Understanding the differences between the categories of aviation will give you a better chance of making the most informed decision of the type of aviation you want to be a part of and better selecting the path of aviation training you want to begin with.
A callout in aviation refers to a standardized verbal phrase used by pilots to announce or confirm specific operational or flight status information. These callouts are an integral part of cockpit resource management, designed to ensure that both the pilot flying and the pilot monitoring are aware of key stages in the flight profile.
In the aviation industry, pilots use specific jargon primarily for the sake of clarity and precision. This specialized language ensures that there’s no room for misunderstanding during crucial conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers. These ‘secret words’ are essentially technical terms and codes that help quick communication about complex flight-related matters.
While there’s no precise cut-off point, it’s generally understood that starting your pilot training in your late 30s to early 40s could be considered late, if you want to make a great return on investment of becoming a pilot.
This question often lingers in the minds of those who have longed to pursue pilot training, but were hindered by various reasons, primarily financial constraints during their youth.
Contrary to common perception, not every airline in every country requires applicants for pilot roles to hold citizenship. The prerequisites for foreign pilots to apply for pilot jobs can significantly vary based on the country and airline in question.
A flight computer is a versatile tool that enables pilots to perform various complex calculations required for navigation, fuel management, and wind correction. It is typically a circular slide rule device, although more modern versions are electronic, featuring a variety of functions and data important for flight planning and in-flight tasks.
The Airplane Flight Manual is a comprehensive document that provides an overview of the aircraft, its operation and performance. The Pilot Operating Handbook on the other hand, is more focused on providing detailed instructions for pilots to operate the aircraft during flight. AFM covers all aspects of operating the aircraft while POH equips pilots with task-specific information they need for flying.
A preflight inspection is a thorough and systematic check performed by pilots before every flight to ensure the aircraft is airworthy and ready for safe operation. It involves reviewing each part of the airplane— including the engine, fuel systems, control surfaces, landing gear, and cockpit instrumentation— for potential issues or malfunctions.
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) refer to a set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough for the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. On the other hand, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are the set of regulations that govern aircraft operations when the pilot is unable to navigate with visual reference to the ground.
Airspace refers to the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere. It is an invisible infrastructure that is crucial to manage because of the variety and volume of aircraft in the sky at any given time.