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Ask an Odyssey Pilot: Real Stories, Lessons Learned & Favorite Flights
Welcome to Ask an Odyssey Pilot, a new spotlight series from Odyssey Pilot Hours that gives the mic to the real pilots in our community. These are the folks logging the hours, learning the hard lessons, and falling in love with flight one landing at a time. In every edition, we’ll sit down with Odyssey
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Mastering Cross-Country Flight Planning on a Budget: Tips from Odyssey Pilots
There’s something uniquely satisfying about slipping the familiar bonds of your home airspace and stretching your wings across cities, states, or coastlines. Cross-country flights are where logbooks get filled and stories get made. But while the freedom of the open sky is priceless, the bill at the fuel pump—and the FBO—can bring you back to
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Staying Proficient: 10 Drills Every Time-Building Pilot Should Practice Weekly
Introduction: Proficiency Isn’t Just for Checkrides Let’s be honest! Logging time doesn’t automatically make you a better pilot. We’ve all seen it: folks rack up hours en route to the next rating, yet their skills stay flat or even slip. Why? Because flying the same cross-country VFR route 15 times without challenging yourself is like
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Electric Aircraft: What Currently Exists and the Potential Pros and Cons
By a seasoned pilot and aviation industry observer The aviation world is buzzing with a new kind of propulsion—not just a new engine, but a shift in philosophy. Electric aircraft, once relegated to futuristic concepts and hangar talk, are now actively flying, testing, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both general and commercial
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Light Sport Aircraft vs. General Aviation Aircraft: Which Should You Fly?
An In-Depth Guide for Student Pilots, Time-Builders, and Weekend Flyers Introduction For student pilots and aviation enthusiasts in the U.S., one of the most important decisions you’ll face early in your journey is whether to pursue your training and flying in a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) or a more traditional General Aviation (GA) aircraft. While
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Are ROTAX Engines the Future of General Aviation?
An in-depth comparison of ROTAX vs. Lycoming & Continental engines in today’s evolving aviation landscape. The Reign of Legacy Engines: Lycoming and Continental A Century of Dominance Lycoming and Continental engines have been the foundation of general aviation since the early 20th century, with Lycoming debuting in 1929 and Continental shortly after. These American-made engines,
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Logging Simulator Hours: The Shocking Truth Every Pilot Must Know
Logging Simulator Hours: More Than Meets the Eye For pilots, logging simulator hours is a critical part of flight training and certification. But beneath the surface lies a minefield of potential pitfalls. Whether you’re a rookie building flight time or an experienced pilot working toward the next certification, understanding the nuances of simulator hour logging
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8 Deadly Reasons Building Time in Old Planes Could Ruin Your Life & Career
8 Deadly Reasons Building Time in Old Planes Could Ruin Your Life & Career There’s something undeniably captivating about vintage planes. Their nostalgic charm, classic designs, and storied histories make them irresistible to many aspiring pilots. But behind the gleaming exteriors and romanticized aura lies a harsh reality—these planes may be putting your life and
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The Pilot Shortage Is Officially Over
Is Your Dream Aviation Career at Risk? The headlines are buzzing: the pilot shortage that once had airlines desperately searching for recruits seems to be a thing of the past. With skies clearing up and pilot seats stabilizing, the question on every aspiring pilot’s mind is, “What does this mean for me?” If you’ve been
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Mastering Flight Time Logging: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Accurate Flight Time Logging: Why It Matters Logging flight time is more than a technicality—it’s your pathway to career advancement and meeting certification requirements. However, new and seasoned pilots alike are susceptible to errors. Here, we’ll break down the top mistakes pilots make when logging flight time, and how to stay on track. Mistake #1:
