January 2025

How real is the pilot shortage? After 50 years as a pilot, I can tell you it’s very real and not improving any time soon. Here’s why…

Did you know the aviation industry will need 120,000 new pilots in North America alone over the next 20 years? Yet, flight training schools can’t keep up with the demand. I have been in the aviation business for decades, as was my father and as is my son. Although we’ve seen an occasional blip, the pilot shortage has been a reality since commercial flight became available to the public. If the pilot shortage is on your radar, continue reading to learn more. Quick Navigation to Pilot Shortage Background Resolving the Shortage The Global Pilot Shortage: History, Causes, and Future Concerns The aviation industry continues to face significant challenges as the pilot shortage around the world remains a critical issue. It … Read more

Going up? What is the elevator in an aircraft, and how does it work?

An aircraft’s elevator is not the kind you find in a tall building. The elevator on a plane is a movable surface that directly influences pitch control and altitude management. In other words, it is critical in making the plane go up and down. Quick Navigation to Elevators The Basics Operations A Closer Inspection Functionality Pilot Mastery Purpose and Definition of an Elevator How does an elevator work? Like many other airplane parts, it functions interactively. Located on the horizontal stabilizer of the tail section, the elevator adjusts the nose’s angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The elevator ensures flight stability and maneuverability making it essential to airplanes. When I explain it to our aircraft mechanic students, I tell them … Read more