Northstar Aviation References

New blog post by 737 pilot Jordan Bullock:
What is an FBO? Find out more about one of aviation's coolest perks!

What Is A Fixed Base Operator (FBO) In Aviation? By Jordan Bullock, CFI & Boeing 737 Pilot One of the best things about choosing Aviation as a career field is the diversity of flying that you can find yourself getting paid for. Obviously, the airlines get the majority of the popularity when it comes to the trajectory for a pilot's career. Howe...

By Leslie Caubble, CFI: "Airline and cargo pilots have incredible careers, get to travel the world, and can make a lucrative salary. However, the tradeoff of being away from home days at a time is too much for some pilots..." Read about the 8 best pilot jobs that offer family-friendly schedules on our new blog!

8 Best Pilot Jobs That Offer Family-Friendly Schedules By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI You’re walking through the airport terminal and see the airline pilots strolling by with a Starbucks in hand and rollaboards in tow. You might think to yourself, “Wow, that’s the life!” We have mental images of pilots making loads of money, traveling the world, hop...

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI

The pilot shortage has made headlines for several years, and the result has been a record number of young people going into flight training and other adults making a career change for the allure of becoming an airline pilot. There were a record-breaking number of pilots hired 2021-2023, and that’s when we really began to hear the term “pilot shortage” more across the news. Read More on our blog!

The Real Reasons Airlines are Facing a Pilot Shortage Right Now By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI The pilot shortage has made headlines for several years, and the result has been a record number of young people going into flight training and other adults making a career change for the allure of becoming an airline pilot. There were a record-breaking number of pilots hi...

Have you ever dreamt of becoming a pilot? Is 2025 the year you finally take to the skies at the controls? Find out how in this excellent blog post by CFI Leslie Caubble!

How to Become a Pilot in 2025 By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI What are you going to do with the 365 days you’ve been given in 2025? Many people start the new year with the goal of becoming a pilot. There are many reasons why: the fascination of flight, a career change, traveling for business or adventure, and the feeling of accompl...

Got your Private Checkride coming up? CFI Josh Page has some great tips in our latest blog post: 4 Common Private Pilot Oral Exam Questions.

4 Common Private Pilot Oral Exam Questions And How To Ace Them By Josh Page, CFI The private pilot practical test is the finish line to getting your private pilot certificate and being able to fly as a licensed pilot. The practical test is broken down into two parts: an oral portion, which covers the knowledge areas, and a flight portion where the student demon...

By CFI Leslie Caubble, "How Hard is the FAA Written Test? A Guide for Aspiring Pilots"

Flight training can be challenging enough, and the thought of having to pass a written test takes the intimidation factor to the next level. Every student pilot wants to not only pass the written test on the first try, but also have a decent score. Check out Leslie's tips for success by clicking on the link!

How Hard is the FAA Written Test? A Guide for Aspiring Pilots By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI Flight training can be challenging enough, and the thought of having to pass a written test takes the intimidation factor to the next level. Every student pilot wants to not only pass the written test on the first try, but also have a decent score. There are many resources...

All versions on sale now until Dec 31!

If you're new to aviation, you may have seen pilots with clipboards strapped to their legs. Check out this new blog post by CFI Leslie Caubble to learn all about them!

What is a Kneeboard for Pilots? An Essential Guide By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI A kneeboard is an essential tool for pilots of all experience levels. You will find student pilots, instructors, recreational pilots, and airline pilots use a kneeboard. The kneeboard is exactly what it sounds like: a clipboard or similar accessory that is attached to the....

Are you ready for the Commercial Checkride? Let's see if you can answer these 10 questions. New blog post by Leslie Caubble.

10 Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Questions and How to Answer Them By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI My checkrides have always had at least one element of surprise to them. On my Commercial checkride, this happened during the oral exam. Friends and fellow pilots who had gone before me and passed their commercial checkrides all commented that the commercial checkride was t...

How Long Does It Take to Become a Flight Instructor? Learn the time it takes in this new blog post by CFI Leslie Caubble, "The flight instructor has a huge responsibility of training the next generation of pilots, so becoming a CFI can be a daunting process. Someone who wants to teach others how to fly not only must demonstrate proficiency in flight, but also in ground subjects, regulations, endorsements, fundamentals of instruction, and even some human learning psychology.

The answer to the question, “How long does it take to become a flight instructor?” has a similar answer to many questions in aviation: It depends!"

How Long Does It Take to Become a Flight Instructor? By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI A Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) is someone who has been trained by an instructor to teach other people how to fly. The Flight Instructor checkride is generally one of the hardest checkrides to pass, so future CFIs ensure their training is thorough and complete befor...

New Blog by CFI Leslie Caubble, "Don’t let your checkride preparation sneak up on you! Advanced planning, studying, and organization will help you walk into your oral exam confident and ready to pass with flying colors. Here are some practical steps you can take to ace your private pilot oral exam."

Ace Your Private Pilot Oral Exam with This Guide By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI When you’re in the middle of flight training, the days and weeks seem to drag along as you’re practicing maneuvers, learning emergency procedures, and fine-tuning your landings. The checkride feels like an event in the distant future. The next thing you know, the instr...

New Blog from Jordan Bullock, CFI and 737 Pilot "Achieving either your private or your commercial rating is a huge step in your aviation career. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring airline pilot, knowing the difference and expectations between the two ratings is a must. While being a private pilot is the first step, becoming a commercial pilot is a nice level up and a way to really become an aviation expert."

Commercial VS Private Pilot: What Sets Them Apart? By Jordan Bullock, CFI & Boeing 737 Pilot Becoming a Private Pilot is the first step in an exhilarating career. Or, it's the biggest hurdle for pure hobbyists that just want to fly on the weekends and take their families on vacations. For the real aviation career seekers, achieving your commerci...