What Flying Means to Me
As a younger man, I would often watch geese using their natural flying skills when landing on a pond, and I would think about flying. As an older man I learned how to fly, a task that was challenging. With the help of Sweet Aviation they made it possible for me to become a Private… Read more »
How My Business Took Flight
When I began my pilot training in 2008, I really had no idea how dramatically it would affect and complement my business life. In 2006, Ottenweller Co. opened a satellite facility in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The trip to Mount Airy by automobile was a nine-hour adventure of boring flatlands and white-knuckle winding toll roads… Read more »
Summertime Flying
Summertime is the time of year when everybody wants to go flying. It’s a great time to learn a new skill and enjoy the wonders of flying. Summer doesn’t come without its own challenges though. The threat of thunderstorms is always hanging around the edges of every summertime flight. Whether a little single-cell pop-up storm… Read more »
We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know
This is a popular saying in the engineering and science world that applies directly to general aviation. As we start out on that very first lesson, it is a whole new world. Things are happening fast, and that long-dreamt desire to become a pilot is actually happening. I know for me, a lot of my… Read more »
From Passenger to Copilot
Imagine flying along in the passenger seat of an aircraft, enjoying the beautiful blue sky. Suddenly, your pilot’s health takes a downward turn, to the point where he’s unable to safely fly the aircraft. Would you rather feel like a passenger or a copilot? Wouldn’t it be great to take the flight controls with some… Read more »
Flight Reviews – Are You Due?
Have you ever experienced that embarrassing, head-scratching moment when you realize you’ve been flying without a current flight review? It’s a good idea to include a quick check to ensure you are current and legal as a normal part of your preflight preparation. Although a private pilot certificate never expires, there are a few basic… Read more »
Passion for Proficiency
A common bond among aviators is their strong passion for flying. However, do pilots share a common passion for increasing their level of proficiency with every flight? Yes, I believe most pilots take their passion for flying very seriously. There have only been a few times that I’ve flown with a pilot who seemed to… Read more »
Frequent Flying Leads to Piloting Success
Success! Learning to fly brings pilots a wonderful and rewarding feeling. Successful flying requires many things, but most pilots and instructors believe that flying frequently is the key. However, “frequently” is a relative term. For some, flying frequently means at least twice per week. For others with busy schedules, twice per week may be nearly… Read more »
Planning for Safety: Flight Plans
What is the purpose of filing a flight plan? Increased safety! If you go flying and don’t show up at a scheduled time, someone with a lot of valuable information about your trip will start looking for you. Lockheed Martin FSS (Flight Service Station) is contracted by the FAA to process and monitor flight plans.… Read more »
Surprise, We’re the FAA!
Having a pilot’s certificate is a privilege that takes a lot of hard work to earn. There are big responsibilities that come along with your pilot certification. One of these responsibilities is flying within legal boundaries. Everything we do as pilots should be done in accordance with the FARs (Federal Aviation Regulations). You never know… Read more »