MARCH/APRIL 2025 Volume.37 * Number.2 aopa.org/ft A good pilot is always learning 34 45 IN DEPTH 34 40 Confidence Building Aerobatic flying makes unknown territory familiar. BY JIM MOORE The Time Is Now There has never been a better time to learn to fly. BY DAVE HIRSCHMAN PREFLIGHT 12 Ramp Appeal 13 How It Works 14 What Am I? 15 After the Checkride 16 ASI Tips 18 Accident Analysis Find Max! Flight Training's longtime co-pilot is hidden in our pages. Let us know if you find him. flighttraining@aopa.org FLIGHT TRAINING magazine (ISSN 1047-6415), March/April 2025 (VOL. 37, NO.2) is produced and distributed eight times per year (bimonthly except monthly, May to August) by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. AOPA membership dues are $89 per year. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts in the United States can receive a free AOPA Trial Membership by visiting aopa.org/trial. Periodicals postage paid at Frederick, Maryland, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AOPA Member Services, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4756. No material may be used or reprinted without written permission. Printed in USA. For change of address: Call 800-USA-AOPA or email flighttraining@aopa.org. 20 Weather 22 Flight Lesson 23 5 Questions 24 Roadtrip 25 Future Flight 26 Ask AOPA 28 You Can Fly 29 Membership 32 Technique ADVANCED PILOT 45 Day in the Life Commercial hot-air balloon pilot BY NIKI BRITTON 46 CFI to CFI You spin me round BY CATHERINE CAVAGNARO 48 Career Pilot Autopilot-blessing or curse? BY PETER A. BEDELL PERSPECTIVES 4 Coms Ode to IFR 6 Always Learning Green spaces BY SARAH DEENER 8 Unusual Attitude Do-over BY DAVE HIRSCHMAN 56 Final Exam Synchronized flight aopa.org/ft A good pilot is always learning March/April 2025 NO BAD ATTITUDES AEROBATICS TURN ANXIETY UPSIDE-DOWN P. 34 IN THIS ISSUE GOLDEN AGE THE BEST TIME TO FLY IS NOW P. 40 THRIFTY 150 CESSNA'S AFFORDABLE FLYER P. 12 ABOUT THE COVER Aerobatics can make you a safer pilot and improve your skills in the cockpit. Find out how in " Confidence Building, " on p. 34. Photo by Tyson Rininger FLIGHT TRAINING MARCH/APRIL 2025 1http://www.aopa.org/ft http://www.aopa.org/ft http://www.aopa.org/trial