Flight Training

People who think flying airplanes is expensive havent tried flying helicopters, which is one reason not many people try rotor-wing flying. Building on its experience with fixed-wing motion-based simulators, Redbird is aiming to push reset on helo training with a new motion simulator called the VTO. The company was showing the machine at Sun n […]

There’s a reason you don’t see many helicopter simulators. Helicopter flight dynamics are difficult to model, and modeling a simulation that can hover is a challenge. But with it’s new VTO simulator, Redbird says it has done just that. At Sun ‘n Fun, where Redbird introduced the VTO, the company’s Roger Sharp gave AVweb a […]

Ive attended enough shows like Sun n Fun and AirVenture to have to have inoculated myself against reading too much into trends and events that occur over the course of a week. And were but one day into Sun n Fun, with another five to go. Nonetheless, as far as new developments are concerned, I […]

At Sun ‘n Fun, Redbird is showing its sim-based Flying Challenge. You can sign up for free and compete against thousands of other pilots in sim-based flight maneuvers. Redbird’s Jeff Van West explains how the challenge works. view on YouTube

Showing off its new and developing TRACE training technology, Redbird Flight Simulations announced at Sun n Fun this week a simulator-based skill test called the Flying Challenge Cup. The challenge, which consists of three flying skills scenarios, will run through the summer and will culminate in a national, live flyoff on a stage at AirVenture […]

On a recent flight north of Florida, a Pilatus checked in with Jacksonville Centre: Pilatus:“Jack Centre, Pilatus N1234. FL 250, smooth ride, outside air temp -24 degrees Celsius.” Jacksonville Centre:“Pilatus N1234, Jacksonville Centre. Roger. Recommend not rolling down your windows.” Pilatus (after a short pause):“Say again for N1234.” Centre:“It was an attempt at a joke.” […]

Ive long been frustrated with the misuse of the speeds known as Vx and Vy in pilot training. This article is an attempt to explain my reasons in a reasonably clear and entertaining manner. The opinions in this article are mine alone, and refer to the Bonanza. Most of the basic speeds are taken from […]

AOPA has launched an initiative to help pilots who have stepped away from flying return to the sky. “Get back in the left seat” is the motto of the Rusty Pilots initiative, a free nationwide program to reactivate lapsed pilots. The initiative draws on a notably successful local effort at Aviation Adventures flight school in […]

According to the poem, when you choose between two roads in the woods, you choose the road less taken. Sometimes its the wrong one. In my opinion, general aviation chose the wrong road when we started walking toward Light Sport Aircraft. A little over a decade ago, our industry and the aviation community got behind […]

At least weeks Aircraft Electronics Association show, famed aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker was the keynote speaker. The connection? Hes head of the EAAs Young Eagles program and a perfect choice for recruiting pilots. Hes enthusiastic, animated and knowledgeable. Im not sure AEA was the right audience for the pitch, but it was interesting to […]