There are now less than 20 days until Christmas. Unless you celebrate another holiday, you have less than 3 weeks to get the perfect gift under your tree or cactus. If you're still shopping and you've got pilots on your list, I'm going to help you out. I'd like to present my 2010 Pilot Gift... Read more »

The check-ride is an important milestone in aviation. I remember my private pilot check-ride pretty vividly. I also remember some of the things that really helped me pass. After a good amount of thinking, I realized that every tip I have to offer can be boiled down to five things: know yourself, know your aircraft, know where to find the answers, know the area, and know your examiner. These five things will absolutely help your check-ride.... Read more »

I said I'd see him in about an hour, and I set out to find doughnuts since the coffee is already good and free at the FBO. I showed up about 20 minutes early and walked in to meet the examiner. Despite my early arrival, he had beat me. We exchanged pleasantries and he led me to the room he uses for oral exams. We made small talk while I got my stuff out. Then, once I seemed ready, he asked "Do you believe in checklists?" This made me incredibly nervous. My response slipped out, "absolutely." An affirmative answer is the only answer worth giving. He produced the examiner checklist for the entire event and started working his way down it.... Read more »