I have a confession: I'm still trying to figure out NOTAMs.

I don't think I'm the only one. Depending on who you talk to (or which website you rely upon) there are sometimes 2 types, 3 types, 5 types or more.

During my flight training, I was taught that there were three types of NOTAMs: NOTAM(D), NOTAM(L) and FDC NOTAMs. So as a flight instructor, I was teaching these three types of NOTAMs (two types, now that NOTAM(L) isn't used anymore). I was doing some research recently and I came across the FAA website on types of NOTAMs. To my surprise, I learned that there are more NOTAM classifications than I was aware of. (And I never knew the difference between Class I and Class II NOTAMs. Do you?) Read More...

Ask anyone in aviation and they'll tell you that if you want to become a pilot, you don't want to mess with the law, especially when it comes to drinking and driving.

They are right, for the most part. While a DUI can be a disqualifying medical condition, you shouldn't panic- there's hope.

If you find yourself pulled over because you made the bad decision to drink and drive, you might wonder what will happen to your aviation medical and pilot certificates. The answer, unfortunately, isn't very cut-and-dry.

You might be tempted to not do anything. But failure to report a DUI to the FAA within 60 days can result in the suspension of your medical and pilot license. And if you fail to report it on your medical exam the next time you go in to renew it, you'll be in bigger trouble for falsifying records.

So can you fly after a DUI? Well, if it's a single DUI and you otherwise have a clean record, then not much happens. If you are a private pilot with a third class medical certificate, then you're probably safe. There will be some paperwork. (Maybe lots of paperwork.) Commercial pilots and airline pilots will have to answer to the companies they work for, and there might be more serious repercussions.

If you have a previous DUI and you're applying for your initial medical certificate, it's normal to be anxious about what to expect. Again, if it's your only one, you will probably still pass the exam.

If you have multiple DUIs or a DUI with other arrests, then the process gets more complicated.

The annual Women of Aviation Worldwide week took off on Monday with events all over the world.

Women of Aviation Worldwide Week was founded by Canadian woman and pilot Mirielle Goyer, who was disappointed in the lack of events honoring women pilots and their successes. She decided to launch the initiative "Fly it Forward" which would introduce women and young girls to flight to honor women aviators in the past.

Since the launch of Women of Aviation Worldwide week in 2011, thousands of young women and girls have been introduced to the world of aviation and flown in small aircraft.

Women in Aviation Worldwide Week involves a series of events held during one week in March to honor female aviators in the past and introduce women Read More...

One of the biggest questions I get when a student first inquires about flight training is "What do I need to get started?"

I've answered that question for you in a new article, What You Need to Get Started, so all of you student pilots out there can go get started.

I always recommend the particular items on the list because those are the things that I continuously referenced time and time again over the course of many pilot certificates and ratings. I also typed up a list of books that I found extremely useful. The books included on this list of books that beginner pilots need are still on my bookshelf, torn covers and pages missing.

If you're a student pilot or if you've recently completed a pilot certificate, tell me what book or pilot resource you found most useful during pilot training.