Why people learn to fly

Human Performance

„My instructor says the only drink before take-off is water — my cocktail menu has become remarkably short ever since."

Currently reading: Alcohol and medication: what are the rules for pilots?

Principles of Flight

„When I surf, I watch my angle to the wave — when I fly, my angle to the air. I just get wet a lot less often doing one of them."

Currently reading: Angle of attack: the most important concept in aerodynamics

Communications

„By the third loop of the ATIS, I know the voice better than my flight instructor."

Currently reading: Listening to and understanding the ATIS

Operational Procedures

„I plan my alternate with the same seriousness other people pick their second-favourite pizzeria: just in case."

Currently reading: Alternates: planning your diversion aerodromes properly

Air Law

„Since learning the right-of-way rules, my argument with the seagull on the beach finally has a scientific basis — balloon beats engine, she won."

Currently reading: Right-of-way rules in the air: who gives way to whom?

Flight Performance & Planning

„When my instructor climbs into the back seat, does my centre of gravity shift — or just my nerves?"

Currently reading: The load sheet: a worked example with moment arms

Aircraft General Knowledge

„Why does a 50-cent fuse always blow exactly when there isn't a spare on board?"

Currently reading: Aircraft electrics: alternator, battery, fuses

Meteorology

„On a hot summer day my plane climbs so sluggishly that even my instructor briefly wondered whether we should get out and push."

Currently reading: Density altitude: why your aircraft climbs worse in summer

Navigation

„Why does a tailwind feel amazing — right until someone at the destination asks why I'm way too early again?"

Currently reading: IAS, TAS and groundspeed: the difference

Human Performance

„Why do my ears pop on the descent exactly when I'm trying to look especially cool?"

Currently reading: Equalising pressure: ears and sinuses in flight

Principles of Flight

„I once tried to explain lift to my coffee — now the whole table is staring at me, but at least the sugar is floating in my head."

Currently reading: How is lift generated? Aerodynamics made simple

Communications

„Since learning the ICAO alphabet I even spell out my pizza order — Papa-India-Zulu-Zulu-Alpha — and the delivery guy thinks I'm a secret agent."

Currently reading: The ICAO alphabet: mastering Alpha to Zulu

Operational Procedures

„The question I ask myself before every flight: do I actually know where the fire extinguisher is — or just where my coffee cup is?"

Currently reading: Fire on board: immediate actions in the cockpit

Air Law

„Since I started filing flight plans, I feel like my own emergency contact."

Currently reading: Filing a flight plan: when it's required and how it works

Flight Performance & Planning

„Hot and high sounds like a dream holiday — for my engine it's unfortunately the worst idea of the day."

Currently reading: Pressure altitude and performance: why hot and high is dangerous

Aircraft General Knowledge

„Why do I trust my life to three rubber wheels while taxiing, yet avoid every roller coaster?"

Currently reading: Landing gear and brakes: design and operation