Become a Pilot What is the first step to becoming a pilot? Decide what you want to fly. FAA’s rules for getting a pilot’s license (certificate) differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly. You can choose among airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or... [Read More]

Professionalism and Flight Discipline in General Aviation By Everette Rochon, FAA Training and Certification Group Manager If you’re interested in aviation, it’s a safe bet that you have seen video of the carefully orchestrated operations on board an aircraft carrier flight deck. You’ve seen the... [Read More]

Checklists are the backbone of safety.  The simple answer to why we use checklists is that humans are both complex and forgetful and aircraft systems are complex.  Combine both and you’re definitely dealing with a situation for distraction.  In aviation, the simple, stupid stuff kills.  Distractions... [Read More]

Aerobatic pilots like Sean D. Tucker and Michael Goulian are among some of the world’s top aerobatic performers. They showcase their technical skill and stamina with amazing feats every year in the skies. There are five general categories of maneuvers: horizontal and vertical lines, rolls, hammerheads, loops, and spins. ... [Read More]

If Other Pilots Aren’t Flying, Should You Press Ahead? By Jason Blair, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) The aviation community is a small world. In this environment, we each have the opportunity for positive influence on fellow pilots if we choose to use it. We... [Read More]

Mentors Can Help Safely Build Competence and Confidence By Susan K. Parson, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine Editor Let’s say that the ink is still drying on your freshly issued certificate or rating. You’re proud of the accomplishment, but you don’t feel even close to confident... [Read More]

What is the first step to becoming a pilot? Decide what you want to fly. FAA’s rules for getting a pilot’s license (certificate) differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly. You can choose among airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or airships. If you... [Read More]

Professionalism and Flight Discipline in General Aviation By Everette Rochon, FAA Training and Certification Group Manager If you’re interested in aviation, it’s a safe bet that you have seen video of the carefully orchestrated operations on board an aircraft carrier flight deck. You’ve seen the... [Read More]