Mike Hodge, CFI

01/06/2024

These words, which I wrote down in rough form shortly after my CFI checkride still guide me to this day.

Flight Instructors are a lot of students' first exposure to the aviation community. I firmly believe that it's important that we are the voice of safety, mentorship, and one that encourages the upholding of the values that make the general aviation community special.

A huge thanks to National Association of Flight Instructors for again featuring an article of mine in the January/February 2024 "Mentor" magazine.

You can find a link to the article below:

12/23/2023

With the forecasted IFR/LIFR conditions through the next couple of days, I can only hope that Santa is not only IFR current but proficient as well. While I have no doubt that Santa has access to a Level-D simulator, and I make no claims to the technology or flight characteristics of the Sleigh as I'm not type-rated in it, I still can't help but wonder if he will be truly proficient with only making one flight a year. On the contrary, I'm sure the maintenance at the North Pole is top notch and with the world as your route, and the sleigh running on Christmas spirit, he will have no shortage of alternates should he need to divert.

I wish you the safest of flights Santa and the Merriest of Christmases

10/02/2023

This one hits hard. Richard was such an advocate for safety and his Air Safety Institute videos (as well as his podcast) made a valuable impact on so many pilots.

If it can happen to Richard, it can happen to any of us. It's important that we take this tragedy, like all others in aviation, and learn everything we can from it.

09/29/2023

Here's a little debrief of a gear issue I had last night during a training flight. Great lessons were learned and I hope you can find some value in it as well.

“Arrow 106PE, are you officially declaring an emergency at this time?” “Negative”, I responded. It was the first time I’d ever been asked that question and the closest I’ve been to ever having to respond in the affirmative. The flight itself started off as a rather routine IFR training f...

09/27/2023

My little kiddos were watching StoryBots on Netflix and they had an episode on how airplanes fly. Naturally, my curiosity was peaked and I was shocked how well they did at explaining the four forces of flight.

Trying to resist the urge to add it to my students required homework 🤣🤣

Listen to the StoryBots' song and learn which 3 things make it possible for planes to fly through the sky! SUBSCRIBE: h...

09/14/2023

A HUGE congratulations to Lauren S. on passing her Private Pilot checkride. She has put in an insane amount of work in preparation for this day and passed her checkride with flying colors. Way to go, Lauren!

09/12/2023

I always like to take my Private Pilot students into actual IMC just before their checkride. There are two reasons for this. First, to expose them to spatial disorientation which can be difficult to simulate, and second to give them a taste of what is to come should they decide to move forward in their training (and I always encourage the IR rating). Often this flight comes as a much needed break for the student from the countless hours of studying in preparation for their checkride. Knowing that, I try to strike a balance between emphasizing the seriousness of IMC flight while showcasing the fun and satisfaction one can get from the flight itself.

After all, there is something that always feels a bit magical about taking off, flying to your destination and popping out of the clouds at 500ft above ground level with the runway right smack in front of you.

That's the best part of aviation - seeking out those magical moments and sharing those with others.

07/10/2023

Check out this WW2-era training log.

06/20/2023

Join me in congratulating Brian M on his [final] first solo. After a multi year long hiatus he is back in the cockpit and is progressing quickly.

I also want to point out his textbook crosswind landing. On the centerline, upwind wheel touching first and ailerons into the wind. It was a beauty!

06/05/2023

05/15/2023

I was able to snap a few photos of Sheboygan today. Such a nice day for flying.

05/11/2023

I can now officially teach other CFI-initial applicants. So, who's first?