FLY8MA Blog

Here's a list of helpful aviation articles.  Whether you are a Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or CFI, these articles are made to help you learn and keep current on the regs.

cost of flight training

How to Save Money on Flight training

By Jon Kotwicki | February 9, 2024

How Much Does Flight Training Cost & How Long Does It Take? Just as one shoe doesn’t fit each foot, there isn’t one set path or fixed cost for flight training. There are innumerable variables

Part 61 commercial pilot ground school

Part 61 and Part 141 Flight School

By Jon Kotwicki | February 8, 2024

Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, what are the differences in cost, hours, training requirements, and which flight school is the right fit for you?   Flight Experience (Minimum Hours) Part 61 Part 141

gi bill veterans

A Veteran’s Guide to Soaring as a Pilot

By Jon Kotwicki | January 31, 2024

For veterans transitioning from the camaraderie of military service to the exhilarating world of civilian aviation, it is a journey filled with excitement and opportunity. As a veteran who has embarked on this path, my

three people inside a citation mustang.

The Top Five Single Pilot Jets

By Jon Kotwicki | January 16, 2024

The demand for single-pilot jets has seen a remarkable surge Driven by the need for efficiency, flexibility, and the freedom to soar through the skies with minimal crew requirements. Among the top contenders in this

1956 DC6 Airplane House

Top 10 Places to Visit in Alaska

By Jon Kotwicki | January 13, 2024

Of all the places to visit in Alaska, this is our list of the absolute top ten best places to visit in Alaska! 1. Wrangell Saint-Elias National Park: Details: Wrangell-St. Elias is a land of

727 airplane home at the FLY8MA Pilot Lodge

727 Airplane Home

By Jon Kotwicki | January 12, 2024

Purchasing a 727 In October of 2022, FLY8MA Flight Training purchased a 727-200 from the University of Alaska Anchorage to repurpose as an educational resource for flight and mechanic students, as well as use for

GUMP's checklist landing gear indicator

The GUMP’s Checklist Decoded

By Jon Kotwicki | January 12, 2024

Explore the skies with confidence as we delve into the ins and outs of the Gumps Checklist An indispensable tool for aviators committed to elevating flight safety. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the

piper super cub landing on skis in alaska

Mastering the Alaskan Skies: The PA-18 Super Cub’s Aerial Symphony of Versatility and Exploration

By Jon Kotwicki | January 11, 2024

The Iconic PA-18 Super Cub In the expansive realm of Alaskan aviation, where the wilderness demands aircraft with an indomitable spirit, one legend stands tall – the PA-18 Super Cub. This iconic plane, etched in

student pilot training

What is a Commercial Pilot License?

By Jon Kotwicki | July 18, 2023

Getting Your Commercial Pilot’s License What is a Commercial Pilot? A commercial pilot is a pilot who has completed the necessary requirements and training to fly and be paid for their flying.  You could be

student pilot training

How to Get a Private Pilot License

By Jon Kotwicki | July 18, 2023

 HOW TO GET A PILOT’S LICENSE? There is a lot of information out there when starting to research what it takes to earn your private pilot license. This can leave one feeling skeptical and questioning