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  Why Aircraft Weight Affects Climb Performance

  If you've ever flown an airplane at max gross weight, you've definitely noticed a decrease in climb performance compared to when you're light. Here's why it happens.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/28/2020
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  6 Tools That Can Help You Avoid Turbulence

  Nobody likes turbulence. Here's how you can avoid it.

  • • List
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/28/2020
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  Your Guide To Flying Commercial Steep Turns

  Learning to fly perfect commercial steep turns? Follow these steps.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/26/2020
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  How To Fly a PRM Approach

  PRM approaches allow you to descend through the clouds just a few hundred feet away from other aircraft landing on parallel runways. Here's what you should know before flying your next, or first, PRM approach.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/21/2020

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  Don't Forget To Check These 6 Small Parts On Every Preflight

  It's easy to skip or miss these tiny parts during a preflight inspection. Here's why they're so important.

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/21/2020
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  What's The 'Maximum Acceptable Descent Rate' On An Instrument Approach?

  Have you ever seen your descent rate exceed 1,000 feet per minute on an instrument approach? Here's why you should take corrective action if it happens.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/14/2020
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  7 'Wake-Up Calls' Most New, Confident Pilots Experience

  New pilot certificate in hand, pilots are likely to experience one of these "wake-up calls" within a few months of flying.

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/14/2020
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  Fatigued Pilots Land On The Wrong Runway After A Visual Approach Clearance

  Visual approaches can be tough in the IFR world, especially when you're flying jets. Here's how one experienced, dual-ATP rated crew landed on a runway 6,000 feet shorter than the ATC-cleared runway.

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/07/2020
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  Avoid These 5 Mistakes When You Start Your Engine

  How you start your engine can determines how much wear, tear, and maintenance cost you'll face over time. Avoid making these mistakes.

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/07/2020

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  Preventive Maintenance: Here's What You Can Fix On Your Plane

  As a certificated pilot, you can fix over 31 maintenance items on your airplane. Here's what they are, and how the process works.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/05/2020
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  Your Engine Failed After Takeoff. Should You Return To The Runway?

  Pilots call it the "impossible turn" for a reason. Should you return to the airport, or land straight ahead? It depends...

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 03/03/2020
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  What Every Pilot Should Know About 'Defensive Positioning'

  During critical phases of flight, the last thing you should be doing in the cockpit is sitting with your arms crossed, looking out the side window. Even if you're not the PIC, here's what you should know about "defensive positioning".

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 02/27/2020
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  Why You Need To Decrease Aileron Correction During A Crosswind Takeoff Roll

  When you think of a perfect crosswind takeoff, you probably think about the moment of rotation. But there's a lot you should be doing during your entire takeoff roll. Here's what you need to know.

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 02/22/2020
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  8 Optical Illusions Every Pilot Should Understand

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  • Swayne Martin
  • 02/15/2020
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  Your Flaps Just Failed In Icing Conditions. Now What?

  You're flying an instrument approach to minimums through icing conditions and as you bring the flaps down, you get a "flap fail" warning message. What are you going to do?

  • • Article
  • Swayne Martin
  • 02/13/2020