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The team at Laminar Research has long been working on improving the X-Plane platform and just recently the newest version debuted, X-Plane 12. Everything from wake turbulence produced by wide body aircraft to supersonic flight has been critiqued and fiddled with until it was ready for the community. But what good is a flight simulator if you don’t have great aircraft to fly? Enjoy a quick review of the aircraft changes from X-Plane 11 to X-Plane 12.

This durable tie-down kit includes two 10’ straps for the wings and a 6’ strap for the tail, designed to accommodate both high-wing and low-wing aircraft. Each strap features coated snap hooks on both ends for quick connections that will not damage your aircraft. With one simple pull of the strap through the cam buckle, the tie-down delivers a secure hold with a break strength of 1,100 pounds.

Jack Long’s urge to explore is stronger than most people: he has flown his Pilatus PC-12 around the world in both directions, over the north and south poles, and completed two dozen Atlantic crossings. But he insists he’s no daredevil, and in this episode he explains his detailed approach to pre-flight planning and his comprehensive standard operating procedures manual that keeps him safe. Jack is also passionate about conservation flying, and talks about a memorable flight when he transported gray wolves from Canada to Colorado. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jack shares the most unique airport he’s visited, his favorite survival gear, and how his business background helps him as a pilot.

Sporty’s has introduced its new line of Snug Seal Cowl Plugs, designed to protect aircraft engines from birds, critters, and debris while providing a secure, tangle-free fit.

Cowl plugs are an essential safeguard for parked airplanes, preventing foreign objects from entering the engine compartment. Birds and rodents can quickly turn an aircraft’s cowling into a nesting site, while leaves, twigs, and other debris pose risks of clogs, corrosion, and even fire hazards during startup.

Loss of control accidents are a problem, but longtime pilot and engineer Ed Wischmeyer says there simply isn’t a miracle cure. He explains why angle of attack indicators, stabilized approaches, and energy management are all overrated—and the concept he teaches pilots instead. As he says, “You want pilots to have a large comfort zone, so that when they’re flying in normal operations they’re not anywhere near the boundaries of their comfort zone.” In the Ready to Copy segment, Ed talks about the most absurd FAA regulation, how to prevent runway incursions, why slow flight is underrated, and flying the AirCam.

The purpose of this three part blog is to grade Microsoft Flight Simulator versus X-Plane on a wide range of features. Each program has its strengths as well as its weaknesses and it’s worth researching those before financially committing to a software trainer. Edition two covers your first five minutes in both programs, weight and balance, failures, and designing a flight plan.

As summer temperatures climb, density altitude becomes more than just a textbook concept—it becomes a real-world performance factor that can catch even experienced pilots off guard.

So what is density altitude, really?
In simple terms, density altitude is the altitude your airplane thinks it’s operating at, based on the current air density. As temperature, humidity, and elevation increase, air becomes less dense. This means your engine produces less power, your wings generate less lift, and your propeller becomes less efficient.

Modern avionics like glass cockpits and sophisticated autopilots demand a new approach to pilot training, what airline pilot and author Chris Lutat calls “automation airmanship.” He explains what that means, why the distinction between pilot flying and pilot monitoring matters even for single pilot operations, and why humans have an essential role—especially in the age of AI. Chris’s flying career began in the Coast Guard, so he also shares lessons learned there and how he’s giving back now as a mentor for cadets. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chris talks about the chances of single-pilot airline flights, what CRM really means, and his tips for handling sea sickness.