Jon's Blog (4)

Keeping your pilot library up to date is critical to staying ready for safe flying and flight reviews. Rules and guidance changes frequently. Regulations, Practical Test Standards and Question Banks all change about twice each year. In addition, In the last 2 years, the FAA has released new Weight and Balance Handbook, Instrument Procedures Handbook, Instructor Guide and Plane Sense manuals. These Pilot Libraries include best sel… Continue

Did you just get a note from Sporty's that they are already out with their new Pilot Regulations? Why so soon? I am surprised that Sportys and others are already promoting their 2009 FAR/AIM. They usually at least wait until after October when the government fiscal year rolls over to justify the new year. If they printed after 1 October, at least the CFR Title 49 on accident reporting would be current. It is updated each October. The fact is that the main section of the FAR (CFR Title 14 on fli… Continue

The aviation weather reporting system can be confusing. This article from the FAA gives tips on How to Obtain a Good Weather Briefing. To it I add, my advice: * If you are calling for a weather briefing, back that up by using the Duats site. It is easier for me to look at a report in writing than to hear a briefer ramble on about it. Check weather online first and then you can ask your briefer for trends and clarification on the phone rather than trying to get everything from them. If you can o… Continue

You must be at least 17 years old and read, speak and understand English. Meet these criteria, and you´re ready to start. 10 easy steps to a Private Pilot License: 1. Set a goal for yourself. Maybe you want to finish during a long vacation. Maybe you want to spread your training and the costs out over a few months, a year or longer. Either way, it is important to be honest with yourself. Investigate alternatives. You can work with an instructor privately, with clubs that offer training, or wit… Continue