Patch's Flight Schools Guide

Making the most of your private pilots license.

Articles filed under the ‘General Aviation’ Category

Aviation Rules of Thumb

Categories: General Aviation

Flight schools are focused on teaching what you need to know to pass your check ride.  Once you cross that hurdle, the real learning begins.  As you begin to fly in a real world environment at airports you’ve never flown into, you’ll realize you have so much to still learn.
Checklists are vital during all stages [...]



Low Wing “Feels” Better to Me

Categories: General Aviation

I don’t know if there is any scientific backing for my “feeling”, but I do “feel” better when I’m flying ON the wings than under the wings. I know, it’s dumb, but I’ve felt this way for a while and I found out I’m not the only one who “feels” this way.
When you’re in [...]



Aircraft Rental Checkout Flight

Categories: General Aviation

I passed my check-ride in August of 2007 and then moved to Florida.  When I got here, I was starting a new job and didn’t have a lot of time on my hands.  I also spent most of my extra money on flying lessons, so I didn’t have a lot left over for fun.
Finally, after [...]



Flight Service Station Speed Dial Codes

Categories: Cross-Country, General Aviation

I just ran across a nice way of speeding up your connection to FSS. If you’ve tried to use the voice prompts, it can be very difficult if you’re standing outside your local flight schools hangar with props making tons of noise.

Call 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433)
Press “1″ to speak to a briefer.
Enter your two digit [...]



Aviation Enthusists Clothing

Categories: General Aviation

I just found this website from another student pilot blogger. He had a brilliant idea I wish I had thought of first. Check it out:

RogerWilcoWear.com
You can get a T-Shirt commemorating your first solo or the passing of your checkride.



Flying With Your Dog in a Private Plane

Categories: General Aviation

I love taking my dog with me in the car, but I’ve never thought about the plane. For some reason I think she would freak out and somehow end up stuck under the rudder pedals or something.
It turns out, a lot of private pilots will take their dogs on the plane with them. [...]