell as teach you precautionary maneuvers.

Thunderstorm dangers

Thunderstorms are common, noticeable, and dangerous. The are a part of our atmosphere all over the globe. With deadly lightning, hurricanes, and high winds that can even result in tornadoes, thunderstorms can be the biggest weather-related danger known to mankind. So what dangers do pilots know to avoid when flying aircrafts during thunderstorms?

Here are a few of the known dangers that accompany thunderstorms.

Updrafts and Downdrafts

Updrafts and Downdrafts are the vertical movements of air due to difference in temperature. If a pocket of air is warmer than the surrounding air, it will move up to find air warmer or less dense. Cold air will move down to find balance as well. Movement of large volumes of air can create large thunderstorm causing clouds.

Turbulence

Turbulence can be invisible, so pilots must use their instruments, radars, and intuition to be able to detect levels of turbulence. By using their radars, they can detect the levels of moisture in the air. Generally, pilots choose to go for the gap in between storm clouds. It is even more dangerous at night because you can’t see clouds at all.

Wind shear

Wind shear is defined as short quick changes in wind direction. This phenomenon can significantly affect take-off and landing of an aircraft by causing loss of control of the aircraft. Wind shear has caused many accidents involving fatalities in the US.

Hailstones

Hailstones can heavily damage airplanes. Hailstones are capable of breaking windshields and damaging turbine blades in jet engines.

On April 4, 1977, a Southern Airways DC-9 crashed in New Hope, GA. Both engines of the plane ingested hail and lost thrust (forward movement powered by the engine). The plane crashed into a road and caught on fire. 62 of 85 people on board were killed as well as eight people on the ground.

Rain

Rain has been known to be heavy enough to drown jet engines. Once an engine fails, pilots have been trained during flight training on how to make an emergency landing. The plane will glide for miles before the pilot is forced to touch ground.

Lightning

Lightning can temporarily blind pilots, or even hit airplanes. However, aircrafts are mostly protected from electrical damage because the majority of aircrafts are made of aluminum, which can be a good electrical conductor.

The only crash in the last 50 years known to happen because of lightning was on December 8, 1963. A lightning bolt hit the Pan Am Flight 214, a Boeing 707 that was holding over Elkton, Md. The lightning caused a spark that ignited fuel vapor, causing an explosion that caused the plane to crash, killing all 81 people aboard.

In addition to all your aviation curriculum, you will learn basic weather formations and aeronautics. This is important information you will carry with you for the rest of your life. This is what makes flight training school an experience you'll never forget.

What Exactly Does Air Traffic Control Do?

2010-06-24T09:36:00.001-04:00

During flight training, you will learn a lot about the dynamics of Air Traffic Control. Air Traffic Control is a regulation service who direct aircraft from the ground by radio and GPS communication. ATC’s main priority is to prevent aircraft collision.

ATC directs and regulates the flow of aircraft traffic and provides information and assistance for pilots when needed. However, ATC is directed by people and can occasionally succumb to human error. To counterpart this, aircrafts now have collision avoidance systems installed to act as a security precaution against ATC observation.

The word of ATC is not necessarily set in stone. Pilots are able to deviate from ATC instructions in the event of an emergency.

Airport Traffic

Traffic tends to build up around airports because in order for an aircraft to land, the runway must be totally clear. This means that whatever aircraft before must have already touched down, slowed, and exited the runway before the waiting aircraft can cross the beginning of the runway.

Landing takes about one to four minutes depending on the aircraft. Airports have time allotted for 30 arrivals per hour. Unless the airport is built with two different arrival runways, then it would have time for 60 arrivals every hour.

If there is congestion on the arrival runway, the aircraft may be delayed. The pilot would be forced to remain holding over a location until given permission to land. Holding can be avoided with the growth of today’s technology. Now that pilots can predict the traffic at their arrival destination, they may choose do delay takeoff from their departure destination or even fly slower.

Weather

Weather conditions can be a major factor in aircraft traffic. Rain or snow on the runway can cause everything to slow down and require more time in between arrivals.

Thunderstorms can be a big factor because aircraft are guided to go around them. However if there are several thunderstorm cells in one area, all aircrafts will be attempting to fit through the same open area between them, causing serious traffic danger.

By training to be a pilot at flight training school, you will learn about regulations, safety, how to operate an aircraft, as well as the importance of Air Traffic Control.

What Flight Training Teaches You About Night Flying

2010-06-23T09:19:00.001-04:00

During flight training, you will learn everything from flying under VFR conditions to IFR conditions, and even night flying. Night flying can be jarring, so it is important to have a clear understanding of the rules and regulations of night flying that you learn in flight training school.

Physiologically, human beings are designed to operate at maximum capacity during daylight hours. Night flying can be a trying experience that requires the perfection of a set of skills that aren’t necessarily required during the day.

Almost all flight time logged by the average pilot occurs during the daytime. Due to this fact, revisiting night flying techniques is an important part of safety precautions.

Vision

Most pilots know the basic fundamental physiological requirements of night flying. The most important part is to adapt our eyes for darkness. Anatomically, we have photopic vision for daytime and scotopic vision for nighttime. As for the cones and rods in our retinas, 7 million thicker cones are used for daytime vision and 120 million thinner rods are used for night vision.

Your eyes literally need to change their physiological makeup to adjust for the lack of lighting. Dark adaptation refers to the adjustment your eyes are experiencing that makes them more sensitive to light. Generally, dark adaptation takes 30 minutes in total darkness. However, dim red cockpit lighting can help you achieve dark adaptation in 20 minutes.

Several factors can impair or influence your vision. Some of these may include cabin altitude pressure above 5,000 ft, smoking, exhaust fumes, temperature, humidity, and even a vitamin A deficiency.

*TIP - if a light is being used in the cockpit (a flashlight), close one eye to preserve some level of night vision.

Lighting

Every pilot should carry at least two flashlights, extra batteries, and a penlight for his or her pocket.

Pilots should be sure that all required aircraft lights for night flying are functioning normally. Be sure to double check these during your walk-around.

The position lights (or navigation lights) must be on at all times if operating anytime from sunset to sunrise. These lights include the left wing which is red, the right wing which is green, and the aft or tail which is white. Anti-collision lights (strobe-lighting) are also required for night and day operations both.

Flight training

In order to prepare and learn the skills necessary for night flying, you must work hard during flight training to understand all of the fundamentals. Generally flight simulators are the best supplement to training for night flying. By learning with the night simulation at your flight training school, you will be efficiently equipped for night flying.

How to prepare for a solo flight during flight training

2010-06-22T09:09:00.000-04:00

Before you are able to fly as solo pilot, you must have developed and perfected a set of skills involving the aircraft. These skills should be mastered and turned into second nature. You will experience all of these tasks by learning to fly under favorable weather conditions at your chosen flight training school.

According to Federal Aviation Regulations mandate 61.87,

Maneuvers and procedures for pre-solo flight training in a single-engine aircraft. A student pilot who is receiving training for a single-engine airplane rating must receive and log flight training for the following maneuvers and procedures with the assistance from you flight instructor:

Proper flight preparation procedures, including pre-flight planning and preparation, powerplant operation, and aircraft systems
Taxiing or surface operations, including runups
Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind
Straight and level flight, and turns in both direction
Climbs and climbing turns
Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures
Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance
Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations
Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight
Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall
Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions
Ground reference maneuvers
Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions
Slips to a landing
Go-arounds

Many flight training students become frustrated in anticipation for their first flight. They must wait for suitable weather conditions and favorable circumstances. It can be draining to schedule your first solo flight and then be unable to go through with it because of changes in the weather. One student on The Student Pilot Forum describes his wait:

I flew with our chief instructor about a week ago and he said I had some great approaches followed by just about the worst landings he'd ever seen. But I know that the throttle make you go up and pulling back on the yoke makes the plane slow down, so he judged I was safe enough to be able to fly by myself at least a little.

Now if we could just get rid of the TSRA [thunderstorms] from the forecast. Cancelled yesterday and later saw a thunderstorm less than 5 miles from the airport, winds on the AWOS [Aviation Weather System] were 15G25. I know I'd rather be down here wishing I was up there, but that doesn't make being down here easy. I wish the clouds would dry up.

Hoping really hard for no rain tomorrow...or Sunday...or next Wednesday...”

Frequently Asked Questions about Flight Training

2010-06-21T09:40:00.000-04:00

Beginning your flight training is an exciting time full of questions and curiosity. Many people have similar concerns, so here are a few comprehensive answers to help you have a more clear understanding of what is going on, now that you've decided to make a commitment to flight training.

How old is TOO old to begin flight training?

As long as you pass the medical requirements and receive your medical certificate, you can never be too old to learn! People in their fifties make up almost 25% of all US pilots. Many people choose to learn to fly when they retire. The average age of flight training student pilots is 35. The average age of active pilots is 45.

Will I have the same Instructor the whole time during flight training?

Generally we try to keep students with the same flight instructor for most of the program to keep a consistent teaching plan. Many instructors have a different method of teaching and to maximize the learning experience, you should stay with the same instructor throughout the program. However, before you begin flying solo, or during your checkride, you are to fly with a different instructor.

How do I enroll online?

Follow these 5 easy steps to enroll online:

Schedule a visit and an interview with admissions.
Complete the Online Application & Deposit Form, your deposit will be held on your student account and wills secure your enrollment date.
All students submit a $1000 deposit.
International students will be issued the I-20 upon receipt of the online application & deposit form, which should be taken to the US Embassy in your country for approval. Remember we must have a complete physical address in order to have a courier service deliver the I-20. There is an additional $500 deposit for visa processing. Inform the school of your arrival date and flight information two weeks prior to arrival. A representative will meet you at the airport to welcome you to the USA and Aviator College.
Submit by email, fax, or mail all required eligibility documentation including an official transcript stamped, sealed, and sent directly from all colleges attended, copies of any pilot certificates received, college entrance examination scores (ACT, SAT, CLAST, or equivalent), TOFEL scores (if required), a 500 word essay entitled “Why I Want To Be A Pilot” and any material that will help the registrars office determine eligibility for enrollment and transfer credit.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner - from blueprints to blue skies

2010-06-18T10:04:00.001-04:00

Boeing has leapt miles into the future. With the newly developed Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the all electric, all composite aircraft, continuing to undergo several tests and even the first few flights, Boeing has received an incredible amount of press coverage and positive attention.

If you choose to be a commercial pilot, you will learn during flight training all the technicalities of flighing an airliner jet and maybe someday you'll have an opportunity fly the awesomeness that is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The idea for this primarily-electric aircraft has been in progress since 2002. Boeing has made very bold choices in the design of the airplane and the system’s architecture. Here is a list according to the 787 Dreamliner Flight Testing website, of milestones Boeing has achieved since the beginning of this project.

Power On

June, 2008

Power On is a multi-stage process bringing power on to an all-new commercial jetliner for the first time. There is approximately 60 miles of wiring stretched throughout the airplane. The first elements to receive power are the fans so that the electronics are properly cooled. After several complicated steps, the remote power distribution system is verified as operational.

Gear Up

August, 2008

Many different systems are installed and implemented to make the landing gear work. These systems include the common core system, the remote power distribution system, the landing gear system, they hydraulics system, and everything working together in order to extend and retract the landing gear system. Because the gear swing is being controlled by wires, it is lighter and much more efficient than anything before.

Wing Break Test

September, 2008

The wings of the aircraft were replicated and scaled in order to test the wing load. A weight was steadily increased in 10 percent increments, all the way to 150 percent limit. Once the wing was loaded beyond the 150 percent limit, it snapped, representing a first for the aviation industry. This was the exact location engineers expected the wing to fail, bringing the team that much closer to the construction of the 787.

Move To Field

May, 2009

The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner moved from the paint hangar out to the fuel dock at the Boeing facility in Everett, Washington to begin fuel testing. Now on the flight line, the aircraft will undergo additional airplane power and systems tests as well as engine runs. After completing final systems checks and high-speed taxi tests, the airplane will be ready for first flight. The 787 Dreamliner has orders for 886 airplanes from 57 customers.

Gauntlet Test

June, 2009

The aircraft is operated for 24/7 for an extended period of time in simulated ground and flight modes. The focus of this test is on determining the robustness of the system and its ability to sustain operations during flight. Also different single and multiple failure situations were simulated. All systems were validated and approved for flight testing.

High Speed Taxi Test

December 12, 2009

Taxi testing is the last test before flight testing. It is a fully operational test that gives a complete and comprehensive perspective on the integrated systems of the aircraft. With two pilots and 14 engineers to monitor all the systems on the aircraft, the 787 taxied at high speeds at an exceptional level.

First Flight Test

December 21, 2009

The first Boeing 787 ever created, affectionately named ZA001, experienced its first flight on December 21, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. for three hours before the rain forced test pilots Mike Carriker and Randy Neville to land. Both pilots called the flight “flawless.” They reached an altitude of 31,200 feet.

What They Don't Teach You in Flight Training - In-flight Emergencies

2010-06-17T09:35:00.001-04:00

The worst possible scenario for a pilot would have to be a forced landing. Hypothetically if all engines were to unexpectedly fail whether due to some catastrophe or pilot-induced failure like fuel starvation or exhaustion, it is in the pilots hands to make the landing as survivable as possible.

Based on an article by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, I have collected a few tips and points to remember if you ever find yourself in an in-flight emergency situation. This is the real stuff you hear about during flight training, but hopefully you’ll never have to experience it.

Actually, after engine failure, your chances of surviving a forced landing are pretty good. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, only 5.2 percent of forced landings result in pilot fatality. Also, 69 percent of crashes resulted in no injury at all.

The most important thing to remember in an emergency situation is: don’t panic. Pilots are trained to be steady and level-headed. Having a rational sense of control in an emergency situation will be your best ally. It’s not like any scenario you’ve ever practiced during flight training, it’s real. The danger is real.

The Best Glide Speed

In your efforts to understand why the engine quit, you’re losing very valuable time. The best glide speed will be on the emergency checklist in your pilot’s operating handbook. Remember - do not climb! If the aircraft has already slowed to the optimum glide speed, you’ll be wasting precious energy by climbing and trying to buy more time. If you don’t know the best glide speed, it is usually very close to the rate-of-climb airspeed.

Locate the nearest airport

Use a GPS (if available) to locate the nearest airport, it will give you the bearing and the distance to the airport. Some even provide the orientation and length of the longest runway. Hopefully there is one within gliding distance, but often times there aren’t.
Also, pay attention to the wind, if you had been beating against a 20-knot headwind before the engine quit, your best bet might be the airport behind you. Just keep in mind you will have to turn back into the wind for the slowest possible touchdown

What do I do with the Landing Gear?

Whether you leave the gears up or down is totally dependent upon the terrain you’ll be landing on. If the terrain is friendly, open, or smooth, it might be best to put the gears down. If the terrain looks rough or even questionable, leave the gear up. If you put the gears down and the aircraft hits mud, it will flip onto its back lessening the chance of survival. Be aware that if a landing gear is torn off a low-wing aircraft, it could take a fuel tank with it increasing the chance of fire.

What will I Learn in Flight Training? - Taking Off in a Cessna 152

2010-06-16T10:23:00.000-04:00

The Aircraft

A Cessna 152 is the most common airplane flown during the beginning stages of flight training. It is a slower plane that allows a student to get a basic understanding of flying an aircraft while they’re training to be a pilot.

It is a two-seat, high wing, aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear. The airframe is mostly metal made but the wing tips and fairings are made from fiberglass. Most Cessna 152’s have dual controls installed. They’re about 24 feet in length with a 33 foot wingspan.

The Performance

Maximum speed: 126 mph.
Cruise speed: 123 mph.
Stall speed: 49mph (unpowered, flaps down)
Range: 477 miles
Extended range: 795 miles (with long-range tanks)
Service ceiling: 14,700 feet
Takeoff roll: 725 feet
Rate of climb: 715 ft/min

How to Take Off

Step 1

Announce your departure. It should be something like “Tower, Cessna (say the end number) requesting takeoff on runway (say the runway number).” Then the tower will clear you for takeoff. Make sure to check for traffic yourself.

Step 2

Push in the needle-like button near the top left of the yoke (the control column, or steering wheel). Check engine, RPM, and oil pressure.

Step 3

Put the carburetor heat to cold. Put flaps to 10 degrees by pulling the handle to the right of the pilot seat and pulling it up until it clicks one time. Push the throttle very lightly to get the aircraft moving

Step 4

Taxi and line up to the center of the runway. Make sure you are taking off INTO the wind.

Step 5

Push the throttle all the way forward, as you increase speed to 56 knots, ease back the yoke to put the plane in a climb attitude.

You are airborne! Now, push the yoke in slightly until airspeed reaches 70 knots.

How to Profit as a Pilot - Spirt Airlines as an Example

2010-06-15T09:40:00.000-04:00

When completing flight training, it is important to understand the industry that you will be involved in as a pilot. There are several different career paths you can choose from, so make sure it’s the right one for you.

Why A Strike?

Several commercial pilots are experiencing a huge rise in sales as the Spirit Airlines pilots continue to strike for their fourth day.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, 440 pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, contracted to Spirit Airlines went on strike Saturday, after discussions were failed to solve issues between the pilots and management regarding issues like wages, benefits and scheduling.

Spirit Airlines’ main hub is located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It is the only airline to 14 international cities and five US destinations, with roughly 150 flights and 16,680 passengers per day.

Press Release

The Spirits Airlines pilots issued a statement accusing the management of handling the situation inappropriately.
Here is an excerpt of the statement:

“Spirit Airlines management continues to seriously misrepresent its latest pilot contract proposal, which would force pilots to work more hours and pay more to provide health care for their families, while company profits continue to soar and Spirit was ranked as the most profitable U.S. airline by pre-tax profit margin last year.

"We regret that Spirit management's failure to take seriously its pilots' contributions to the company has forced us to strike, but, one way or another, we will make our value clear," said Capt. Andy Nelson, vice-chairman of the Spirit pilots' unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA). "For the sake of the passengers who have been inconvenienced by this situation, we urge Spirit management to get serious and present a contract proposal that is fair and equitable for all of its pilots.

"Moreover, Spirit management should focus its energy at the bargaining table instead of negotiating in the news media," continued Nelson. "Management has hampered our efforts to develop a deal by waiting until hours before the strike deadline to offer any contract increases at all."

Management's latest proposal is worth $62.5 million over five years, while Spirit earned a record $83 million profit in 2009 alone. Spirit's ranking as the most profitable airline by pre-tax margin in the United States in 2009 is based on the Department of Transportation's Form 41 data. Pre-tax margin, which is the profit made by a company calculated as a percentage of sales before taxes, is an important measure of the profitability of a company.

Profit for Competition

This incident may mean a devastating loss of revenue for SpiritAirlines, but it also means a huge spike for competing airlines. Peoplestranded due to the Spirit Airlines were forced to turn to competingcompanies like JetBlue to follow through with their travel plans.

How to Become a Military Pilot

2010-06-14T09:14:00.000-04:00

The flight training and requirements in order to become a military pilot are extremely challenging. This field demands full dedication, focus, and perseverance.

There are three phases you must complete during your flight training to become a military pilot. Each phase consists of several courses courses and tests.

According to the US Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training, the phases are as follows:

Phase 1 - Academic Classes and Pre-Flight Training

Aerospace Physiology, Altitude Chamber Rides + Test
Ejection Seat / Egress Training, Parachute Landing Falls
Aircraft Systems Class + Test
Basic Instruments Class + Test
Mission Planning / Navigation Class + Test
Aviation Weather Class + Test

Phase 2 - Aircraft Training

90 Hours of flight training instruction, 22 weeks of training
Learn Basic flying skills
Focus on contact, instruments, formation, and navigation
After 6 months, students choose track (bomber, tanker, multiengine turboprop)
Students are chosen based on performance

Phase 3 - Advanced Aircraft training

Fighter/Bomber Track - 120 hours, 24 weeks
Airlift/Tanker Track - 105 hours, 24 weeks
Multiengine Turboprop Track - 115 hours, 26 weeks

Tips and Warnings

Be totally committed

Becoming a military pilot is a serious commitment, it is an area of your life that you must give all or nothing.

Be eligible

Check your eligibility to participate in flight training, you must be in good physical health, including having good eyesight.

Warrant or commissioned officer?

Choose whether you want to be a warrant officer, or a technical specialist, or a commissioned officer, who may move up to higher levels of command.

Background check

All government positions require a background check in order to complete training.

The Fighter Aircrew Condition Test (FACT)

This test determines if an individual’s muscle fitness is qualified to operate high-G aircraft. After this test a student will have a physical fitness regimen specifically designed for him to target weaknesses.

There are 8 exercise events divided into two categories:

Strength Test

10-15 repetitions (50 total, minimum)
Your body weight multiplied by:
.35 for arm curls
.8 for bench press
.7 for lat pulls
1.6 for leg press
.5 for leg curls

Muscular Endurance Test

20 repetitions minimum, 50 repetitions maximum
Push-ups
Abdominal crunches
Leg presses

Your FACT score is calculated by combining the score of the two tests.

How a man survived a flight by hiding in landing gears

2010-06-11T09:33:00.000-04:00

An unidentified Romanian man somehow miraculously survived a flight fromAustria to the United Kingdom on Sunday by hiding in the landing gearundercarriage of a Boeing 747. The man was apprehended immediately andconfessed that he had crawled under a fence and climbed into theundercarriage of the aircraft.

After a 90-minute flight, the man apparently fell out of the jet’s rear wheel compartment after it touched down at London Heathrow Airport. He was taken into custody and later released without charges. The U.K. Border Agency is not intending to deport him.

The 20-year-old man had bruises and hypothermia due to the fact that he was exposed to temperatures as low as -41.8 degrees F. Experts say the only reason he survived is because the plane flew at a low enough altitude due to stormy weather.

According to BBC News:
A spokesman for the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the man was "very lucky" to be alive.

He said: "If they don't find the right part to stow away, they can be crushed when the undercarriage comes up.

"Because of the altitude and temperatures during the flight, there is a severe risk to them through exposure and lack of oxygen.

"If that doesn't kill them, then they could be unconscious when the aircraft descends, and that can mean that when the undercarriage opens again, they will fall out."

Obviously, survival in these cases is quite rare.
According to Veronika Oleksyn of the Associated Press:

In February, it was reported that a man’s body was found inside the landing gear compartment of a Delta Air Lines plane that flew from New York to Tokyo. The body had no visible injuries, just frostbite. Authorities say he may of died from hypothermia.

In 2007, a man’s body was found in the nose gear wheel compartment of a United Airlines plane that flew from Shanghai to San Francisco.

The Landing Gear of a Boeing 747 consists of four main landing gears with 16 wheels. These provide a spread of support on the ground and safety in case of tire blow-outs. The main gear allows for landing on two opposite landing gears of the others to not function properly.

During flight training school, you will be able to learn all about the dynamics of aircrafts, how they function on the ground, how they operate in the air, and the aeronautics of the concept of flight.

How to get your Instrument Rating in Flight Training

2010-06-10T09:48:00.000-04:00

Once your receive your private or commercial pilot certificate after flight training, the next step you would want to complete is acquiring your instrument rating. This is important because without it, you will be very limited in where, when, and how you fly.

What is an instrument rating?

Instrument rating is a pilot’s qualification to fly in less than VFR (visual flight rules) conditions. VFR conditions are weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. You must be able to see outside the cockpit to control the aircraft’s altitude, navigate, and avoid other aircrafts when there is congestion. Obviously this is very limiting, which is why it’s important to get your instrument rating while flight training.

You need your instrument rating to fly under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). IFR are regulations and protocols for flying by relying solely on the aircraft instrument panel for navigation. Even if nothing can be seen in the outside environment, a pilot with his Instrument rating is authorized to fly in Class A airspace, which is between 18,000 to 60,000 feet and rely on Air Traffic Control procedures to maintain separated from other aircraft.

How do I get it?

To get your instrument rating, you must acquire additional flight training, a private pilot or commercial pilot certificate, and additional education in meteorology. You will be subject to an additional written exam. The exam will cover:

Airplane instruments
Airplane systems
Federal Aviation Regulations
Airports and airspace
Airplane performance
Aeromedical factors
Weather
Navigation
Cross-country flying
Instrument approaches
Instrument Flight Rules en route

Next is your check ride.
A check ride is both an oral exam to prove the student understands the theory of instrument flying, and a test flight to see if the pilot has the practical skills.

How long does it take?

Under part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulation, in order to receive your instrument rating, you must complete:

50 hours of Pilot-in-Command cross country
40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time
15 hours of specific flight instruction on Instrument Rating

What are Instrument Flight Rules? - Flight Training

2010-06-09T08:57:00.000-04:00

During flight training to become a pilot, you will learn about the way airports operate. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the departure routes of airplanes from all airports, especially in poor weather conditions. Yesterday, the FAA ended a controversial flight path test in Santa Monica.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

The federal government Tuesday ended its 180-day test of a controversial departure route from Santa Monica Municipal Airport that resulted in thousands of noise complaints from densely populated neighborhoods along the flight path.

The Federal Aviation Administration's experiment, which began Dec. 10, directed departing propeller planes to turn right over the neighborhoods of Sunset Park and Ocean Park when flying under instrument flight rules, such as during foggy or cloudy weather.

FAA officials and airport officials say they will analyze the noise complaints, potential benefits and alternative flight paths to determine whether the experimental departure route should be made permanent. FAA officials plan to release a final report in August.

What are Instrument Flight Rules?

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are regulations and protocols for flying an aircraft by using solely the instrument panel for navigation. This is necessary for when weather conditions are poor and the pilot cannot see outside the cockpit windows.

IFR-rated pilots can fly without any outside vision at all, they can rely entirely on the instrument panel inside the cockpit. They are authorized to fly through clouds. IFR is also a procedure designed to maintain separation from other aircraft to avoid any chance of collision.

Primary procedures of navigation under IFR are either through radio beacons on the ground, or GPS systems.

In flight training students are trained for their Instrument Rating with flight simulators and blockalls that help the pilot concentrate entirely on the instrument panel.

How to get Flight Training as a Veteran

2010-06-08T09:12:00.001-04:00

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is now offering a broad range of programs and benefits available to those who are eligible. If you are aVeteran, in honor of your dedicated service, you have earned financialaid for various programs including education and flight training.

Benefits and Services

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and benefits including Disability, Education, and Flight Training, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Home Loan Guaranty, Dependent and Survivor Benefits, Medical Treatment, Life Insurance and Burial Benefits.

This article will focus on the benefits and services pertaining to flight training.

Eligibility
Eligibility for most Veterans Affairs benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions, and certain benefits require service during wartime. You may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a:

Veteran

Veteran’s dependent

Surviving spouse, child, or parent of a deceased Veteran

Uniformed service member
How to Apply
Find a flight training school near you that best suits your needs. Then process the application.
You can apply online through the Veterans On Line Application or VONAPP.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals seeking flight training with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay your tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public educational institution in the state where the school is located. The amount of support that an individual may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.

It is important for you as a veteran to receive your flight training education. Veterans have been an important asset to this country and the benefits given to veterans are specifically for the purpose of returning the honor of service.

7 Types of Flight Trainig Aircrafts7 Types of Flight Training Aircrafts

2010-06-07T09:10:00.001-04:00
There are several different types of aircrafts you will be able to trainin during flight training school. Here are 7 different types of planes you will have theopportunity to fly.

Cessna 150 & 152
The Cessna 150 &152 is a two seater built specifically for flight training purposes. The C150 and e152 are the most easily accessible and affordable aircrafts. They have very low operating costs. These are generally used for students seeking their Recreational/Private Pilot’s license.

Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 is a light and stable four-seater with high wings. It is commonly used in flight training at flight schools because it is easy and comfortable to learn in. It is also a highly demanded rental aircraft because of its easy to fly nature.

Cessna 172 RG (Retractable Gear)
The Cessna 172 RG is a four seat, high-wing, single engine “complex” aircraft, powered by a 180hp engine with a constant-speed (variable pitch) propeller. The landing gear is also retractable which makes it faster than the Cessna 172. This complex and high performance aircraft is used for flight training at most flight schools.

Piper Cherokee Series
The Piper Cherokee Series is a two and four seat low-wing aircraft. It is also stable and easy to train in. Flight schools use this aircraft the most for flight training.

Piper Arrow
The PIper arrow is a light, low wing, four seater. It’s also a single engine complex aircraft. With retractable landing gear and a 200hp engine and a constant-speed propeller, it is faster than the Piper Cherokee Series. This aircraft is better suited for flight training students looking to get their Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, or Flight Instructor Certificate.

Beech 76 Duchess
The Beech 76 Duchess is a four-seat, light, low-wing, twin engine plane. It is a complex aircraft with retractable landing gear and two 180hp engines and a constant speed propeller. This is the most popular multi-engine training aircraft commonly used by students seeking their Multi-Engine Rating in addition to their Instrument Rating.

The Piper Seminole
The Piper Seminole is also a four-seat, light, low-wing, twin engine plane. It is a complex aircraft with retractable landing gear and two 180hp engines in addition to a constant speed propeller. It is very similar to the Beech 76 Duchess. It is also the only T-tail Piper currently in production.

How to Find the Best Flight Training School for You

2010-06-03T09:26:00.000-04:00
If you have a dream of becoming an airline pilot, you will need a flight training school that fits you. Choosing a flight training school is difficult because you are entrusting time, finances, and effort into a facility in hopes of pursuing your dream. During flight training, you will learn the fundamentals of flying and acquire the skills to be a successful pilot.

You must take all variables into consideration before choosing a flight training school to commit to. Write down what the best situation would be for you for all of the following:

Location
Ask yourself several questions when choosing a location for your flight training. How far away from home do you want to be? What kind of city or town is your school located in? What kind of weather conditions are typical for that area? What kind of potential connections can you make in that area? Be conscious of where you choose to complete your flight training, as they say- location, location, location!

Financing
Flight training is expensive. There is no hiding that fact. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association estimates that it costs anywhere from $5000 to $9000 just to get your single engine private pilot’s license. If you want more than that, make sure to inquire about payment plans and financing, or Federal Student Loans. Quality flight training schools have Private Educational Loans available to those who qualify.

Facilities
Let’s face it. You want the most bang for your buck. So be sure to find a flight training school that has facilities you can make the most of. Look for clean and professional facilities. What is the campus like? What is the housing like? Inquire about the number of planes in the fleet and the level of maintenance. You can even ask to view the maintenance logs. Does the facility have a flight training simulator? If so, are your flying hours logged in the simulator in addition to aircrafts? You want all of your flying hours to be in an actual aircraft.

Instructors
Ask about the instructors. Are they former airline pilots? Are they former students? Do they offer one-on-one instruction? How often do students have new instructors? Or do they keep the same instructor throughout the duration of their flight training? Ask to meet with an instructor and ask him or her all the questions you can. They’ve been through flight training before, they will have a better understanding of what you need as opposed to a brochure.

Training
The flight training school you choose should have a program designed specifically for you. Ask about the required flying hours and where they are logged, whether in a simulator or in an actual aircraft. Ask about the classroom education and the instructor-student ratio. Ask about the different types of flight training programs you can participate in.

Remember this is YOUR future. Find a flight training school that works for YOU.

Single Engine Plane Makes Emergency Landing

2010-06-02T09:24:00.001-04:00
A plane nearly landed on I-95 yesterday, when a pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in a residential area near Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. He had called the tower to report he was having problems, his power was out and the airport was still two or three miles away. The single engine 1966 Cessna 172 fell short of the runway and took a nose-dive in to a vacant field, avoiding a row of homes. The pilot and his passenger were taken to Broward General Medical Center with minor injuries.

During your flight training, you will learn to make emergency landings. When an engine goes out, a skilled pilot must understand how to control the situation immediately.

There are several types of emergency landings, some include: precautionary, forced, and ditching.

Precautionary
This type of landing may happen due to unanticipated changes during the flight, or abnormal or emergency situations. The landing location will have limited information. The pilot must locate and inspect a potential landing site as soon as possible to in order to lessen the chance of worsening aircraft conditions.

Forced
A forced landing is a landing made under inhibiting factors outside the pilot’s control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components, medical problems or weather conditions. The priority of this type of landing is to land as soon as possible, regardless of location. It may necessary to land the plane even if it is still flyable.

Ditching
Ditching is essentially a controlled crash landing, only on water. A pilot would be forced to make this kind of landing if there is a failure of or damage to vital systems such as engines, hydraulics, or landing gear. If the aircraft is not designed to float, it will typically sink when it makes contact with the surface of the water.

Pilots must be equipped to handle emergency situations, and the only way to acquire skills like that is at a quality flight training school.

Memorial Day Air Show

2010-05-28T09:38:00.000-04:00
In honor of Memorial Day, and as a commemoration to U.S. men and women who died while in military service, there are traditions and celebrations all over the country. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, the flag is traditionally at half-staff in the morning, and families use this day for picnics and barbecues.

For Memorial Day this year, Jones Beach, New York, gets a special treat. On May 29-30, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Team as well as some of the best civilian and military aerobatic performers will be performing in the 2010 Bethpage Federal Credit Union New York Air Show.

The show begins at 10am and will end at 3pm. The other military performers include the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the A-10 East Demo Team, the Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team, and the NY Air National Guard - Search & Rescue.

The show will be an exciting day of food, fun, and really fast aircrafts. The American Airpower Museum will host tours of current and vintage military aircraft on static display.

The Blue Angels will be highlighting the event. They have been a leader in flight training, aerobotics, and famous pilots since its inception in 1946.

Their mission is to “enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.”

The team is stationed at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the show season.

A Blue Angels flight demonstration displays choreographed perfection of skills possessed by all naval aviators. The demonstration begins with the Blue Angels’ C-130 (view photo), affectionately called “Fat Albert,” exhibiting maximum performance capabilities for ten minutes.

Next, is the four-jet Diamond Formation (view photo) in synchronization with the lighting-fast, high-performance maneuvers of its two solo pilots.

Lastly, the team performs the highlight of the event, executing maneuvers locked as a unit in the famous, six-jet Delta Formation (view photo).

The Blue Angels are scheduled to fly 68 air shows at 35 sites in the U.S. during this year’s season. They are celebrating their 23rd year of flying the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. Last season, more than 8 million spectators watched the Blue Angels perform.

By starting your flight training, you too could have a chance of being a part of this amazing aerobotic team of pilots.

Flight Training for Veterans

2010-05-27T09:22:00.000-04:00
We are proud to announce that Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technology is now approved to enroll students for Flight Training under the Chapter 33 Benefits and Post 9/11 Benefits.

In order to qualify, you must have a private pilot’s license and valid medical certificate prior to beginning training. The Veteran’s Association (VA) will reimburse you for 60% of the approved charges.

Payments are issued after the training is completed and the school submits information to the VA.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill
As of August 1, 2009, The Post-9/11 GI Bill is in effect and will provide financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of service on or after September 11, 2001. You can also qualify if you received an honorable discharge due to a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Chapter 33 Benefits
The Chapter 33 Benefits are calculated by taking the number of days of active duty after September 10, 2001 and subtracting the days served on active duty for entry level and skill training - only if you served less than 910 days.

Choosing an education benefit program that’s right for you
Choosing a benefit program can be a difficult decision because it’s based on so many factors, including the type of education or training you plan to take and the amount of benefits received under each program.

If you are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and two or more other benefit programs, you must give up one of the other benefits.

Use your Veterans Benefits to become a pilot
By taking advantage of the many benefits available to you as a veteran, you can take control of your future and continue to contribute to your country. Commercial pilots are in high demand and your previous experience and training gives you a significant advantage. Start your exciting new career today.

For more information about Veterans Benefits and benefits for spouses or dependents of service members, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs Website.

How to Obtain a FAA Medical Certificate

2010-05-26T08:32:00.001-04:00
The FAA requires a medical certificate before flying solo in an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. You should obtain your medical certificate before you begin your flight training program simply to make the transition process easier. Medical certificates are to ensure you are healthy and capable of navigating an aircraft without any medical defects that may hinder your performance.

In order to get a medical certificate, you must pass a physical examination. This exam will be administered by an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner. You can get your certificate from any designated FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner, they are easy to find. The FAA has a directory that lists authorized medical examiners by name and address. The handbooks are attainable at any FAA Flight Standards District Office, air traffic control facility, or flight service station.

For a recreational or private pilot certificate, a third-class medical certificate is required. The medical certificates required change with different pilot certificates.

If you have a physical disability, you can still get a medical certificate. It all depends on the nature of the disability as certain disabilities may hinder your operating abilities. The types of limitation will be described by your medical examiner before you're issued your medical certificate. You must always carry your certificate, even when flying solo.

A third-class medical certificate will expire 36th months after the issue date. However, if you are over 40 years of age, the certificate will expire after 24 months.

According to Aviationwise, the medical examination for a third-class certificate will test the following:

Distant Vision - 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction

Near Vision (from16 inches) - 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction

Color Vision - ability to perceive the colors deemed necessary

Hearing (from 6 feet) - average conversational voice in a quiet room

Audiology - audiometric speech discrimination test to test thresholds

Ear, Nose, and Throat - no disease or condition that may be triggered by vertigo

Blood Pressure - 155/95 is maximum

Mental - No diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or any other personality disorder

Substance Dependence/Abuse- alcohol and all illegal drugs, no diagnosis or history of substance dependence, unless with substantial evidence showing total abstinence from the substance for at least the preceding 2 years

4 Steps to Building Your Flight Training Foundation

2010-05-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

There are 4 basic steps to excel in flight training. By following these steps you will build yourself a clear foundation and have a higher chance at a solid future in aviation. In order to learn to fly, you must always have a plan.

Step 1: Write down your flying goals

You need to have a clear understanding of why you want to fly. Is your passion for flying related to business, or a career? You need to have an exact picture of what you want so you can choose a flight training program that is right for you. You will never succeed in anything unless you begin with the end goal in mind. Ask yourself if the cost of your flight training is your priority, or whether you want the most quality education, and what kind of facilities you would like to have access to, or if you want a location close to home.

Step 2: Earn your Recreational or Private Pilot Certificate

You may receive your Recreational or Private Pilot Certificate is the first certificate you will receive at the minimum age of 17. The Recreational Pilot Certificate will allow you fly as Pilot In Command (PIC) with several restrictions. These include:

Sharing the cost of flight with passengers

Cannot accept charge or compensation for flight

Only 1 passenger at a time

Only fly during the daytime

No flying farther than 50 miles

No flying at airports that require radio communications
The Private Pilot Certificate offers much less restrictions and is therefore a more popular choice among novice pilots in training. This certificate is similar but allows you to be Pilot In Command, carry multiple passengers, and fly during day or night.

Step 3: Instrument Rating

The next step towards building your flight training foundation is Instrument Rating. This allows you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules, where you will hone your flying skills in all weather conditions. You will train to learn to control and navigate an aircraft entirely by flight instruments rather than outside environmental reference. Instrument Rating will equip you with the experience and skills to fly in low ceiling or visibility condition. It is required for a career.

Step 4: Multi Engine Rating

The fourth basic step to honing your flight training foundation is obtaining your Multi Engine Rating. This will allow you to fly a plane built with more than one engine. While require for a career as a professional pilot, this rating will teach you how to safely navigate and land the airplane in case one of the engines fails.
By building a foundation with a particular set of skills, you will increase your chances of having a successful career in aviation. By mastering these techniques and obtaining these certificates, you will be well on your way towards becoming a successful pilot.

Learning To Fly With A Flight Training Device (Simulator)

2010-05-24T10:43:00.000-04:00
Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technology provides the most effective way of training to fly, and ensures the student receives the knowledge that is required to be a professional pilot. By employing the use of the CRJ-200 Level 5 Flight Training Device, Aviator’s Professional Pilot Program provides a hands-on training method so students can learn quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Flight Training Devices are beneficial to students because they are best-suited to teach students how to safely react in very specific in-flight situations. Training in actual instrument conditions is imperative for students in the initial stages of learning to fly. Simulators can be used by students at any level, and have varying degrees of realism.

Flight Training Devices provide students an opportunity to feel their way through a simulated flight. They will teach a student to fly the aircraft smoothly, take confident command of the instruments, as well as prepare and use a flight plan.

Many aviation schools log flight training hours in a Flight Training Device. Aviator however, logs all flight training in an actual aircraft. All simulators are used for ground training purposes only. No ground training is used for flight time towards a student’s ratings.

Simulation training is cost-effective and low-risk. Flight training students on the ground is an advantage over in an actual aircraft because it gives an instructor more freedom to teach new students maneuvers that would not be practical in the air.

It is important that students first learn on the ground how to react to certain malfunctions such as electrical, instrument, or even hydraulic system failures. Flight Training Devices also allow time for an instructor to give detailed explanations whereas it would not usually be possible in an actual aircraft.

Flight Training Devices are a fun, exhilarating, cost-effective, and low-risk way to teach students to fly. It is an extremely effective training method that would help transform even the most novice pilot into an adept, experienced, and well-trained pilot.

The Passion to Propel you Through Flight Training School

2010-05-21T13:15:00.000-04:00
Most would agree that the will to become a pilot comes from a passion for flight. A strong passion can motivate
you through the steps you will have to take on your journey.

So to cement that passion firmly in your heart why not look at the lives of others who have been successfully down the path you are traveling? Some time spent reading the great profiles in aviation's history might just be the boost you need to get your flight career off the ground.

Orville and Wilbur Wright
In 1904 after several years of building gliders, testing propeller designs, and experimenting with wind tunnels the Wright brothers invited the media to view their flying machine. They were ignored. So with little funding and seemingly little prospect of success they kept going. And at a cow pasture named Huffman Prairie they setup shop and practiced... failing. They had hard landings, wing damage, and bodily injuries. Through it all, in the secrecy and seclusion of Huffman Prairie, they perfected their craft. In September of that year they achieved the first ever complete circle by a manned heavier-thanair powered machine and completed a re-design that allowed for much longer flights.

The brothers began to pursue government contracts for their machine. But with so much skepticism and without a demonstration the Wright brothers struggled ineffectually for three years. They were lampooned by
doubters at home and in Europe, but finally landed contracts with the U.S. Army and France under one
condition - that they successfully demonstrate the aircraft. This demonstration and their vindication
took place in Le Mans, France in August of 1908, finally securing them there place in the history of
Aviation.

Are not such stories inspiring? Just like the Wright brothers story there is a wealth of aviation history to
draw your inspiration from. The stories of famous men and women from aviation's past are full of
lessons in triumph through failing, spirit, will power, and passion. Whether is it Amelia Earhart (first
woman to fly the Atlantic) or Dick Rutan (in his 1986 non-stop circumnavigation) these stories are well
worth the read for any flight training school student.

Job Outlook for Flight School Graduates

2010-05-20T15:16:00.000-04:00
The earning potential for flight school graduates varies greatly depending on the industry. Airline pilots’ earnings’ are amongst the highest in the country and depend on the pilots’ rank, experience, aircraft type and the size of the airline.

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers are expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Regional airlines and low-cost carriers will present the best opportunities; pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition.

Employment of aircraft pilots and flight engineers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Population growth and an expanding economy in the long run are expected to boost the demand for air travel, contributing to job growth. New jobs will be created as airlines expand their capacity to meet this rising demand by increasing the number of planes in operation and the number of flights offered.

Job Prospects
Job opportunities are expected to be best for experienced pilots with the regional airlines and low-cost carriers, which are expected to grow faster than the major airlines. Opportunities with air cargo carriers also should arise because of increasing security requirements for shipping freight on passenger airlines, growth in electronic commerce, and increased demand for global freight. Business, commuter, corporate, and on-demand air taxi travel also should provide some new jobs for pilots.

Pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition, as those firms tend to attract many more applicants than the number of job openings. Applicants also will have to compete with laid-off pilots for any available jobs. Pilots who have logged the greatest number of flying hours using sophisticated equipment typically have the best prospects. For this reason, military pilots often have an advantage over other applicants.

In addition to job openings arising from employment growth, opportunities will result from the need to replace workers transferring to other occupations or leaving the labor force. Additional openings will result from the mandatory retirement of commercial airline pilots at age 65.

Employment of pilots is sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy. During recessions, when a decline in the demand for air travel forces airlines to ground planes and curtail the number of flights, airlines may temporarily furlough some pilots.

Earning Potential
Earnings of aircraft pilots and flight engineers vary greatly depending whether they work as airline or commercial pilots. Earnings also depend on factors such as rank, seniority, and the size and type of aircraft flown. For example, pilots who fly jet aircraft usually earn higher salaries than pilots who fly turboprops. Airline pilots and flight engineers may earn extra pay for night and international flights. In May 2008, median annual wages of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were $111,680. The middle 50 percent earned between $81,580 and $150,480.
Median annual wages of commercial pilots were $65,340 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,680 and $89,540. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $129,580.

5 Questions to Help You Decide if Pilot Career is for You

2010-05-17T10:45:00.000-04:00
The most obvious benefit of an aviation career and serving as an airline pilot is the flying. Any pilot can attest to the joy of commanding an aircraft and assuming the responsibility for, and the challenge of, operating a multi-million dollar aircraft with the trust of its passengers. The love of flying keeps the weathered days sunny. If this seems like a match for your career goals, your aspirations, and your sense of adventure, then begin your journey and start flight training.

Learning to fly an airplane is fun, easy, and a mission possible in most people’s case. Av8er from iflyasa recommends the following 5 questions that help you decide whether pilot’s career is the for you:

Motivation – What do I need to learn how to fly for; pleasure, business or as a career?

Location -Where should I go get my flight training done?

Source – What type of flight training provider would be best for me?

Scheduling – Full time, part time, formal or informal, what type of scheduling would work the best for me?

Financial – How am I going to pay for my training? Would I need financial aid, student loan, personal loan, or some other type of financial assistance?
The reason you should ask these questions to yourself is because it helps you chose the right program, and also helps you understand the budgets and time / effort commitment required. I’ll give you some ballpark numbers here to think about:

If you want to learn how to fly for pleasure, you are looking at about a total of 60-70 hours of flight training time, and about 40-50 hours of ground studies, and to get the best bang for the buck, you should expect about 10-12 hours of training time per week. If it is for pleasure, then you really can simply take the training at your own convenience, or go to one of those vacation / accelerated training places with or without your family. Cost of the training will depend on many variables, like when, where and which aircraft. But for most people, you are looking at about $6000 to $10,000 price range. Of course, there are ways to make it cheaper as well as luxurious and high end as well.

For business reasons, the basic training as above is still required, but what changes is the motivating factor, and possibly some tax advantages, both for training and then actually renting / owning an aircraft and the related cost factors (operating expenses).

Where to Get Your Flight Training?
There are plenty of venues and facilities to get your flight training. The choice is yours based on your dedication, time availability, budget and commitment to become a pilot:

Local Flight Training School

Flying Club

CFI ( independent Flight Instructor)

Formal Accredited Flight Training Institutes,

Military Academies

Aviation College or University Program

Flight Simulators

2010-05-14T11:36:00.001-04:00
A flight simulator is a system that tries to copy, or simulate, the experience of flying an aircraft. It is meant to be as realistic as possible. The different types of flight simulator range from computer based games up to full-size cockpit replicas mounted on hydraulic (or electromechanical) actuators, controlled by state of the art computer technology.

History of Flight Simulators
A number of electro-mechanical devices were tried during World War I and thereafter. The best-known was the Link Trainer invented by Edwin Link in Binghamton, New York and made available in 1929. This had a pneumatic motion platform driven by bellows giving pitch, roll and yaw, on which a replica generic cockpit was mounted. It was designed for the teaching of instrument (cloud) flying in a less hazardous and less expensive environment than the aircraft. The US Army Air Force purchased four Link Trainers in 1934 after a series of fatal accidents in instrument flight and the world flight simulation industry was born.

Types of Flight Simulators
Various categories of flight simulators and flight training devices are used for pilot training. These vary from relatively simple Part-Task Trainers (PTTs) that cover one or more aircraft systems, Cockpit Procedures Trainers (CPT) for practicing drills and checks, to Full Flight Simulators (FFS). The higher levels of Full Flight Simulators have motion platforms capable of moving in all six degrees-of-freedom. They also have wide-angle high-fidelity visual systems for displaying the outside world to the pilots under training. Most simulators have Instructor Operating Stations (IOS). At the IOS, an instructor can quickly create any normal and abnormal condition in the simulated aircraft or in the simulated external environment. This can range from engine fires, malfunctioning landing gear, electrical faults, storms, downbursts, lightning, oncoming aircraft, slippery runways, navigational system failures and countless other problems.

Flight simulators are an essential element in individual pilot as well as flight crew training. They save time, money and lives.

Pilot Job Overview

2010-05-11T12:19:00.000-04:00
What is this job like?
Pilots fly airplanes and helicopters to do many jobs. Most pilots fly people and cargo from place to place. Some pilots test new planes, fight fires, do police work, or rescue people who are hurt or in danger.

Before they take off, pilots plan their flight carefully. They check their plane to make sure that it is working properly. They also make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly. They check the weather forecast to see if they will run into any bad weather on their trip. They then decide what route they should take, and how high and fast they should fly.

Takeoff and landing are often challenging and require a great deal of piloting skill. As a result, pilots must be especially careful during those times. The rest of the flight can be fairly easy if the weather is good because planes have computers and other gauges to tell pilots if their trip is going according to plan. These gauges show whether there is enough fuel, whether the weather is changing, and whether the plane is on course. Pilots must check monitor these gauges at all times during the flight to be sure that all is going well. If problems come up, the pilots must quickly take steps to solve them.

The law says that pilots who work for an airline cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly about 75 hours a month, and work another 75 hours a month at other parts of the job. When they are flying, airline pilots often stay away from home overnight. Airlines have flights at all hours of the day and night. This means that airline pilots are often asked to work odd hours.

Pilots who do not work for the airlines can have unusual work schedules, too. For example, they may fly 30 hours one month and 90 hours the next. Most of them do not have to stay away from home overnight, but they may have to work odd hours.

Pilots who fly very long distances may have "jet lag." This is fatigue caused by moving through different time zones. The work of pilots who test new planes may be dangerous. Pilots who work on farms or who help police and firefighters also might get hurt on their jobs.

Flying does not involve physical work. However, pilots can feel a lot of stress because they know that they are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They must be careful and quick to react if something goes wrong.

How Do You Get Ready?
All pilots who are paid to fly must have a license from the Federal Government. Pilots must be at least 18 years old and must have flown at least 250 hours to qualify for a license. To get a commercial airline pilot's license, a person must be at least 23 years old, and the person must have flown for a total of 1,500 hours or have gone to a school for pilots.

A doctor must also examine the person. The doctor makes sure that the person can see and hear well, and is healthy enough to fly. Pilots must also pass a written test to show that they know how to fly properly. The pilot's employer may ask him or her to pass other special tests as well.

Many pilots learn how to fly in the military. Others become pilots by going to flight schools. Most companies want the pilots they hire to have some college education. In fact, most people who enter this occupation have a college degree.

How Much Does This Job Pay?
In May 2008, pilots had average yearly wages of $119,750. Pilots may be paid extra for flying at night or for flying to other countries. Usually, pilots who fly a jet aircraft for large airlines earn more than other pilots.

How Many Jobs Are There?
There were about 76,000 pilots, copilots, and flight engineers outside of the military in 2008.

Pilots are located across the country, but airline pilots usually are based near major metropolitan airports or airports which have a high amount of flying activity relative to their population.

What About The Future?
Pilots are expected to face strong competition for jobs through the year 2018, especially with major airlines. Opportunities should be better with regional and low-fare airlines. There are several reasons for the strong competition. More and more qualified people are trying to become pilots. This is because they think the job is interesting and exciting. Also, pilots can often travel for personal reasons free of charge. Although the number of pilots is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2018, applicants will face competition as very few pilots quit their jobs because they love the work and the pay is very high.

Former military pilots have an advantage over other applicants. This is because they usually have spent more time flying, using more advanced equipment, than other pilots. Pilots who have specialized pilot's licenses also will have a better chance.

When the economy is bad and fewer people choose to fly, some pilots may lose their jobs.

Career Opportunities for Pilots

2010-05-06T11:27:00.000-04:00
A degree in aviation science can be molded to fit your own vision of your professional future. You may envision yourself working on the ground with a team of qualified professionals to maintain order and efficiency within the elaborate workings of the international air travel industry. You may see yourself in a high-powered well-paying managerial or corporate position in the service of a major airline or government agency.

The benefit of a degree in aviation science, apart from the wealth of technical knowledge that it promises, is that it can be anything you want it to be: Pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, managers, flight operators, flight instructors, dispatch operations managers.

Below please find a list of jobs and their descriptions offered by worldwidelearn.

Cargo Operations. Efficiencies in cargo plane design, along with the increasingly urgent needs of business, have shifted many package delivery services to the air. Less experienced pilots can gain flight hours on large jets without having to worry about planes full of nervous passengers.

Charter Operations. As more business executives rely on private planes and shared-time flight arrangements, many aviation science graduates find themselves piloting small, chartered aircraft. Pilots employed by regional charter companies can start their careers with annual salaries of $50,000, while professionals employed as in-house pilots by large corporations can earn six-figure salaries that rival those of commercial airlines.

Passenger Operations. Though consolidation and cost-cutting moves within the airline industry have frustrated experienced pilots, many lucrative positions have opened up for new pilots at discount and regional airlines. Federal agencies strictly regulate working hours, working conditions, and flight schedules. New pilots working on small, regional planes often earn $43,000 or more during their first year. As pilots gain flight hours and experience with larger aircraft, they can earn annual salaries of $140,000 with additional bonuses for customer satisfaction and on-time performance.

Military Pilot. All branches of the military actively recruit aviation science majors to pilot experimental aircraft. Experienced professionals can lead teams of fighters. Other graduates use their scientific skills to run sophisticated refueling craft that support long haul flights and critical missions. Experienced military pilots can earn close to $100,000 in annual salary by the end of their commissions, paving the way for a lucrative career as a commercial pilot while enjoying healthy retirement benefits.

Flight Instructor. Many aviation science graduates help private pilots earn their certifications at small flight schools. Instructors develop lesson plans and training techniques, while enjoying the relative freedom of working with smaller aircraft in low-pressure situations. Many flight instructors earn annual salaries of around $41,000.

Astronaut. Employed by NASA, these experienced engineers and scientists work just as hard on the ground as they do in space. Most astronauts earn about $80,000 per year, while enjoying the significant benefits of involvement with the space program.

Aerial Photography. Mapping companies, real estate brokers, and commercial developers hire aviation science graduates to capture sophisticated images of land and buildings. For aviation science professionals who want to express themselves creatively, this specialty offers the opportunity to earn lucrative fees or recurring royalties, depending on how their work is used.

Agricultural Operations. It may sound quaint, but crop dusters and cloud seeders still play a very important role in our country's agricultural industry. The most successful agricultural pilots combine their aerobatic skill with their knowledge of chemistry and physics to help farmers maximize their crop yields.

Traffic/News Reporting. As news outlets compete for the most compelling images of breaking events, aviation science graduates use their skills to create flight paths and holding patterns on the fly. Many stations now hire helicopter pilots who can report on breaking news stories and traffic conditions while they fly their aircraft and operate remote-controlled cameras. Base salaries for most of these positions start at $40,000 per year, although private endorsements and performance bonuses can drastically increase a professional's income.

Public Safety. Governmental and law enforcement agencies employ pilots to transport people and cargo, enforce roadway speed limits from the air, track criminals, and perform search and rescue missions. Fires that are burning out of the control of ground units or in remote locations require the assistance of aerial firefighters.

Wildlife Services. Pilots are used in remote areas of the world to monitor and study the movement and activities of wildlife. Data collected includes animal migration and population statistics.

Tour Operations. Pilots in scenic resorts and major cities offer unusual aerial tours for vacationers and business travelers. Aviation science graduates use all of their skills to maneuver their aircraft through complex flight paths while entertaining guests.

Remote Flying. Many places on earth can only be reached by way of aircraft. Remote or "bush" flying requires that the pilot have special skills for landing in challenging and unpredictable landscapes. These highly specialized pilots often work for government agencies or for international charitable organizations.

Job Description and Responsibilities of Flight School Graduates

2010-04-30T12:23:00.000-04:00
Learning to fly is a dream for many people. Some learn to fly for recreational purposes; others as a career. Attending a flight training school and gaining certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are basic requirements that all potential pilots must fulfill.

Duties and Responsibilities
In most aircrafts, the cockpit crew consists of two pilots – the pilot and the copilot (also known as the first officer). They share duties and responsibilities and are expected to:

Plan flights with precision and accuracy

Thoroughly check the proper function of aircraft instruments and systems

Communicate with air traffic controllers and aviation weather forecasters

Closely confer and coordinate with each other during takeoffs, landings and in-flight journeys

Regularly check the instrument panel during flights

Complete flight records and aircraft maintenance status
Airline pilots face unique risks and challenges on the job. Recognizing this, airline companies impose aptitude and psychological tests for potential applicants and reject those who do not pass. Periodic physical and ophthalmic examinations are required to maintain a valid license.

Most aircrafts manage well with only two pilots due to the advanced technology that facilitates computerized flight controls. However, a flight engineer may sometimes be present on large aircrafts. The responsibilities of a flight engineer include:

Monitoring and operating flight instruments and systems

Repairing minor in-flight problems

Assisting pilots with air traffic control and cabin crew communications
Career Options After Flight School
Graduates of flight schools can consider careers as pilots, copilots, flight engineers and flight instructors. The most common area of work is in the transportation of passengers and cargo. About 20% of flight school graduates find work as commercial pilots, engaged in activities like crop dusting, aircraft testing, rescue missions, and traffic monitoring. Air-taxi companies also hire commercial pilots to fly small planes.

Aviator Skills Exhibited at Air Shows

2010-04-29T11:33:00.000-04:00
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows".

Air Show Venues
Most air shows are held for commercial motives and held as a business or trade events where aircraft, avionics and other services are promoted to potential customers. Others are held on military bases in an effort to support and raise money for local, national or military charities as well as promote military careers. Ideally, these shows are arranged at airfields to provide viewers with a display of variety of aircraft and helicopters.

Air shows highly depend on the weather and vary around the world. Whereas the United States enjoys a long season that generally runs from March to November, other areas often have much shorter seasons. The European season usually starts in late April or Early May and is usually over by mid October. Off seasons are used for maintenance and practice.

In addition to the weather, pilots and organizers must also consider local airspace restrictions.

The types of air shows vary greatly. Some are large scale military events with large flying displays and ground exhibitions while others held at small local airstrips can often feature just one or two hours of flying with just a few stalls on the ground.

Flight training students, flying enthusiasts and future pilots are encouraged to attend air shows to see first hand the mastery, skills and capabilities of aviators.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July, usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. The show usually attracts a total of 150,000 to 200,000 spectators on both days.

For air show events and schedules near you please visit the following websites: milavia, airshow, and justluxe.
Happy Flying!

Aviation Career and Pilot Jobs

2010-04-28T12:10:00.000-04:00
When considering embarking upon a career in aviation, choosing the right flight school is the first and most important step in your evaluation process. Look for the flight school that emphasizes the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for a fulfilling career in aviation.

Flight Training Education
Do your research to find out which institution is committed to offering quality education that meets the needs of its students and assists them in clarifying and pursuing their professional and educational goals in aviation.

It is important to evaluate and examine what flight environment and flight time is offered with the flight training. Experience and professionalism of flight training instructors plays an instrumental role in the lives of each student learning to fly. It is highly recommended to visit the school, speak with attending students and flight instructors, inquire about campus and housing facilities so you can get a better understanding of what each school has to offer.

As the president of Aviator College Mike Cohen correctly notes, “Flying at the college is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine. Learning to fly in these conditions will give you the ability to fly anywhere in the world with the knowledge and experience required”.

Landing a dream job of a pilot begins with your investment into the right flight school. Make sure it is the one that delivers the skills you need to succeed.

Take a listen to the samples of videos from Aviator College. These are the types of responses you need to get from attending and past students of the flight training school you wish or plan to attend.

Facts and Tips for Flight Training Students

2010-04-27T13:00:00.000-04:00
Have a passion for flying? Now is the best time to go to flight training school. Location is an important thing to consider when you are looking for a flight training school. What state the school is in and what the weather is like is critical for your getting your commercial pilot license. Here are some facts and tips to help you choose the right school for your flight training.

5 Facts About Flight Training

FACT: The current recession has created fierce competition for jobs in all industries. Now is the perfect opportunity for you to start your flight training in an industry that has tremendous potential!

FACT: Airline jobs are not going away, the demand is beginning to increase. For many current airline pilots, the mandatory retirement age is approaching!

FACT: The FAA is now taking a more serious look at airline pilot flight training. This is forcing the airline industry to take a harder look at candidates for pilot replacements!

FACT: Professional Pilots must now have first-rate knowledge and continually upgraded skills if they want to hear the word "Hired!" Pilots who train at quality aviation schools and who possess the technical knowledge, first-rate flying skills and a professional attitude will have the hiring edge!

FACT: Professionalism and knowledge are now prerequisites for entrance into the worldwide airline industry. Fast paced, "fast track" programs, or self-study courses will not meet the new airline industry standards.
Q and A for Future Flight Training Students

Where can I get flying lessons?
To find the top flight schools in the United States, visit flight school directories at the following websites: pilotjourney,
Bestaviation, aopa, and aviationschoolsonline.

All of these directories offer a search by zip code, city, state or name of the school. Choose a couple of schools first so you can compare. Do your research, call and talk to the instructors, visit the school if possible and then decide what flight school will give the best education for your money.

Is It Hard to Learn to Fly?
If you have the passion, the skill will come. People of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities have learned to fly. It’s fun, and from the beginning of your training, you get to do most of the actual flying! On the practical side—While flying isn’t a difficult skill to learn, you’ll have to be willing to stick with it until you meet all the requirements.

Is Flying safe?
A well-built and well-maintained aircraft flown by a competent and prudent pilot is as safe or safer than many other forms of transportation. Flight schools aircraft are also highly maintained.

What is the difference between a recreational pilot’s certificate and a private pilot’s certificate?
As a recreational pilot, you have to fly within 50 nautical miles of the airport where you learned to fly, you have to fly during the day, and you can’t fly in airspace where communications with air traffic control are required. You are better off just getting your private pilots license. It will only take you a couple more hours. A private pilot doesn’t have these limitations. It usually takes fewer lessons to get a recreational pilot’s certificate than a private pilot’s certificate. Some flight schools do not offer the recreational pilots certificate.

Financing
Now is the best time to go to flight training school. The economy is improving and the commercial pilot job market is opening up. By 2011, experts predict the commercial aviation business will be booming again.

FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is your first step for flight school financing. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit FAFSA website for more information.

Flight School is Fun in Florida

2010-04-26T12:08:00.000-04:00
You know how hard your flight training is going to be. You will be devoting 2 + years of your life to the most grueling and intensive schooling you can imagine. We don’t have to keep reminding you about this. Today, we want to point out the fun part of a flight training school – and why it makes a lot of sense to get your flight training in Florida.

Florida has a sub-tropical climate with long summers and short, mild winters. It is perfect for year-round outdoor activities. The average median temperate in central Florida is 75 degrees and the skies are clear and sunny about 280 days out of the year. The good weather allows you to log more flying hours faster, get your degree quicker and be on your way sooner to an aviation career.

The state is abundant with diversity. From Key West to Pensacola, there is variety everywhere you look. It is the fourth largest state in the United States with a population of over 18 million people. It has a total coastline of 1,197 statute miles.

The beaches are spectacular. Florida has three of the best beaches in the country, according to National Geographic Magazine. Flight training schools that are right next to the beach like Aviator College in Ft. Pierce and schools in Daytona Beach give flight students a great respite from all the hard work and studying.

The attractions in Florida are endless. There is the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is the nation’s gateway to exploring, discovering and understanding the universe.

Orlando has been called the tourist destination of the world. It is the home of Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld and Walt Disney World Resort. Perhaps the most interesting attraction for flight training students at Walt Disney World is EPCOT Center. The park is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. The name Epcot comes from the acronym EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), a utopian city of the future and a showcase to the world for the ingenuity and imagination of American free enterprise.

Recreation and exercise are also important for a flight training student. A flight student needs to be in good shape mentally and physically – and Florida is the best place in the world to stay in shape mentally and physically.

If you like golf, you will like Florida. Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the country – over 1,200 public and private courses. There is swimming, tennis, jogging and health clubs galore. There is water skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing. In 2009, fishing was a $6 billion industry in Florida, employing 60,000 jobs for sporting and commercial purposes.

Florida – Flight School, U.S.A.
When you add it all up - the quality of the flight schools, the climate, the environment, the variety and diversity, you will see that flight training in Florida will not only give you a superior education, it will be a fun and enjoyable experience as well.

5 Helpful Tips For Flight School Financing

2010-04-23T10:22:00.000-04:00
Now is the best time to go to flight training school. The economy is improving and the commercial pilot job market is opening up. By 2011, experts predict the commercial aviation business will be booming again. So what are you waiting for? Here are the best ways to get financing for a flight school and make your dream come true.

FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is your first step for flight school financing. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit their website for more information.

1) Pell Grants: These are one of the most popular government loans. The award amount is directly related to the student’s expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA form and the student’s enrollment status.

2) Federal Perkins Loan: This low-interest loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to the flight school you are attending. The loan accrues no interest while the student attends school or during a nine-month grace period.

3) Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL): Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student. The FFEL PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

4) Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): This federal grant is for full-time, undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible U.S. citizens who have completed a rigorous High School curricula and are in their first two years of study. ACG grants are for first and second-year students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

5) Sallie Mae Career Training Loan: This loan may be able to provide you with all the benefits of a traditional alternative student loan. It can fund up to the full cost of the flight school. The Career Training Loan from Sallie Mae is one of the most practical loans for students pursuing a trade program. It allows applicants to apply with a co-borrower if necessary, borrow up to the full cost for the program along with all related expenses and still benefit from flexible repayment terms and interest rates.

There are plenty of other ways to get financing for flight training school. These are five of the best government loan programs. Get your financing, get your training and good luck with your new career.

Does Your Flight Training School Teach You About Volcanoes?

2010-04-21T11:18:00.000-04:00
London - Many European flights took to the skies yesterday for the first time in days but the chaos is far from over. London's airports were still closed, a massive backlog was growing and scientists feared yet another volcanic eruption in Iceland. Airports in London - including Heathrow, the busiest in Europe - won't reopen until today (4/21/10) and forecasters said more delays were possible if the volcanic ash cloud stayed over the country. Still, it was the first day since Iceland's big volcano erupted last week that travelers were given a glimmer of hope.

"Everyone was screaming in the airplane from happiness," said Savvas Toumarides of Cyprus, who finally arrived in New York after being stuck in Amsterdam for five days.

"The situation today is much improved," said Brian Flynn, deputy head of Eurocontrol, the organization that supports air traffic across the European skies.

How Volcanic Ash Threatens Aircraft
Volcanoes are not a hypothetical hazard, they are a real and serious threat. There have been over 100 encounters of aircraft with ash clouds since the early 1970s, and the majority of these have involved aircraft damage.
In 1989, a KLM Boeing 747 flew into an ash cloud near Mt. Redoubt in Alaska. Within 60 seconds, microscopic volcanic glass shards shut down all four of the engines. With 245 passengers on board, the plane plummeted 13,000 ft before the pilots managed to restart engines and steer the damaged craft to an emergency landing. Since the 1970s, eight planes are known to have lost engines. Six known airplane-ash encounters have occurred over the last 12 months. Here are the different kinds of damage that volcanic ash can cause to an aircraft :

Sandblasting
Ash can "blind" pilots by sandblasting the windscreen requiring an instrument landing. Sandblasting can damage the fuselage, coat the plane and damage the landing lights, making their beams diffuse and unable to be projected in the forward direction. Propellor aircraft are also endangered.

Lack of Oxygen
Simple lack of oxygen is given as a probable cause of engine failure.

Clogging of the Plane's Sensors
Accumulation of ash can also block an aircraft's pitot tubes. This can lead to failure of the aircraft's air speed indicators.

Electromagnetic Wave Insulation
Volcanic ash particles are charged and disturb communication by radio.

Combustion Power Failure
Volcanic ash damages machinery. The effect on jet aircraft engines is particularly severe as large amounts of air are sucked in during combustion operation, posing a great danger to aircraft flying near ash clouds. Very fine volcanic ash particles sucked into a jet engine melt at about 1,100 °C, fusing onto the blades and other parts of the turbine. They can erode and destroy parts, drive it out-of-balance, and cause jams in rotating machinery.

This often causes a jet engine to cut out and failure of all of a plane's engines is common. The standard emergency procedure when jet engines begin to fail had been to increase power, which makes the problem worse. The best procedure is to throttle back the engines, and to lose height so as to drop below the ash cloud as quickly as possible. The inrush of cold, clean air is usually enough to cool, solidify, and shatter the glass, unclogging the engines.

Now you see why - in spite of all the money that was lost because of the Iceland volcano - safety always comes first in aviation.

There are only a few flight training schools in the world who teach you everything you need to know about aviation - including the threat of volcanoes. Make sure you find a flight training school that gives you a complete flight training education.

What is a Near Miss in Commercial Aviation?

2010-03-31T10:12:00.000-04:00
A recent “near miss” that occurred in San Francisco, California this past weekend - March 26, 2010 - illustrates the seriousness of these kinds of incidents. The potential for catastrophe is devastating. The “near miss” involved a Boeing 777 that was carrying 261 passengers and a small Cessna four-seat, single-engine, light airplane. This is important reading for every flight training student and pilot.

San Francisco - Federal investigators are looking into the near collision of a commercial jet and small airplane near San Francisco International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration will take "strong measures to make sure something similar does not occur in the future" following Saturday's near-miss between United Airlines Flight 889 to Beijing, China, and a light-wing airplane, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.

The closest the planes came to each other was 300 feet vertically and 1,500 feet horizontally, Ian Gregor said. The United flight continued to Beijing with no further incident.

According to Gregor, air traffic controllers cleared the United flight, a Boeing 777 carrying 251 passengers, for takeoff at 11:15 a.m. and quickly spotted the Cessna 182 flying south.

The controller radioed both planes' pilots and the jet's automatic traffic collision avoidance system alerted its pilots of the small aircraft approaching, causing them to level the jet's climb.

The Cessna pilot reported that he had the 777 in sight, and adjusted his path to maneuver above and behind the 777.
Ian Gregor said the controller should have noticed the Cessna earlier, but noted that the pilots were quickly contacted once the situation was recognized.

What is a “Near Miss?”
A “near miss” is a narrowly avoided collision involving two or more aircraft usually in the air or approaching an airport. A near miss at an airport is often called a “runway incursion.”

The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) has been collecting voluntary reports of close calls from pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers since 1976. The system was established after TWA Flight 514 crashed on approach to Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., killing all 85 passengers and seven crew in 1974. The investigation that followed found that the pilot misunderstood an ambiguous response from the Dulles air traffic controllers, and that earlier another airline had told its pilots, but not other airlines, about a similar near miss.

The ASRS identifies deficiencies and provides data for planning improvements to stakeholders without regulatory action. Some familiar safety rules, such as turning off electronic devices that can interfere with navigation equipment, are a result of this program. Due to near miss observations and other technological improvements, the rate of fatal accidents has dropped about 65 percent, to one fatal accident in about 4.5 million departures, from one in nearly 2 million in 1997.

In the United Kingdom, a “near miss” is called an "airprox" by the Civil Aviation Authority. Since reporting them began in England, aircraft near misses have continued to decline.

Even though “near misses” are not as common as they used to be, every flight training student should be aware and prepared in case they ever happen to them.

Five of the World’s Strangest Commercial Airports

2010-03-30T13:11:00.000-04:00
Engineers are faced with countless challenges when they build an airport. The ideal location needs abundant space, endless flat ground, favorable winds and great visibility. But locations in the real world are rarely ideal, and engineers are forced to work with what they have, making sure that the end product is the safest possible structure for pilots and passengers. A survey of airports around the world turns up a mixed bag, ranging from dangerous and rugged landing strips to giant facilities that operate like small cities.

Popular Mechanics Magazine has put together this interesting list of the world's strangest airports and why they stand out. It is interesting reading for flight training students and everyone else who likes flying and aviation.

1. Gibraltar Airport
The tiny British territory of Gibraltar sits between Morocco and Spain. Construction of the airport dates back to World War II, and it continues to serve as a base for the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force, though commercial flights land on a daily basis. Winston Churchill Avenue, Gibraltar's busiest road, cuts directly across the runway. Railroad-style crossing gates hold cars back every time a plane lands or departs.

2. Kansai International Airport – Osaka, Japan
Kansai's artificial island is 2.5 miles long and 1.6 miles wide—so large that it is visible from space. Earthquakes, dangerous cyclones, an unstable seabed, and sabotage attempts from protestors are just some of the variables engineers were forced to account for. As impressive as the airport is, Stewart Schreckengast, a professor of aviation technology at Purdue University, cautions that climate change and rising sea levels pose a very real threat to the airport's existence. "When this was built, [engineers] probably didn't account for global warming," he says. "In 50 years or so, this might be underwater.

3. Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport - Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Getting to this paradise-like island can be a bit distressing thanks to a 1300-foot-long runway, slightly longer than most aircraft carrier runways. Large planes aren't landing here, but the small runway is difficult even for Cessna’s and similar aircraft. "The little X means don't land there," says Stewart Schreckengast. "It's challenging, but if you don't have something like that, the people here don't get things they routinely need, like mail." Given the limited amount of land and rolling topography of the island, not many other options exist.

4. Qamdo Bangda Airport - Qamdo, Tibet
This is the world's highest airport, perched more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Even more impressive than the airport's altitude, perhaps, is the nearly 3.5-mile-long runway.

Having a runway that's the length of 61 football fields may seem a tad excessive, but Stewart Schreckengast says that long runways are crucial to making safe landings at higher altitudes. "When you go up to these higher-elevation airports, then your approach speed, landing speed and takeoff speeds will need a higher ground speed," he says. "At sea level, where your approach speed is 150 mph, it may take 5000 feet of runway to stop. At 14,000 feet your approach speed is still 150, but maybe it takes 10,000 feet to stop."

5: Don Mueang International Airport - Bangkok, Thailand
From a distance Don Mueang International looks like any other midsize airport. However, smack-dab in the middle of the two runways is an 18-hole golf course.

Stewart Schreckengast, says one of the major problems is that the only taxiways were located at the end of the runways. "We recommended that they build an additional taxiway in the middle, from side to side, and they said ‘absolutely not, that will take out a green and one fairway.'" The airport and the course were originally an all-military operation, but have since opened up to commercial traffic. Security threats, however, have limited the public's access to the greens.

Flight training students can see more of these strange airports by going to Chris Sweeney’s excellent article on the Popular Mechanics website.

5 Ways to Find A Perfect Flight Training School

2010-03-29T11:57:00.000-04:00
So you want to be a commercial pilot? Perfect. It is an excellent career choice and there isn’t better profession in the world. But how do you accomplish this? The first thing you need to do is find a flight training school. There are many flight schools out there – over 1400 in the U.S. at last count - so selecting the perfect school may be a challenge. Don’t worry – we made a list so the selection process will be easy. Here are five ways to find a flight training school that will be perfect for you.

Qualifications
Make sure the flight school you are considering is accredited and certified. Check their reputation. You can do this through the local FAA Flight Standards District Office, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Air Transportation Association and the Better Business Bureau. They will give you information about a school’s business practices and safety record. Look for a school with a good record of getting graduates employment. It is important for a flight school to help you get your first job.

Facilities
What does the facility look like? Is it cluttered, unattended to or run down? Then chances are your flight training will be the same. A clean and professional facility means a well- run organization.

How many planes are in the fleet? Are they properly maintained? Can you see the maintenance logs? A flight training plane should be serviced after every 100 hours of flight time. It doesn’t have to be new when you are learning to fly but it does have to well-maintained.

Make sure to inquire about flight simulators. Various categories of flight simulators and flight training devices are used for pilot training. They range from Part-Task Trainers (PTTs) that cover one or more aircraft systems, Cockpit Procedures Trainers (CPT) for practicing drills and checks, to Full Flight Simulators (FFS).

Student Housing Options
You are most likely going to be living away from home when you attend a flight training school and housing can get pretty expensive. Take a look at the housing facilities and look at the local real estate listings, prices and availability. Check the cost of living index of the city the school is in. You can do this by going to Google. A city with a low cost of living will be a better environment for learning.

Financing
Does the flight training school give you a choice of payment plans? It is important for the school to offer you payment plans and options. We are still in tough economic times and that makes it tough for a flight school student.
If you are a veteran, make sure the flight training school is approved for the GI Post 9/11 Bill. The Post 9/11 Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Location
Location is important when you are looking for a flight training school. What the weather is like is a key factor for getting a commercial pilot license. Florida is a great place to earn your wings. The average median temperate in central Florida is 75 degrees and the skies are clear and sunny over 280 days out of the year. The good weather allows you to log more flying hours faster, get your degree quicker and be on your way sooner to an aviation career.

Some of Florida’s flight training schools, however, are in major urban areas like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. High-density traffic on the ground means high density traffic in the air. Find an aviation school in a town or small city where it isn’t congested. This will be better for you when you are learning to fly.

These are five ways to find a flight training school that will be perfect for you. Good luck and happy flying!

The Practical Examination For Flight Training Students

2010-03-25T11:03:00.000-04:00
The following is a section about the FAA's Practical Examination. It is part of our continuing series of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge for flight training students that is published by the FAA. This is the second part of the examination you will have to take in order to obain your license. It is the practical exam - or the flying part of the test. Most flight training students and pilots call this the "checkride." We discussed the skill examination - the written part of the test - in an earlier article.

Practical Examination
The FAA has developed PTS's (practical test standards) for FAA pilot certificates and associated ratings. These practical tests are administered by FAA ASIs and DPEs. 14 CFR part 61 specifies the areas of operation in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant. Since the FAA requires all practical tests be conducted in accordance with the appropriate PTS, and the policies set forth in the Introduction section of the PTS book, the pilot applicant should become familiar with this book during training.

The PTS book is a testing document and not intended to be a training syllabus. An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the pilot applicant to acceptable standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers. Descriptions of tasks and information on how to perform maneuvers and procedures are contained in reference and teaching documents such as the Pilot's handbook. A list of reference documents is contained in the Introduction section of each PTS book.

Each "task" is comprised of knowledge areas, flight procedures, and/or flight maneuvers appropriate to the area of operation. The candidate is required to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in all tasks for the original issuance of all pilot certificates.

When To Take the Practical Exam
14 CFR part 61 establishes the ground school and flight experience requirements for the type of certification and aircraft selected. However, the CFI best determines when an applicant is qualified for the practical test. A practice practical test is an important step in the flight training process.

The applicant will be asked to present the following documentation:

FAA Form 8710-1 (8710.11 for sport pilot applicants), Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, with the flight instructor’s recommendation.

An Airman Knowledge Test Report with a satisfactory grade.

A medical certificate (not required for glider or balloon), and a student pilot certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (airplane and rotorcraft), and for the make and model aircraft to be used for the practical test (driver’s license or medical certificate for sport pilot applicants).

The pilot log book records.

A graduation certificate from an FAA-approved flight school (if applicable).

The applicant must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to

the areas of operation required for the practical test. He or she will also be asked to produce and explain the:

Aircraft’s registration certificate

Aircraft’s airworthiness certificate

Aircraft’s operating limitations or FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (if required)

Aircraft equipment list • Required weight and balance data • Maintenance records • Applicable airworthiness directives (ADs)
For a detailed explanation of the required pilot maneuvers and performance standards, refer to the PTSs pertaining to the type of certification and aircraft selected. These standards may be downloaded free of charge from the FAA.

They can also be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents or GPO bookstores. Most airport fixed-base operators and flight schools carry a variety of government publications and charts, as well as commercially published materials.

The Boeing 747 The Mightiest Plane in the Sky

2010-03-24T13:52:00.000-04:00
There is nothing like it and there will never be anything like it again. The Boeing 747 - the world's first wide body commercial airliner. It is the most recognizable aircraft in the world and perhaps the most commercially successful aircraft in aviation history. The 747 is manufactured by Boeing's Commercial Airplane unit in the United States. The original version of the 747 was two and a half times the size of the Boeing 707, one of the most popular large planes of the 1960's. The 747 first flew commercially in 1970 and it held the passenger capacity record for 37 years.

The four-engine 747 uses a double deck configuration for part of its length. It is available in passenger, freighter and other versions. Boeing designed the 747's hump-like upper deck to serve as a first class lounge or for extra seating and to allow the aircraft to be easily converted to a cargo carrier by removing seats and installing a front cargo door. The 747 exceeded expectations with production passing the 1,000 mark in 1993. As of June 2009, 1,416 747's have been built, with 107 more in various configurations remaining on order.

History
The 747 was conceived while air travel was increasing in the 1960's, led by the enormous popularity of the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8. Boeing was urged by Juan Trippe, president of Pan American Airlines, to build a passenger aircraft more than twice the size of the 707.

In 1965, Joe Sutter began working on the design. Sutter was the chief engineer of the Boeing 747 and is often referred to as the "father of the 747." At the time, it was thought that the 747 would eventually be superseded by supersonic transport aircraft. Boeing responded by designing the 747 so it could be adapted easily to carry freight and remain in service even if sales of the passenger version declined.

On January 15, 1970, the first 747, Pan Am's Clipper Victor, was christened in Washington D.C. It entered service on January 22, 1970 on a route from New York to London. The 747 enjoyed a smooth introduction into service and the rest is history.

If you are a flight student, you have probably flown in one of these magnificent planes as a passenger. It will be an even more exhilarating experience if you get the chance to command it as a pilot.

Boeing 747 Facts

Flight
The 747 fleet has logged more than 42 billion nautical miles (77.8 billion kilometers), equivalent to 101,500 trips from the Earth to the moon and back.

The 747 fleet has flown 3.5 billion people - the equivalent of more than half of the world's population.

Parts
A 747-400 has six million parts, half of which are fasteners.
A 747-400 has 171 miles (274 km) of wiring and 5 miles (8 km) of tubing.
A 747-400 consists of 147,000 pounds (66,150 kg) of high-strength aluminum.
The 747-400 has 16 main landing gear tires and two nose landing gear tires.
The 747-400 tail height is 63 feet 8 inches (19.4 m), equivalent to a six-story building.

Wings
The 747-400 wing weighs 95,000 pounds (43,090 kg), more than 30 times the weight of the first Boeing airplane, the 1916 B&W.

The 747-400 wing measures 5,600 square feet (524.9 m 2 ), an area large enough to hold 45 medium-sized automobiles.

Flight Training Fundamentals Knowledge Examination

2010-03-23T11:19:00.000-04:00
This is a continuing series of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge for flight training students. The handbook is published by the Federal Aviation Administration and provides important information for flight training students and for pilots who already know how to fly. Here is a part from the chapter about Knowledge and Skill Examinations.

These are the two exams administered by the FAA that a flight training student needs to take and pass before he or she is issued a license. This section is about the knowledge test. We will discuss the skill examination in another upcoming article.

Knowledge Examination
The knowledge test is the computer portion of the exams taken to obtain pilot certification. The test contains questions of the objective, multiple-choice type. This testing method conserves the applicant’s time, eliminates any element of individual judgment in determining grades, and saves time in scoring.

If pursuing a recreational pilot or private pilot certificate, it is important to become familiar with 14 CFR part 61, section 61.23, Medical Certificates: Requirements and Duration; 14 CFR section 61.35, Knowledge Test: Prerequisites and Passing Grades; and 14 CFR section 61.83, Eligibility Requirements for Student Pilot, for detailed information pertaining to prerequisites and eligibility.

If pursuing a recreational pilot certificate, it is important to review 14 CFR section 61.96, Applicability and Eligibility.
Requirements: General, for additional detailed information pertaining to eligibility; and if pursuing a private pilot certificate, 14 CFR section 61.103, Eligibility Requirements: General, contains additional detailed information pertaining to eligibility. Sample test questions can be downloaded from Airmen Knowledge Test Questions:

Each applicant must register to take the test, and provide proper identification and authorization proving eligibility to take a particular FAA test. The option to take an untimed sample test will be offered. The actual test is time limited, but most applicants have sufficient time to complete and review the test. Upon completion of the knowledge test, the applicant receives an Airman Knowledge Test Report that reflects the score and is embossed with the testing center’s seal. To pass, a minimum score of 70 must be attained.

When To Take the Examination
The knowledge test is more meaningful to the applicant and more likely to result in a satisfactory grade if it is taken after beginning the flight portion of the training. Therefore, the FAA recommends the knowledge test be taken after the student pilot has completed a solo cross-country flight. The operational knowledge gained by this experience can be used to the student’s advantage in the knowledge test. The student pilot’s CFI is the best person to determine when the applicant is ready to take the knowledge exam.

Where To Take the Examination
The FAA has hundreds of designated computer testing centers worldwide that administer FAA knowledge tests. These testing centers offer the full range of airman knowledge tests. Applicants will be charged a fee for the administration of FAA knowledge tests. A complete list of test centers, their locations and phone numbers can be downloaded at “Airmen Certification Frequently Asked Questions”

An applicant can also contact the local FSDO to obtain this information. If the student pilot chooses a 14 CFR part 141 flight school with test examining authority, the school will administer the knowledge test during the curriculum.

8 Ways To Get Financing For Flight Training

2010-03-22T12:11:00.000-04:00
It's a good time to go to flight training school. The economy is improving and the commercial pilot job market is opening up. Sp what are you waiting for? Here is a list of 8 ways to get financing for your flight school if you are not a U.S. veteran. If you are a veteran, the post 9/11 G.I. bill is your best bet.

FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid - is your first step in the financial aid process for your flight training. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit their website for more information.

1) Pell Grants: This need-based award varies. The award amount is directly related to the student’s expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA form and the student’s enrollment status (full time, half time, etc.)

2) Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL): Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student. Federal Stafford Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): The FFEL PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

3) Federal Direct Loans: Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): The Direct PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

4) Federal Perkins Loan: This low-interest loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to the flight school you are attending. The loan accrues no interest while the student attends school or during the nine-month grace period.

5) Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): Grants through this federal program are available to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students with the greatest need.

6) Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): This federal grant is for full-time, undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible U.S. citizens who have completed a rigorous High School curricula and are in their first two years of study. ACG grants are for first and second-year students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

There are also a few traditional student loan providers that now offer professional or trade school loans - perfect for a flight training school.

7) Sallie Mae’s Career Training Loan: This loan may be able to provide you with all the benefits of a traditional alternative student loan. It can fund up to the full cost of the flight school, non-degree seeking program, full-time or part-time participation, and flexible repayment terms.The Career Training Loan from Sallie Mae is one of the most practical loans for students pursuing a trade program. It allows applicants to apply with a co-borrower if necessary, borrow up to the full cost for the program along with all related expenses and still benefit from flexible repayment terms and interest rates.

8) A small number of lenders have created a new brand of private student loan that fills a vacuum for flight school students. Trade and technical school loans feature high loan limits and flexible repayment plans, many of the same features of more traditional private loans. Check with any local bank for more details about these kind of loans.

There are plenty of ways to get financing for flight training school. You made a good choice for a career. Good luck and happy flying!

Flight Training Facts - Instrument Landing System

2010-03-19T10:01:00.000-04:00
Do you ever wonder how a commercial jet makes a safe landing in the middle of a blinding rainstorm or in dense fog with zero or limited visibility? It is accomplished with an instrument landing system. Here is brief summary that was provided by Wikipedia.

It is important reading for any flight training student or flying enthusiast.

Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system (ILS) is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow.

Marker Beacons
A marker beacon is a type of low frequency radio beacon used in conjunction with an instrument landing system that gives pilots a means to determine position along the runway. They are now gradually being phased out of service, especially in more developed parts of the world, as GPS and other technologies have made marker beacons increasingly obsolete.

Outer Marker
The purpose of this beacon is to provide height, distance and equipment functioning checks to aircraft on intermediate and final approach.

Middle Marker
The middle marker should be located so as to indicate, in low visibility conditions, the missed approach point, and the point that visual contact with the runway is imminent. Middle markers are no longer required in the United States so many of them are being discontinued.

Inner Marker
The inner marker, when installed, shall be located so as to indicate in low visibility conditions the imminence of arrival at the runway threshold.

History
Tests of the ILS system began in 1929, and the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) authorized installation of the system in 1941 at six locations. The first landing of a scheduled U.S. passenger airliner using ILS was in 1938, when a plane flew from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh and landed in a snowstorm using only the instrument landing system. The first fully automatic landing using ILS was at Bedford Airport UK in March 1964.

There is much more information about this important subject. We will pass it along to flight training students in an upcoming article soon.

Why You need to do Your Homework before you go to Flight Training School

2010-03-18T09:53:00.000-04:00
Not all trade schools are the same. Not all flight training schools are the same, either. You may face serious challenges and mountains of debt when you graduate - if the school is even around when you are supposed to graduate.

According to a recent New York Times article, unsrcupulous for-profit schools are making enormous profits during these recessionary times. Many trade and training schools have overpromised and underdelivered for years, but the bad economy has made it worse and has added many risks to students. These schools have exploited the recession as a way to make money by tapping into large pools of federal student aid.

Two years ago, students at for–profit trade schools received $3.2 billion in Pell grants, according to the Department of Education. By the 2011–12 school year, students at for–profit schools will receive more than $10 billion in Pell grants, more than their public counterparts. Enrollment at for–profit trade schools has increased about 20 percent a year the last two years, more than double the pace from 2001 to 2007.

"During a recession, with increased demand for education and more anxiety about the ability to get a job, there is a heightened level of hazard," said Robert Shireman, a U.S. Government secretary of education. "There is a lot of Pell grant money out there, and we need to make sure it's being used effectively."

Go to a Flight Training School You Trust
Do your homework before you sign any contract. Make sure the flight training school is qualified, accredited and reliable. Check the reputation of the flight school you are considering. You can do this through the local FAA Flight Standards District Office, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Air Transportation Association, the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. They can give you vital information about a school’s business practices. Make sure the flight training school has been operating for at least fifteen years.

Look for a school with a good record of getting graduates work. Many flight academies have job connections with commuter and regional airlines. Other schools claim they can get you interviews with major airlines. In any case, it is important for a flight school to help you get your first job.

If you are not extremely careful when you select a flight training school, you might be waiting in line for a long time - not the airport security line, the unemployment line.

5 Reasons a British Flight Student Should Go to a Flight Training School in Florida

2010-03-16T12:49:00.000-04:00
The British are coming! They are coming to Florida flight training schools from all over the United Kingdom. While England has some good aviation schools, there are many motivating reasons for a British flight student to get his or her education across the pond today.

Weather
Location is an important consideration when you are looking for a flight training school. What the weather is like is a major factor for getting a commercial pilot license. Good weather allows you to log more flying hours faster, get your degree quicker and be on the way sooner to your new aviation career.

The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom is 1339.7 hours (55 days.) Although the south coast of England has clearer skies, counties like Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent have annual average totals of only 1,750 hours of sunshine per year - or 72 days.

Florida has a sub-tropical climate with long summers and short, mild winters. The average median temperate in central Florida is 75 degrees and the skies are clear and sunny almost 300 days of the year and that makes it ideal for flight training.

Cost
It is a good time to train in Florida for financial reasons. The weaker U.S. dollar means the British pound will get you more for your money. Tuition is less expensive in the U.S. than at a comparable flight school in England and the cost-of-living will be less expensive, too.

Training
England has many reputable aviation schools. One school is over 80 years ago - it was founded in 1926. But age doesn't necessarily translate into a quality aviation education. Technology is constantly changing in this industry and Florida flight training schools have the most up-to-date facilities and equipment in the world. Many of the world's best flight instructors reside in Florida, too - and some even come from England. True - British aviation schools are older than their Florida counterparts but there are Florida flight schools that were founded 10, 20, even 30 years ago - and that's more than enough time to give you a world-class education.

F-1 Visa
If you have decided to get your flight training in Florida, make sure the school has an F-1 visa program. This program is designed for the international student who not only wants to receive FAA certificates and ratings, but also to stay on as a flight instructor to build flight time towards the ATP (Airline Transportation Pilot) Certificate.

Civil Aviation Authority
Many flight schools in Florida use the same high training standards that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recommends. The CAA is the British equivalent of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the two agencies share many of same guidelines although the FAA is a larger organization. The Civil Aviation Authority was established to provide cost effective, efficient air trafic control over British airspace and maintain and improve safety standards.

If you are a British citizen considering a career as a commercial pilot - these are a few good reasons to choose a flight training school in Florida.

Flight Training Fundamentals – Landing Gear

2010-03-15T09:38:00.000-04:00
Landing gear - or undercarriage - is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to takeoff, land and taxi. It is the portion of the aircraft consisting of the wheels, tires, brakes, energy absorption mechanism, and drag brace. Additional components attached to and functioning with the landing gear may include retracting mechanisms, steering devices, shimmy dampers, and door panels.

A flight training student will need to know all about the mechanics of landing gears and how they operate. The flight student will also learn about “gear-up” landing incidents and how dangerous and costly they can be.

The landing gear supports the aircraft on the ground and provides a means of motion. It also serves as the primary means of absorbing the large amounts of energy in the transition from flight to ground roll during a landing approach. The brakes, normally located in the main wheels, are used to stop the forward motion of the aircraft on the ground and may also provide some control in the steering of the aircraft. In most modern aircraft the landing gear is designed to retract into the aircraft so that it is out of the airstream and drag is reduced.

Early aircraft and many small aircraft use a tail-wheel (or skid) in a conventional, or tail-dragger arrangement, in which the main landing gear is located ahead or forward of the center of gravity of the aircraft. Modern aircraft use a “tricycle” landing gear arrangement with the main gear located behind or aft of the center of gravity, and a nose gear located forward which carries about 20% of the static weight of the aircraft. Large aircraft like Boeing 747’s, Airbus A380’s and military transport aircraft use multiple-wheeled “bogies” (the chassis or framework that that carries the wheels) to support their huge weight.

Landing Gear and Accidents
Malfunctions or human errors (or a combination of these) related to retractable landing gear have been the cause of numerous accidents and incidents throughout aviation history. Distraction and preoccupation during the landing sequence is the main reason for the approximately 100 gear-up landing incidents that occurred each year in the United States between 1998 and 2003. A gear-up landing incident is an accident that may result from the pilot simply forgetting, or failing, to lower the landing gear before landing or a mechanical malfunction that does not allow the landing gear to be lowered. Although rarely fatal, a gear-up landing is very expensive, as it causes massive airframe damage. For propeller driven aircraft it almost always requires a complete rebuild of the engines because the propellers strike the ground and come to a complete stoppage if they are running during impact.

A flight student will need to learn all about an aircraft – from the nose to the tail. This part about landing gear is one of the most important elements for your flight school training and career.

Flight School 101 The Purpose of Flight Training

2010-03-12T10:17:00.000-05:00
We all know what flight training is – but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has actually defined it in one of their manuals - the Airplane Flying Handbook. Here is a brief description from the first chapter of this manual that defines and discusses the purpose of flight training.

Airplane Flying Handbook
The overall purpose of flight training is the learning and honing of basic airmanship skills. These skills are defined as:

A complete familiarity with the principles of flight.

The ability to operate an aircraft with competence and precision on the ground and in the air, and the exercise of good judgment that results in optimal operational safety and efficiency.
Learning to fly a plane has often been compared to learning to drive an automobile. But this analogy is misleading. An airplane operates in a different environment, three dimensional, so it requires a different type of motor skill development that is more sensitive to this situation:

Timing - The application of muscular coordination at the proper instant to make flight, and all maneuvers incident thereto, a constant smooth process.

Coordination - The ability to use the hands and feet together subconsciously and in the proper relationship to produce desired results in the air- plane.

Control touch - The ability to sense the action of the airplane and its probable actions in the immediate future, with regard to attitude and speed variations, by the sensing and evaluation of varying pressures and resistance of the control surfaces transmitted through the cockpit flight controls.

Speed sense - The ability to instantly sense and react to any reasonable variation of airspeed.

A pilot becomes one with the airplane instead of simply the operator of a machine. An accomplished pilot demonstrates the ability to assess situations quickly and accurately and analyze the correct procedure to be followed under the circumstance; to understand the probable results of a given set of circumstances or of a proposed procedure; to exercise care and due regard for safety; to gauge accurately the performance of the airplane; and to recognize personal limitations and limitations of the airplane and avoid approaching the critical points of each. The development of airmanship skills requires effort and dedication on the part of both the student pilot and the flight instructor, beginning with the very first training flight where proper habit formation begins with the student being introduced to good operating practices.

Each aircraft has its own particular flight characteristics. The purpose of training is not to learn how to fly a specific make and model airplane - it is to develop skills and safe habits that are transferable to any aircraft. Basic airmanship skills serve as a firm foundation for this. The pilot who has acquired necessary airmanship skills during training, and demonstrates these skills by flying training-type airplanes with precision and safe flying habits, will be able to easily transition to more complex and higher performance airplanes. You should also remember that the goal of flight training is safe and competent piloting, and passing required practical tests for pilot certification is only incidental to this goal.

This information is important for flight training students and prospective flight students alike. The definition above more accurately describes the exciting career you are about to undertake.

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2010-01-21T09:31:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Schools in Florida http://bit.ly/8xMgpZ

2010-01-20T11:31:00.001-05:00
Commercial Pilot Checklist - Runway Safety

2010-01-19T10:39:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Fundamentals � Theories in the Production of Lift http://bit.ly/7f6Eod

2010-01-15T08:58:00.001-05:00
Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts Center Around An Aging Airport http://bit.ly/5jjJjP

2010-01-13T10:06:00.001-05:00
Flight Training School Financing http://bit.ly/4oiAfV

2010-01-12T11:20:00.001-05:00
Landings, Forced Landings and Ditching http://bit.ly/6DbEcE

2010-01-11T10:36:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Fundamentals � Principles of Flight http://bit.ly/6wT637

2010-01-08T11:09:00.001-05:00
Turbulence Continues for Airbus A380, the World�s Biggest Passenger Aircraft http://bit.ly/4O7Bk1

2010-01-07T12:19:00.001-05:00
Flight Training for Indian Students http://bit.ly/6ryCxi

2010-01-06T09:53:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Fundamentals � Major Components http://bit.ly/8N950I

2010-01-06T09:52:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Fundamentals � Major Components http://bit.ly/5YiszS

2010-01-05T09:14:00.001-05:00
Flight Training Fundamentals - Aircraft Structure http://bit.ly/900fOX

2010-01-04T12:11:00.001-05:00
Flight Training for Veterans http://bit.ly/8U9iAc

2009-12-31T13:06:00.001-05:00
Happy New Year, Flight Training Students http://bit.ly/80PwDK

2009-12-30T10:05:00.001-05:00
Flight School Financing and Scholarships http://bit.ly/4ntdwc

2009-12-29T12:18:00.001-05:00
4 Reasons to Start Your Aviation School Training Now http://bit.ly/8gAm3X

2009-12-28T12:35:00.001-05:00
How to Find The Best Flight Training School http://bit.ly/8FacQT