{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"SkyTrain Aviation","home_page_url":"https://skytrain.biz","description":"SkyTrain Aviation","author":{"name":"SkyTrain Aviation"},"items":[{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/faa-steep-spirals-do-not-have-to-be-done-at-best-glide-vg","html_content":"

In early 2025, we found ourselves embroiled in a debate about steep spirals. The discussion spanned multiple flight schools and multiple DPEs, so we wrote a letter to the FAA to request clarification. That letter is belo...

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/faa-steep-spirals-do-not-have-to-be-done-at-best-glide-vg","title":"FAA says: Steep spirals do NOT have to be done at best glide (Vg)","summary":"In early 2025, we found ourselves embroiled in a debate about steep spirals. The discussion spanned multiple flight schools and multiple DPEs, so we wrote a letter to the FAA to request clarification. That letter is belo...","date_modified":"2026-03-12T19:08:02Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/common-checkride-error-not-understanding-fatigue-vs-sleepy","html_content":"

If we had to pick one topic that too many checkride applicants get wrong — it doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about commercial ASEL checkrides or private pilot checkrides — it might be this one. And that topic is:

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/common-checkride-error-not-understanding-fatigue-vs-sleepy","title":"Common checkride error: Not understanding fatigue vs. sleepiness","summary":"If we had to pick one topic that too many checkride applicants get wrong — it doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about commercial ASEL checkrides or private pilot checkrides — it might be this one. And that topic is:","date_modified":"2026-03-01T18:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/these-untowered-radio-calls-should-send-you-straight-to-jail","html_content":"

At your local non-towered airport, communications rely on FAA guidelines and common sense, or maybe just manners. Without the big brother of towered operations, non-towered fields rely on pilots communicating to each oth...

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/these-untowered-radio-calls-should-send-you-straight-to-jail","title":"These CTAF radio calls should send you straight to jail","summary":"At your local non-towered airport, communications rely on FAA guidelines and common sense, or maybe just manners. Without the big brother of towered operations, non-towered fields rely on pilots communicating to each oth...","date_modified":"2026-01-29T21:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/most-common-errors-in-the-first-30-minutes-of-your-checkride","html_content":"

OK, so it’s checkride day. You followed every tip from Charles Lilly. (You’re in real pants, not sweatpants! Even a belt?!) You’ve read the checkride NOTAM and created your checkride binder. You even got some sleep the n...

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/most-common-errors-in-the-first-30-minutes-of-your-checkride","title":"Don’t make these checkride errors","summary":"OK, so it’s checkride day. You followed every tip from Charles Lilly. (You’re in real pants, not sweatpants! Even a belt?!) You’ve read the checkride NOTAM and created your checkride binder. You even got some sleep the n...","date_modified":"2026-01-18T04:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/for-most-the-falling-leaf-stall-is-a-demonstration-only","html_content":"

This special stall is often regarded as a secret CFI trick to help students with their rudders. But what is it really for?

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/for-most-the-falling-leaf-stall-is-a-demonstration-only","title":"For most, the falling-leaf stall is a demonstration only","summary":"This special stall is often regarded as a secret CFI trick to help students with their rudders. But what is it really for?","date_modified":"2025-09-01T22:15:16Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/how-to-make-a-checkride-binder","html_content":"

You've heard the joke that pilots have to be lawyers, meteorologists, mathematicians, doctors, plus a bunch of other stuff. (If you're a CFI, you also have to be a therapist, a parent, a matador ...) The lawyer side usua...

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/how-to-make-a-checkride-binder","title":"How to make a Checkride Binder","summary":"You've heard the joke that pilots have to be lawyers, meteorologists, mathematicians, doctors, plus a bunch of other stuff. (If you're a CFI, you also have to be a therapist, a parent, a matador ...) The lawyer side usua...","date_modified":"2025-05-28T16:16:21Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/how-to-make-a-checkride-one-sheet","html_content":"

If you've taken a checkride with us before, you're probably familiar with Charles Lilly's Checkride NOTAM, which includes some of the best checkride advice you'll ever receive. (You can also read his checkride secrets he...

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/how-to-make-a-checkride-one-sheet","title":"How to make a Personal Documents One-Sheet","summary":"If you've taken a checkride with us before, you're probably familiar with Charles Lilly's Checkride NOTAM, which includes some of the best checkride advice you'll ever receive. (You can also read his checkride secrets he...","date_modified":"2025-05-13T22:41:44Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/too-many-cfis-are-teaching-turns-around-a-point-wrong","html_content":"

If you’ve ever told a student pilot to keep their wingtip on their reference point during Turns Around a Point, you’ve been sleeping on a big part of the maneuver: the wind correction angle.

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/too-many-cfis-are-teaching-turns-around-a-point-wrong","title":"CFI tips: Too many of us are teaching Turns Around a Point wrong","summary":"If you’ve ever told a student pilot to keep their wingtip on their reference point during Turns Around a Point, you’ve been sleeping on a big part of the maneuver: the wind correction angle.","date_modified":"2025-05-08T13:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/tips-tricks-for-your-checkride-day-from-dpe-charles-lilly","html_content":"

You've put in all this work, and you've pinned down something that's worth its weight in gold: the checkride date.

","url":"https://skytrain.biz/documents/f/tips-tricks-for-your-checkride-day-from-dpe-charles-lilly","title":"Checkride secrets from DPE Charles Lilly","summary":"You've put in all this work, and you've pinned down something that's worth its weight in gold: the checkride date. ","date_modified":"2025-05-01T12:00:00Z"}]}