Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing
The latest updates to help you prep for FAA exams and enjoy the world of aviation!
Pitot-Static Instruments: Air Pressure with a Purpose
When it comes to flying small aircraft, it’s easy to focus on the big, bold gauges in front of you—the attitude indicator, the heading bug, the shiny GPS screen. But quietly powering some of your most critical instruments is a humble system that uses nothing more than the air around you: the pito...
Nov 30, 2025
An Introduction to Flight Instruments: Your Six-Pack Survival Kit
When you first start learning to fly, your eyes naturally gravitate toward the view outside the cockpit. But as you gain experience—especially when venturing into clouds, at night, or under the hood during instrument training—you’ll develop a deep appreciation for a reliable, well-behaved set of ...
Nov 23, 2025
Turboprop Systems in Small Aircraft: Jet Power with a Propeller Twist
If you’ve ever dreamed of jet performance but still love the feel and simplicity of propeller-driven flight, say hello to the turboprop. It’s the sweet spot between piston engines and full-blown jet engines—bringing power, altitude, and speed to small aircraft without sacrificing the charm of a s...
Nov 16, 2025
Rotax Engines in Small Aircraft: Small but Mighty Powerplants
If you’ve been around general aviation long enough, you’re probably familiar with the rumble of a Lycoming or the growl of a Continental. But if you’ve stepped into a light sport aircraft, a glider tug, or a sleek little kitplane, chances are you’ve heard something a bit different—a smoother hum,...
Nov 09, 2025
Autopilot Systems in Small Aircraft: Your Helpful (But Not-so-Human) Copilot
When pilots first learn to fly, they quickly realize that keeping an aircraft pointed in the right direction, at the right altitude, in the right configuration, while managing radios and navigation, is no small feat. It’s like juggling—while balancing on a ladder—in a windy room. That’s where aut...
Nov 02, 2025
Aircraft Pressurization Systems: Bringing Cabin Comfort to Higher Altitudes
As a pilot flying small aircraft, you're probably used to keeping your altitude below 10,000 feet. Not because your wings can’t handle higher—but because your lungs can’t. That’s where pressurization systems come in. They make high-altitude flying not only possible but comfortable, keeping both y...
Oct 26, 2025
Turbocharging in Small Aircraft: Boosting Your Way to Higher Altitudes
In the world of small aircraft, a naturally aspirated engine can only take you so high before it starts running out of breath. As altitude increases, the air gets thinner, and your engine starts losing power—even if your throttle is firewalled. But don’t worry, there’s a way to give your engine a...
Oct 19, 2025
FADEC in Small Aircraft: Letting the Computer Do the Throttling
In the world of small aircraft, the humble engine has traditionally demanded a lot from the pilot—throttle this, mixture that, prop RPM over here. But as technology trickles down from the airline world, modern general aviation aircraft are getting a taste of digital sophistication. One of the mos...
Oct 12, 2025
Small Aircraft Propeller Systems: Twisting Through the Sky
When it comes to small aircraft, the propeller often plays the starring role in converting engine power into forward motion. While it might seem like nothing more than a big fan up front (and yes, it does keep the pilot cool—just watch what happens when it stops), the propeller system is a critic...
Oct 05, 2025
Understanding the Aircraft Vacuum System: Old School Air Power That Keeps You Upright
When you’re flying a small airplane, some of the most crucial instruments on your panel depend on an invisible force you don’t often think about: suction. No, we’re not talking about the kind that keeps your coffee lid on during a bumpy climb—this is the aircraft vacuum system, the unsung hero of...
Sep 28, 2025
A Current Affair: Understanding Aircraft Electrical Systems in Small Aircraft
Flip a switch, and the lights come on. Push a button, and the starter cranks. Tune the radio, check your fuel gauges, or lower the flaps—none of it happens without your aircraft’s electrical system. While small aircraft electrical setups may not rival the complexity of their commercial cousins, t...
Sep 21, 2025
Gauges, Needles, and Numbers: A Guide to Aircraft Engine Instrumentation
Flying a small aircraft is part science, part art—and part knowing what all those gauges on your panel are trying to tell you before anything starts smoking. Your airplane’s engine instruments are the direct line between you and the heart of your aircraft: the powerplant. They help you monitor ev...
Sep 14, 2025
Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing
