An Air Force Student’s First Ride in the T-38A Talon

The twin-engine, two-seat, tandem-cockpit, swept-wing, supersonic T-38 Talon has served as the United States Air Force's advanced jet trainer since its introduction in 1961. Over the decades, the aircraft has undergone multiple life-extension programs to keep it flying and its instruments and performance relevant.

New Captain, Dark Runway

It was almost midnight and raining heavily. My first officer and I followed the checklist and thought we had it completed. We were in ground contact and could see some lights on the ground, but NO RUNWAY IN SIGHT as we approached minimums. We were about to initiate a missed approach!
ultralight

Friday Photo: Sunset Flight

Enjoying the annual Holbrook (NSW, Australia) Ultralight Club Easter Fly-In. Camping under-wing with great food cooked in the kitchen next to the hangar which houses Australia's Ultralight Museum. There was good wine, good company, and an excellent after-dinner speaker.

The Hard Yards

Even the Blue Angels make it look easy—but only because they’ve mastered the hard parts. Matt Johnson's routine IFR practice flight turns into a reminder that the real work happens in the moments that challenge you.

Are We Still Learning…?

From a child’s innocent question aboard an airliner to real-world lessons about checklist discipline, Dr. Parvez Dara reflects on the humility, patience, and continual learning required to fly safely.

Aviation Mentors: My Journey as a Pilot

A pilot reflects on the flight instructors and mentors who shaped his aviation journey—from a crusty former airline captain to tailwheel training in an Aeronca Champ—and the lessons that continue to guide him in the cockpit.

What Hal Shevers Taught Me About Aviation—and People

By now, many pilots likely have read the official announcement regarding the passing of Sporty’s founder Hal Shevers—a fitting summary of a remarkable aviation career that spanned more than six decades. But like many larger-than-life figures in aviation, Hal’s public accomplishments tell only part of the story.

Remembering Staff Sergeant Jacob McMillan

From childhood adventures in Cajun country to one unforgettable flight, this tribute reflects on friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring power of shared memories.

Friday Photo: Antique Aircraft

Air to air photo taken over La Jolla, California from a 1947 Luscombe 8A, flown by Stewart Macpherson of a 1946 Aeronca Champ (Wes Ramos) and a J-3 Piper Cub (Vicki Schwebach) participating in the San Diego Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association's La Jolla Christmas Parade.

No Downside to Declaring an Emergency

A routine Thanksgiving flight turns into a partial-panel emergency above a solid overcast, forcing one pilot to make a quick decision: handle it alone or ask for help. His choice—and the unexpected support from ATC—offers a powerful reminder about using every resource available in the cockpit.

The Da Nang Glider

,
A routine reconnaissance mission over Vietnam turns into a fight for survival when all four engines fail on an EC-121 Super Constellation—leaving one crew to attempt the unthinkable: fly it as a glider to Da Nang.

A Cold Ending to a Good Checkride

A routine check ride turns into an anything-but-routine workout in a Comanche 250—complete with edge-of-the-envelope flying, memorable call signs, and a closing remark the author never forgot.

Across the North Atlantic in a C-47

A young Air Force pilot recounts a memorable C-47 ferry flight from Europe to Miami, featuring a dramatic Greenland approach, an improvised in-flight repair, and a crew dynamic that added its own challenges along the way.

I Need a Donut

I strive to keep my inner Homer Simpson quiet, but sometimes he takes over in the cockpit. From tailwinds at KVBT to snow-filled wheel pants in Evansville, here are a few of my “D’oh!” moments—and what they taught me about staying sharp as a pilot.
aeroshell

Friday Photo: Night Moves Over Oshkosh

It was my first time back to AirVenture since the late 90s. My wife and I were thoroughly enjoying being in Oshkosh and seeing all of the aircraft, displays, and people.  We had seen 3 of the daily air shows, and we were enjoying our first ever night airshow.

Release the Brakes: What My Flight Instructor Taught Me About Life

A flight instructor’s simple command—“release the brakes”—became a lifelong lesson in judgment, responsibility, and growth, both in the cockpit and beyond. Years later, those words still guide decisions when it matters most.

Thirty Minutes

You can pack a lot into a 30–45 minute flight. I can do a full stall series, slow flight, and twenty or more aerobatic maneuvers. I’ll also have time to repeat a few maneuvers I wasn’t happy with. Sometimes I’ll add an extra maneuver or two just for fun. Snap roll or tail slide, anyone? The point is that a lot of practice and work toward precision can take place in a relatively short amount of Hobbs time.

My Experience with Hypoxia

A routine high-altitude flight in a T-33 turns into a subtle but dangerous encounter with hypoxia. In this firsthand account, Gennaro Avolio shares how quickly judgment can slip away—and why recognizing the signs can make all the difference.

Is your flight school training you for the wrong job?

To be blunt, some schools are training the next generation of pilots to be excellent systems managers in a multi-crew environment, but are failing the pilots who want to use an airplane as a tool for personal travel. A Bonanza isn't a miniature Boeing; it's a cross-country time machine that requires a completely different set of skills, most of which aren’t found in the ACS or an accelerated syllabus.

Flying for Life

What starts as a quiet morning quickly turns into a mission with real consequences. In this firsthand account, a volunteer pilot answers the call to deliver lifesaving blood across Arizona—proving that general aviation can make a difference when every minute counts.