Time to get your Pilot Certificate! By the time you arrive here in the course I’m sure you are ready to go and get your Pilot Certificate! Over the next few topics we will give you some quick review and prep to help you with passing the written exam, as well as preparing for the… Continue reading Lesson 20: Test Prep
Lesson Category: Oral Prep
Lesson 17: Aeromedical Factors, ADM, FARS
Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills.
Lesson 15: VFR Charts and Navigation
Charting your path to success! There are many different charts or “maps” pilots use to find their way through the sky. You’ve already had a glimpse at what the sectional chart looks like, and some of its basic features. Over the next few TOPICS, we’ll take a closer look at it again, and some of… Continue reading Lesson 15: VFR Charts and Navigation
Lesson 8: Class A, B, and C Airspace: The Busier Side of the Sky
Class A, Class B, and Class C Airspace Class A, B and C airspace are all controlled airspace. Although it is designated as such because the sky is a little bit busier in those areas with air traffic, you shouldn’t be intimidated to fly and operate in this type of airspace. To give you an… Continue reading Lesson 8: Class A, B, and C Airspace: The Busier Side of the Sky
GFA, Graphic Forecast for Aviation
Graphic Forecast The GFA has replaced the FA for the lower 48 United States. Watch the video above on how to use the new tool and interpret the information from the Graphic Map. Below is a chart to decipher the symbols displayed on the map. Weather Symbols Symbol METAR Code Description Dust or sand FU… Continue reading GFA, Graphic Forecast for Aviation
FB – Winds Aloft
Check out the video above to learn how to decode a “FB” or winds aloft forecast. You’ll need to use this forecast to account for the different wind above the surface when you start flying longer distances (cross country planning) and at higher altitudes. This is also helpful to predict windshear and turbulence as calm… Continue reading FB – Winds Aloft
METARs and TAFs Advanced
Check out the video above and take notes on some of the more advanced codes and abbreviations used in METARs and TAFs. Below are all the codes you could ever hope to encounter. There is absolutley no need to ever memorize all of these. Just have a rough idea what they are, that they do… Continue reading METARs and TAFs Advanced
FAs
Area Forecasts cover the area between airports that TAFs do not cover. REMEMBER these facts about FAs: Issued every 8 hours, 3 times a day Now only covers the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii Old Textual FA has been replaced by the “GFA” or Graphical Forecast for Aviation For the lower 48 states,… Continue reading FAs
TAFs
Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts TAFs have similar coding to METARs. Some important facts to REMEMBER about TAFs: Cover an area with a 5nm radius from the center of the aerodrome (airport) Valid for 24 or 30 hours Issued 4 times daily (every 6 hours) Here is an example TAF in plain coded text and decoded text:… Continue reading TAFs
METARs
METARs (Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Report) are always coded the same way. The video above explains the layout and coding. Below are a few examples of METARs that have been decoded so you can see where the information is coming from. Leave your questions in the comments below! KTPA 221853Z 15009KT 10SM FEW043 BKN210… Continue reading METARs