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New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2019/04/07/where-should-you-go-when-you-are-lost/

Where should you go when you are lost?

This simple tip will keep you from getting more lost and help you to find out where you are.

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2019/03/22/is-navigating-in-x-plane-11-harder-with-ortho-textures/

Is Navigating in X-Plane 11 Harder with Ortho Textures?

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2019/03/14/is-the-vasi-glidepath-high-enough-for-a-safe-vfr-approach/

Is the VASI glidepath high enough for a safe VFR approach?

In this video, I demonstrate why the VASI is not appropriate for VFR flight to the runway and a steeper approach should be used when possible.

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/11/16/getting-supplies-into-and-out-of-the-jungle/

Getting Supplies Into and Out Of the Jungle

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/11/11/how-to-stay-over-the-runway-after-takeoff/

How to stay over the runway after takeoff

After takeoff, it is best to stay above the runway and not drift to one side. Many students have trouble with this and the skill builds with experience.  You can’t see the runway below you without looking straight down, and depending on the plane you may not be able to see it at all. But ...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/11/04/people-on-the-ramp/

People on the ramp

You’ve just started the engine and you are about to go through your pre-taxi checklist. Then you spot a child running towards your plane. What do you do?! … If you took more than about 3 seconds to decide, then you were too slow. Most airport ramps are empty of people but this ...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/10/28/abnormal-oil-pressure/

Abnormal Oil Pressure

I enjoy simulating emergencies for students. One of my favorites has to do with the oil pressure. As the student lines up the plane for takeoff I watch their eyes. When I’m sure they are looking out the window I say, “Woah … the oil pressure just spiked!” Most people look ...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/10/18/what-kind-of-computer-do-you-need-for-a-home-simulator/

What kind of computer do you need for a home simulator?

Whether you fly FSX, Prepar3D, or X-Plane, you will need a computer that can handle the graphics and still give a good frame rate. Frame-rate is the number of times the picture refreshes per second. A framerate of 20 to 30 is a good minimum to shoot for. If you can get a computer that will get...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/10/13/weight-and-balance-basics/

Weight and Balance Basics

M = W * A Moment = Weight * Arm First, let’s look at what these words mean. Moment (also known as torque) is the rotational force applied to a body. Think of your airplane like a seesaw. The fulcrum is the wing because, like the fulcrum of a seesaw, the wing is keeping you from touching...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/09/25/navigation-with-home-simulator/

Navigation With Your Home Simulator

I have been publishing Youtube videos that show how to navigate using your map and compass. There is a lot that goes into navigation and a lot to know about the map and how to find your way. When it comes down to the actual practice of navigation, the experience is king. The best way to learn is...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/09/20/vhf-omnidirectional-range/

VHF Omnidirectional Range

A VHF Omnidirectional Range is commonly called a VOR. In some ways, it is like a more-advanced NDB. To understand what the VOR does take a look at the chart below. Notice the large blue VOR ring, indicating that there is a VOR station at the center. We will dig into what that all means to you as...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/09/16/the-secret-to-perfect-ground-reference-maneuvers/

The Secret to Perfect Ground Reference Maneuvers

Ground reference maneuvers are an important part of private pilot training. I am about to tell you a trick that will make your ground reference maneuvers so much easier, but it comes with a disclaimer. When I teach ground reference maneuvers I don’t break out this trick until after the...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/09/12/your-flight-is-not-a-mission/

Your Flight is Not a Mission

It can be fun to think about your flight as a mission instead of a trip, but this is a dangerous way of thinking. When flying a trip: You can cancel without putting others in danger. You can afford a very high standard of safety and cancel if it isn’t met. You can turn back or change your...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/09/04/class-c-airspace/

Class C Airspace

Class C airspace surrounds airports that are very big, but not as big as airports in Class B airspace. It is shaped like an upside-down wedding cake but with fewer rings than class B airspace has. For example, Lehigh Valley International (pictured below) has an inner ring that extends from the...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/08/30/flying-between-towers/

Flying Between Towers

I was on a progress check flight early in my commercial training and the Chief Flight Instructor decided to play a trick on me. I learned an important lesson from this flight. We got the plane started at Chandler (KCHD) and he asked me to fly him to Gateway (KIWA). I noticed the 2 class D...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/08/24/how-i-conduct-a-flight-review/

How I conduct a flight review

I begin each flight review by asking the pilot what kind of flying he normally does. This often happens ahead of time, on the phone, when we are scheduling the review. I also want to know what licenses he carries, and I let him know that I want him to plan a cross country. I usually tell him...

New Post has been published on https://schaeferflight.com/index.php/2018/08/04/rectangular-course/

Rectangular Course

The rectangular course is a fundamental ground reference maneuver required for the private pilot license. However, it is so fundamental and so critical to landing that it is often ignored as a ground reference maneuver. Instead, it is frequently considered only within the context of the traffic...