Commercial Ground School
The commercial pilot rating builds on your private pilot knowledge. Your examiner will expect you to have a strong understanding of regulations regarding commercial operations, how your aircraft operates, what documents and inspections are required, and much more.
The articles in this section are designed to help guide you though the Commercial ACS and clear up common misconceptions of commercial regulations.
Choose a topic and get started.
Aircraft Engines
A smooth running engine keeps you in the sky. Here you will learn the basics of how they work and what keeps them running smoothly.
Airspeed Indicator
Airplanes need to move through the air to produce lift, we call that airspeed. Covered here is how it works, different types of airspeed, indicator markings, and errors.
Airworthiness Requirements
Learn what documents and inspections are required for an aircraft to be considered airworthy.
Part 1 of 2
Airworthiness Requirements Part 2
Preventative Maintenance, Equipment Requirements for VFR flying, kinds of operations list, flying with inoperative equipment, and placards are all covered here.
Part 2 of 2
Altimeter
Learn how the altimeter works, the different types of altitudes, inherent errors associated with the altimeter, and how to calculate pressure and density altitude.
Attitude Indicator
The attitude indicator is the only instrument that provides you with real-time pitch and bank information. Learn how it does that in this section.
Class G Airspace
Class G (Gulf) airspace is the only form of “uncontrolled” airspace. Although it isn’t charted, cl… To continue enjoying The CAVU Pilot, sign up. Username
Emergency Descent
Pilot training is all about preparing for the worst and hoping it never happens. An emergency descent is a maneuver that allows you to quickly lose altitude while still maintaining control when things do go wrong. Learn when and how to do them in this section.
Flight Controls
How do you control the aircraft in the air? Learn how the flight controls operate to precisely maneuver the aircraft.
Fuel System
Learn about the different fuel grades approved for aviation use and your aircraft’s fuel system.
Gyroscopic Principles
Gyroscopes are used in many instruments within cockpit. Review this section before you tackle each flight instrument to better understand their operating principles.
Heading Indicator (Directional Gyro)
The heading indicator provides you with heading information. Learn how it works and the errors associated with this simple instrument.
How to Read a METAR
A METAR is the first thing you read when checking the weather. They can be intimidating at first, but this section will help you decode them.
Hypoxia and Hyperventilation
Hypoxia can be deadly. Learn about they different types of hypoxia and its symptoms, so you do not fall victim to this silent killer.
IMSAFE Checklist
Prior to heading out to the airport, review this personal preflight checklist to ensure you are fit to fly.
Medical Certificates
You already chose which medical certificate you wanted when you started your private pilot training. This section will cover each class in depth.
Minimum Equipment List
Large Flight schools and companies often us MEL’s to determine the airworthiness of an aircraft. A MEL can supersede the other regulations which determine what equipment is required to be working on an aircraft.
National Airspace System
A brief overview of the airspace that makes up the National Airspace System
Optical Illusions
Different ways your eyes can play tricks on you while you are in the cockpit.
Propellers
The propeller pulls your aircraft through the sky. Let’s learn about the different design features and how they operate.
Slow Flight
It’s true, the whole idea of flying is to get places quicker, but at some point, you’ll need to slow down and land. That is where slow flight comes into play. The approach and landing phase is all conducted in slow flight, so it is crucial that you understand how the plane will operate in that regime.
Spatial Disorientation
Aircraft fly in three dimensions and are always changing their orientation. Learn what affects your perception of orientation and how your body interprets that information.
Spin Awareness
Although they are not required on the checkride, spins are a leading cause of general aviation accidents so knowing how to avoid them should be explained. Here is everything you need to know about spins as a private pilot!
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms come in all shapes and sizes. Learn how they form, the phases, and the different types in this section.
Turn Coordinator
Learn the difference between the turn and slip indicator and the turn coordinator, how they work, and why they are important for flight.
Vacuum System
The vacuum system creates the suction needed to power any gyroscopically operated instrument. Learn about the components and their operation in this section.
Vertical Speed Indicator
Learn how the Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) provides trend and rate information to the pilot.
Weather Briefings
Prior to each flight, you are required to obtain a weather briefing. Here are some ways you can do that.
Weather Systems
Air masses can stretch across the U.S. and play a major role in the weather. Learn about the different types of systems and how they will affect your next day of flying.
