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How to Become a Commercial Pilot in 2025: The 16-Step Guide

Quick Navigation to Becoming a Commercial Pilot Introduction How Long Does It Take? Cost and Other Factors So, what are the 16 steps? How do you become a commercial pilot flying a Boeing 787 as a Captain for a major airline? This 16-step guide is for you. Perhaps you’ve thought about flying as a hobby, but becoming a commercial pilot is actually a great career choice. What exactly defines a commercial pilot? Simply put, a commercial pilot is someone who has been approved by the FAA to charge for pilot services. Check Your Pilot Training Eligibility! Types of Commercial Pilots Whether you become a captain for Emirates, a fighter pilot as a U.S. Air Force veteran, or a corporate jet … Read more

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

How High Do Planes Fly?

That depends! The height at which planes fly is influenced by numerous factors, including aircraft type, mission, and design considerations. While most commercial aircraft operate at an altitude of 30,000 to 42,000 feet, many planes soar much higher. Aircraft operate at different altitudes depending on their purpose, engine type, and safety requirements. Typically, commercial airplanes, private jets, military aircraft, and even gliders each have specific flight altitudes to optimize performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. Quick Navigation to Aircraft Altitude Basics of Altitude Factors of Altitude Conclusion Understanding Altitude: Feet, Meters, and Flight Levels Flight altitude is the vertical distance between an aircraft and the Earth’s surface. This distance is commonly measured in feet, meters, and flight levels. Most commercial airplanes … Read more

What are the 25 Fastest Aircraft in the World? Breaking Records Through Aviation History

Aviation has long been a race to the top – faster speeds, higher altitudes, and greater efficiency. From the earliest aeroplane to military fighter jets to experimental research planes and commercial jets, the fastest planes in the world showcase the marvels of engineering and design. Below, I dive into the 25 quickest planes ever built – or about to be built! I’ve detailed their achievements and ranked them by the year they were introduced. We start in 1947 and end in the future… 2029! Let’s check out the fastest planes in the world!

What’s the Biggest Plane in the World? It Depends on How You Define It!

Explore the 20 Biggest Airplanes Ever Built! Discover these inspiring giants of aviation, each bigger than the other and claiming the title of “biggest” plane in the world in some way. The list spans 80+ years, showcasing milestones in aviation history from 1947 to 2026. Click on any link to learn more about your favorite colossal aircraft! Quick Navigation to World’s Largest Aircraft: 1940s – 1970s: Pioneering the Skies 1980s – 1990s: Dominance in the Air 2000s – 2020s: Engineering Marvels More About Size 1. Hughes H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose: The Largest Seaplane Ever Built (1947) An Unmatched Feat of Engineering The Hughes H-4 Hercules, the largest wooden aircraft ever built and famously known as the “Spruce Goose,” remains the … Read more