If you hear “wheels-up” in your dreams and have a passion for flying in your gut, now is the perfect time to consider a career in aviation, especially with a projected need for close to 790,000 pilots over the next 20 years. If that could be your goal, you might ask, “What’s the average cost to obtain a commercial pilot’s license?”

Vince Lombardi would tell you, “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

While he was talking about football, the same is true in the pursuit of any career, including one as a commercial pil... read more

If all you think about is flying and “wheels up” echoes through your dreams, flight school would be a great choice, whether you are interested in flying as a hobby or professionally. This is a good time, with the anticipated pilot shortage, to consider becoming a pilot, so the question is, what are the top-rated aviation courses in Chicagoland?

It’s easy to give you a list of the top-rated aviation courses (flight schools) in Chicagoland, but you need a way to evaluate them for yourself, according to your needs, desires, and budget. Let’s first go through what you should look at when evaluating the flight schools on the list.

Hobby or Career?

Do yo... read more

When you’re going on a trip, even a business trip, there’s a bit of excitement in the air. Your passengers are going somewhere different, maybe someplace new, and it’s certainly a break from the usual routine. They probably aren’t thinking about safety. As a pilot, though, it’s crucial. As a refresher, here are some pre-flight safety tips: 5 things to remember.

Check the Weather, NOTAMs, and TFRs

Checking the weather with an official briefing is a vital part of the pre-flight safety routine. You don’t want any surprises here. You can either call 1-800-WX-BRIEF or go to DUATS online to learn about the weather along your flight path and any potential for a... read more

Whether you are just graduating high school or looking for your next career, if you’ve dreamt of becoming a pilot, you might be wondering what makes a top-notch flight training program? There are a lot of places to choose from, and it’s important to know how to weed the good from the not-so-good. Even more, how to choose the perfect fit for you.

We know that learning to fly is exciting and rewarding, filling the need for adventure. Sure, piloting an airplane carries a lot of responsibility with it, but there’s no reason you can’t also have fun and love your job at the same time, and you will love it more when you find the training program that is a perfect fit for you. ... read more

This winter has been a bit intense, with record snowfalls in northern Wisconsin to everything from rain, ice, and snow in northern Illinois. Most people are ready to issue a hearty welcome to spring, with its milder temperatures and more moderate weather. That means it’s time to get your aircraft ready for spring flying.

Here are some items you should put on your checklist as you prep for wheels up.

Look Over the Maintenance Records

Now is a good time to go over your aircraft’s maintenance records to make sure you are familiar with what has been done and what you need to do. Is there anything you have put off? In particular, are there safety repairs that are required by the