Andrew Jones

Flight School Companion: The Pilot Mentality

Throughout flight training, students gradually learn how to think like a pilot. They learn this skill from the tasks set before them, and from the instructor's example. Unfortunately, the "pilot mentality" is rarely covered during training...

FAA Ruling Helps Prevent Airplane Fuel Tank Explosions

The FAA's requirements are a landmark decision, intended to prevent disasters like the aircraft fuel tank explosion of TWA Flight 800. Learn more about the history and technology related to this decision.

Alaska Airlines Pioneers: New Technology for Preventing Runway Accidents

Alaska Airlines is the first US airline to implement the Runway Awareness and Advisory System. The new system uses GPS technology to track an aircraft's ground movements for runway safety, and automatically issues warnings to pilots if they are entering...

Rutan and Branson Unveil Virgin Galactic Mothership - White Knight Two

Burt Rutan and Sir Richard Branson have moved one step closer to launching the world's first commercial space tourism service. On July 28, 2008, the press and customers got their first glimpse of White Knight Two, the plane that will carry the Virgin...

How to Get a Pilot License and Where to Go to Earn it

You may be wondering, how do I get my private pilot license? Depending upon where you live, there may be a variety of options available to you. This article will help you determine which choice is the best for your needs

Report Released on 777 Crash in London

The British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has released an interim report on the crash of a Boeing 777-200ER which occurred on January 17, 2008 at London's Heathrow International Airport. The conclusions are surprising.

Cross Country Flight

Cross country (XC) flight is a standard part of Private Pilot training. One must accurately fly long distance routes between multiple airports. This requires all of the skills needed to fly an airplane, including navigation, weather evaluation...

Using Desktop Flight Simulators to Help Students Train for Real-Life Flights

For many years now, flight instructors have argued about the merits and dangers of using PC-based flight simulators to supplement their students' flight training. Learning how to become a private pilot by benefiting from using a home simulator to...

Costs and Requirements to Become a Private Pilot

Are you thinking about when and how you can fly as a private pilot? The journey to becoming a private pilot is an exciting one, but it is also a major investment of time and money, and learning before you can take to the skies.

Student Pilot Tips For Dealing With Control Towers

Learning to speak with ATC is stressful and intimidating. It takes time to learn all the lingo and also to develop an ear for interpreting garbled radio chatter. Moreover, air traffic controllers are not always the most patient people in the world. It's...