THE PILOTS JOURNAL
 
 

Situational awareness is crucial for every pilot. Staying alert and understanding the environment around you can make all the difference...

This guide will walk you through the key aspects of becoming a pilot, including necessary training, certifications, and tips to succeed...

​Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) gives an update on the current weather at a specific airport. For student pilots or rusty pilots...

Choosing the right aviation headset is crucial for every pilot. The best headsets not only enhance communication but also provide comfort...

Flight training can be an exciting journey toward becoming a pilot, but many students find themselves quitting before reaching their dreams.

Camp under the wing and connect with nature like never before. Learn essential gear, safety tips, and ideal spots.

Flying can be an exciting experience, but safety should always come first. Are you sure you're fully prepared before taking off...

Have you ever set down and looked at a VFR sectional even a terminal area chart (TAC)? Of course you have. But, have you set down and really looked at a sectional chart? ​ If you look closely at a VFR chart you may notice some symbols that we don’t usually see every day. Keep in mind these symbols may not be shown on your local sectional chart, they may also show up on terminal area charts as well. ​ Let’s take a look at the ones found mostly in the Southwest area of the Unit

Are you a student pilot or a seasoned pilot, but don't get to fly as often? and you are having a hard time trying to pick good VFR checkpoints on a sectional chart for a cross- country flight, especially for the simulated cross country that the examiner will have you do on either your private or commercial pilot check ride? We have all been there, so we put together a few tips to help you out. What is a VFR checkpoint and a VFR waypoint? VFR checkpoints are geographical point

Let’s set a couple of rules before we go flying. 1. Get in and shut the Hell Up! 2. Sorry we don’t have inflight services. 3. Just kidding! Let’s be serious now, non-pilot passenger briefings are extremely important & you should provide more details, much like the airline safety briefing Flight Attendants give us. However, of course, passenger pilots do not require such a detailed briefing. Here is another useful acronym: Yes! Another acronym, you can follow. It is SAFETY,

October 5, 2022 Words by David Smith (CEO) This story happened a few years ago. PA-28 Piper Arrow It was the day before Thanksgiving, I was getting ready for a flight to Camarillo, California that morning from the Riverside airport (KRAL), in Riverside, CA. It was a very nice warm clear sunny day, like it normally is in Southern California. There was no wind; the temperature was at the time about 60 degrees and warming up. I completed the pre-flight like I always do every tim

Photo By: Shelby V. Icing is one of the most dangerous things in aviation, it causes an increase in drag and weight, while decreasing lift and thrust. General aviation aircraft are small, light aircraft which are not certified to fly in any icing conditions, and must exit conditions immediately. Pilots need to always refer to the Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilots Operating Handbook (AFM/POH) for more details. ​TYPES OF AIRCRAFT ICING There are two types of icing that affect aircr

Fog is another type of cloud that is on or near the surface. It can be difficult for pilots by causing icing or IFR conditions. Fog is formed when the air temperature near the ground is cooled to its dew point. The water vapor in the air condenses and becomes fog. ​ Five types of fog are classified by the way it is formed, they are: ​ Radiation fog Radiation fog, is formed when the ground cools due to terrestrial radiation, and the air temperature reaches the dew point. Usual

What is a PIREP? PIREPs, also know as pilot reports are one of the most forgotten basic weather observations around.

In the aviation world use and refer to time as Zulu time, which is actually Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the non-aviation world. GMT is located on the 0⁰ line that runs longitudinally through Greenwich, England. ​ Aviation Zulu time is also known as: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) ​ Everything in aviation operates off Zulu Time (Z), such as: Aviation weather Flight plans Example: when you file a flight plan with Flight Service Station (FSS) they w

November 16, 2021 Words by Red Horse Aviation Comfort is a must for every aviator, especially those of us that fly in General Aviation aircraft. We have been flying general aviation for many years now. As passionate aviators, we come to realize, if there is comfortable, relaxing clothing made for the outdoor enthusiast, then why not for aviators? Especially those of us that sweat their ass off, flying in the hot and humid areas from the east coast to the Gulf. Even the desert

October 21, 2021 Words by Red Horse Aviation This flight actually took place a couple of months ago. I had planned a day to fly out to the famous “Airport in the Sky.” Making a dream flight, along with checking a box off on a close family friend’s bucket list, come true! Doug at the controls Doug and his wife Grace have been a close family friends of ours for many years. Earlier this year, Doug had called me and wanted to get some information on flying, what to look for in a

September 28, 2021 Words by Grayson Barrow Let's take a minute and meet with Grayson Barrow. Grayson Barrows with Sarah Brazel of Thomet & Co. Salmon LLC My name is Grayson Barrows and I love my Explore Tee from Red Horse Aviation. I am a third generation fixed-wing and rotor-wing pilot with approximately 3,500 flight hours and have owned several airplanes and helicopters over the past 15-years. I grew up on an airport started by my Grandparents in 1947 (4N7) located in Green