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Pilot training and testing are unlike the exams most people remember from school. The closest experience most people have is when they get their driver’s license. To get your driver’s license, you usually have to sit for a multiple-choice written exam and then get in the car with an examiner and drive around the neighborhood. […]

Besides worrying about how airplanes survive if they run out of fuel, which they don’t, you could also be wondering how passengers survive in planes with closed windows throughout a flight. Where do aircraft get air from? Airplanes bring in fresh air from outside the plane and recycle used air to ensure sufficient oxygen and […]

The technology found in the cockpits of small planes comes to us thanks to the trickle-down effect. Flashy new toys start in military cockpits, then transport category aircraft, and finally general aviation. By the time it hits GA flight decks, things have gotten miniaturized and much cheaper. Take, for example, the yaw damper. A yaw […]

One of the most misunderstood jobs in aviation is that of the DPE—the Designated Pilot Examiner. For many student pilots, the DPE that gives their checkride and (hopefully) hands them a license is the first contact they have with the “real” FAA. The problem with that is that DPEs do not actually work for the […]

Flight physicals can be a source of anxiety for many pilots. For example, should you list your anxiety about a flight physical as a medical condition? However, flight physicals can be straightforward, and any issues found don’t have to be the end of the story.  A flight physical is a generic term used to describe […]

The military includes a wide range of units with various titles and specializations, from the Navy SEALs to the Army Rangers. “Military operator” is one title that you may come across occasionally without knowing what it means. What is a military operator and what do they do? The term military operator typically refers to members […]

The word military tattoo may lead people to imagine a soldier with tattoos on their body, such as a tattoo honoring their branch of the military. Yet, a military tattoo has nothing to do with body ink. So, what is a military tattoo? A military tattoo is a musical display performed by the military. Military […]

Camp Lejeune is home to a massive Marine Corps Base spanning over 156,000 acres. The facility also covers 14 miles of beaches and houses over 137,000 residents. Due to the size of the facility, you may wonder if civilians can visit Camp Lejeune. Access to Camp Lejeune is only available to authorized individuals, including sponsored […]

Simunition is a brand of non-lethal training ammunition and the name of the related training system that includes weapon conversion kits and training courses. Simunition is the leading provider of training equipment for law enforcement and the military, but can civilians buy Simunition products? Simunition does not sell its products to the public. Simunition is […]

Each branch of the military has a law enforcement division referred to as the military police. They are responsible for enforcing laws on military bases. So, can the military arrest civilians? Military police do not typically have the authority to arrest civilians, even on military installations. Yet, a military police officer may detain a civilian […]