ForeFlight’s latest release features a Reported Turbulence Map—allowing pilots to see where aircraft are encountering turbulence using information sourced from the company’s Sentry ADS-B receivers. “No one enjoys flying through turbulence, whether you’re piloting a single-engine piston or riding in the back of a jet,” said Henrik Hansen, ForeFlight’s chief technology officer. ForeFlight says the additional feature within the mobile app displays the measured intensity of turbulence at multiple altitudes, making it easy for pilots to find the smoothest altitude along their flight path. For ..read more

Over the last 25 years, I have been asked to speak on various aviation weather topics at dozens of aviation events and gatherings. During these events, it’s quite common for a pilot to walk up and ask me about how I handled my most challenging flight as it relates to weather. Maybe they were expecting to hear something juicy; I don’t know. While I don’t want to disappoint them about a harrowing recount of one of my prior flights, my response is usually the same. I don’t have such a story since I am always diligent about minimizing my exposure to adverse weather when I am the pilot in command ..read more

Question: I am working on my instrument rating, and I have a question about filing to another airport. One of the CFIIs I fly with told me to file to the airport but not a particular fix because it’s really up to ATC to decide what the pilot should do. Another CFII told me to check the weather, see what the flow is, and file to an initial approach fix for an approach in use. Who is correct? Answer: I advocate checking the weather and seeing what approaches are being supported by the conditions, then select an approach and file to an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) for that approach. READ MORE: Ho ..read more

One of the most challenging parts of being a flight instructor is making the time for your own flying, such as when you need a flight review. It may seem odd that someone who flies for a living needs to demonstrate proficiency every two years, but those are the rules, with a few exceptions, such as completing a phase of the FAA Wings program or adding a new certificate or rating. Don’t just aim to satisfy the minimum requirements—make the time spent worth something. This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine If you’re not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today ..read more

Question: I am a private student learning about airspace, and I am about to start solo flights to other airports. There is so much information a pilot has to know, particularly about airspace and ramp closures and TFRs. Is there a best practice for checking them before a flight? What happens if I forget to do this? Answer: There are several ways to check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) as required by CFR 91.103. The first one is when you get a weather briefing from Leidos Flight Service system. To use this service you will need to create a free account , click on “Plan & Brief,” and fill ..read more

A pilot traveling to New Orleans might choose to avoid the business commercial airport to the west and instead fly into Lakefront Airport (KNEW) to be closer to downtown. Doing so, it might become useful to approach the airport via the VOR DME Runway 36L approach. For what looks like a pretty straightforward VOR approach at first glance, there is a lot going on here that might trip up a pilot—and using a solid IFR GPS navigator would help significantly. This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine If you’re not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the is ..read more

On a warm day in late spring, four professional helicopter pilots rented a Cirrus SR20 in North Las Vegas, Nevada, for a fishing trip to Bryce Canyon, Utah. Of the four, only one had an airplane rating. After taking off from North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT) and flying 60 miles, they landed at Mesquite, Nevada (67L), where they added 10 gallons of fuel. The pilot with the airplane rating, who had flown the first leg, now ceded the left front seat to one of his companions, evidently with the idea of giving him some flight instruction. He moved to the right seat, and they performed several touch-a ..read more

There is a lot written about transitioning from piston airplanes to jets, but not much about the reverse. For this pilot, the transition from a Cessna Citation CJ1, 2+, and 3 to a Beechcraft P-Baron was an eye-opener. Training is different. Jet training includes engine failure during takeoff, the so-called V1 cut. This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine If you’re not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the issue as soon as it is released in either Print or Digital formats. Subscribe Now Featured This is almost always accomplished in a simulato ..read more

Does it seem like there are more student pilots in the air these days? According to FAA data, there are. The agency issued 69,503 student pilot certificates in 2023, up 24 percent from 2022. A deeper dive of FAA’s civil airmen data shows the bulk of the certificates were issued in June (7,162) and August (7,813). READ MORE: The Cautionary Tale of the Destruction of Meigs Field The June starts are no surprise. Student pilot starts usually increase in the spring as the weather improves. People receive introductory flights as graduation presents, Mother or Father’s Day gifts, or they decide to ..read more

Question: I’m a student pilot about to start my solo cross-country flights. I keep hearing horror stories about private pilot applicants who find out during their check ride that their cross-country time doesn’t count because they measured wrong, or navigated by GPS only, or because they repositioned the aircraft to another airport to give them a 50 nm leg, and that is not allowed.  Is there a particular way the FAA wants the pilot to measure distances, navigate, and pick a route? READ MORE: New Airman Certification Standards for CFIs Is Released Answer: According to FAR 61.1(b)(ii), t ..read more