Articles by John Smith on ArticleSnatch.com

What to Look for in Flight Schools

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:08:16 -0400

When you finally decide you want to learn to fly it is time to look at flight schools. Since you have never been involved in anything quite like this before, we thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips on what to look for in a flight school. This is one area of your life that choosing the cheapest rate may be a big mistake! The phrase, "You get what you pay for", has never been so true as when it comes to flight schools. Choose your school carefully and let the school speak for itself. Gather some literature on the local flight schools in your area and look over each schools pamphlet. Don't base your decision on their literature alone though. You will want to visit several that look the best to you before making your decision. Visit the schools you have selected as possible candidates and take notes. It may help you to take notes from the pamphlets you have collected so you can ask questions while you are there. Here are a few things to look for and ask about: 1. **End Summary** Topics: flight school]]> private pilot]]> flight training]]> ground school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith studying to earn his private pilot's certificate. Follow along with his studies and prepare for your private pilot checkride .

What to Expect During Flight School

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:06:05 -0400

Flight training is a balance of both ground training or classroom training and flight training. But if you are confused as to why you need classroom training, maybe we can help you understand a little better. Classroom instruction takes the path of aerodynamics, airplane systems, airports, airspace, airplane performance and aircraft weight and balance. You will not only learn everything about an airplane, you will also learn what affects weather has on the operation of an airplane, what to do in case of emergencies and how to navigate small aircraft. All of this follows the FAA rules and regulations for student pilots. You will have to have some simple algebra skills in order to train to be a pilot. These help you make estimates on your climbs and descents during a flight. Why do you need these when there are instruments aboard that will do it for you? If your plane suffers instrument failure, you can still estimate your climbs and descents without your instruments. In addition to this, you never know when an emergency may arise and you have to think quickly. Flight training will begin with you becoming comfortable with the plane. **End Summary** Topics: flight school]]> private pilot]]> flight training]]> ground school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is a student pilot. John also just started a new community for student pilots and CFIs. Join John and others in the brand new Pilot Forums .

What to Expect During Ground Training

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:05:57 -0400

Have you ever wondered what the schooling is like for someone getting their pilot's certificate? We will examine some of the things you will learn in your ground training portion of your flight school. Hopefully it will answer some of the questions burning in your mind. Depending on the flight school you attend, you will be offered a structured ground school program in a classroom setting. In these classes you will be fed a lot of information on almost everything you ever wanted to know about flying but were afraid to ask. Not really, but you will learn more than the average Joe who has never even seen the inside of a cockpit. Your classroom courses should give you access to the necessary materials you will need including books, manuals, airport directories and flight tools. You can expect to learn mainly just the basics of aeronautics like lift, weight, thrust and drag. You will be schooled on how the specific aircraft you will be flying works and how to control it during flight. They should offer you some schooling on weather as far as dew points, pressure, altitude and other information necessary to fly an aircraft. **End Summary** Topics: private pilot]]> pilot training]]> pilot school]]> ground school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is a student pilot. John also just started a new community for student pilots and CFIs. Join John and others in the brand new Pilot Forums .

Paying for Flight School

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:05:23 -0400

Getting your pilot's license requires you to take instruction from an accredited school. There are a number of flight schools that freckle the country so the choice is up to you. Before you jump right in and sign up for classes though, you should do your homework and research the area you are considering. There are different levels of pilot's certificates. A student is the first step, then private, your instrument rating and then commercial pilot's license. Each level requires training in both ground and flight. Paying for flight school is a little more difficult. There are some loan programs available but they are usually at a much higher interest rate than your conventional student loans. One particular institution to consider using for financial help is the SLM Financial Corporation which is a Sallie Mae company. There are no known scholarship programs that are available to help you get your private pilot's license so private funding is necessary. If you are lucky you may be able to find a school that will allow you to pay-per-lesson. These are hard to find but they are out there. **End Summary** Topics: flight school]]> private pilot]]> flight training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is a student pilot. John also just started a new community for student pilots and CFIs. Join John and others in the brand new Pilot Forums .

How Do You Become a Student Pilot?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:48:34 -0400

Before becoming a student pilot you should know what a student pilot is. We will discuss exactly what a student pilot is and what some of the requirements is to become one. A student pilot is someone who is learning to fly under the supervision of an FAA approved flight instructor and who is permitted to fly alone under limited and specific circumstances. You are issued a student pilot certificate at the time of your first medical examination by an approved aviation medical examiner. This certificate is not required for flight unless the student is flying solo and is valid until the last day of the month two years from the month it was issued. You must acquire a signature from your Certified Flight Instructor or CFI before you are allowed to fly solo in a specific type of aircraft. You cannot carry passengers or operate any aircraft outside the endorsements of the flight instructor. You do not need any prior knowledge or experience to be issued a student pilot's certificate other than the medical examination. There are requirements needed to obtain the signature of your flight instructor to fly solo: 1. Hold your medical certificate 2. **End Summary** Topics: private pilot]]> pilot training]]> pilot school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is a student pilot. John also just started a new community for student pilots and CFIs. Join John and others in the brand new Pilot Forums .

Choosing a Flight School

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:22:35 -0400

You have finally made your decision to learn to fly and wonder where you go from here. You should do a little research and find a school that you feel would teach you all you need and want to learn. In this case DO NOT look for the cheapest school you can find. The old adage about getting what you pay for is definitely true in this case. Learning to fly is a big expense so you should be absolutely positive this is what you want. Some schools will give you the basics and nothing more. You should ask yourself if you would really feel safe flying only knowing the basics of flying and nothing about preparation, troubleshooting, emergency procedures and how to read your instrument panel. One option to this is accelerated training. Accelerated training completely immerses the students in learning to fly and nothing else. They are literally taken out of their normal routine for the duration of the accelerated training course. This style of course allows you to concentrate specifically on the matter at hand for a short period of time so that you retain more information from your training. **End Summary** Topics: private pilot]]> pilot school]]> pilot training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is a student pilot. John also just started a new community for student pilots and CFIs. Join John and others in the brand new Pilot Forums .

Becoming an Airline Transport Pilot

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:30:37 -0400

Maybe you have dreamed about being an airline pilot since you were little and the time has come to make some life changing decisions. You want to look into a career of flying but you aren't quite sure where to start. We will examine what it takes to be a transport pilot and hopefully answer some of those nagging questions in the back of your mind. First of all, the Airline Transport Pilot or ATP certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificates you can acquire. This certificate allows you to act as the pilot-in-command or Captain of an aircraft that is in the air carrier service with a gross weight over twelve thousand five hundred pounds or more than nine passenger seats. Your first step is to obtain a commercial pilot's license. There are specific subjects that you must master before obtaining your ATP certificate. The theoretical subjects are as follows: 1. Air Law - Study air law according to FAA regulations and rules. 2. Aircraft General Knowledge - learn about the planes you will be piloting and understand how they operate. 3. Flight Planning and Monitoring - Learn how to plan your flights and monitor all systems. **End Summary** Topics: pilot]]> training]]> study]]> private pilot]]> airline pilot]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith studying to earn his private pilot's certificate. Follow along with his studies and prepare for your private pilot checkride .

Designing Your Own Raised Garden

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:36:34 -0400

Most people plant gardens directly in the soil. There are many advantages to designing raised gardens including the fact that if you live in flood prone areas you don't have to worry about your garden floating during heavy rains. You won't want to raise them too much because the soil can be very heavy and that could create more problems such as the entire garden collapsing. Follow some of these suggestions for making a raised garden. Provide Flooring for your Garden Before you begin you will need to decide how large your garden will be. Once that decision is made, you must furnish a floor for the garden. The perfect height is a cinder block or concrete blocks. These provide perfect drainage for your garden and the soil can be deposited directly on top of the blocks. Purchase enough to cover the floor size you want your garden to be. Level out the soil beneath the blocks so they sit level and are stable. Walls for the Garden On top of the blocks you are going to build four walls that rest just on the inside of the perimeter blocks. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> lawn]]> yard]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Toro Equipment .

Bring New Life to Your Lawn Through Renovation

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:53:53 -0400

Many people think of renovations being done solely to homes. Are you aware you can renovate your lawn as well? Most lawns will live long healthy lives when maintained properly but sometimes they will start to show traffic patterns, pet burns, alien grasses and pesky weeds that you simply can't get rid of. This is when it is time to renovate your lawn to bring new life to it. Aerating Your Lawn Lawns that are so compact that grass cannot grow needs to be aerated. Aerating is a method of loosening the soil so that moisture, fertilizers and nutrients can penetrate the dirt. Some lawns only need aerating in high traffic areas such as pathways and others need an extreme makeover. If high traffic areas are all that needs aerated, you can use a pitchfork to do so. It is best to moisten the soil first. Penetrate the soil at least two inches down. This is where the root systems are located. If a large area needs this process, you can rent an aerator from a local hardware store. This machine actually pulls tiny plugs of soil and grass out of the ground, loosening up the compaction. **End Summary** Topics: lawn]]> yard]]> grass]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Poulan Equipment .

Disease Prevention for Your Lawn

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:41:44 -0400

When your lawn is diseased, it can virtually spread this disease from your lawn to your neighbors if they are butted against one another. This can cause the entire neighborhood to end up losing the luscious lawns without know what exactly happened. There are a number of diseases to watch for and we will examine ways to prevent your lawn from becoming a victim. Red Thread Disease Red thread is caused by a fungus and is usually found in cool, humid weather. It is most commonly found on lawns with fescue and ryegrass blends growing. It causes your lawn to have a bleached appearance growing in irregular areas in size from several inches to several feet. You grass will develop a whitish or pinkish color to it. Your lawn may appear wet or greasy in green areas and then it will dry out and become tan in color. If you live in a wet climate, the grass will begin with a gelatin type pink fungus that forms bright red threadlike strands around the ends of the leaves and literally is spread from leaf to leaf. You can control this disease by collecting all grass clippings. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> lawn]]> yard]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Husqvarna Equipment .

Alcohol Regulations for Private Pilots

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:01:50 -0400

Just as there are rules and regulations about driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there are also rules and regulations regarding pilots flying while under the influence or within eight hours of consuming alcohol. Private pilots are issued a pilot's certificate by the FAA and must abide by FAA rules and regulations the same as professional pilots for any airline. Many private pilots are unclear about these regulations so we will examine these regulations in hopes of answering any questions you may have concerning these your responsibilities and FAA regulations. In the event you are suspected of being under the influence and test above the legal limit, which for pilots is between .02 and .04 depending on the level of your license, your airman's certificate will be revoked. If this happens you may not reapply for a new certificate for a period of one full year. Then you will be required to take and pass all tests required for each certificate and rating you may have held. Should you be drinking while not flying, you are required by FAA regulations to wait at least eight hours before flying. **End Summary** Topics: flight]]> training]]> private pilot]]> study]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith studying to earn his private pilot's certificate. Follow along with his studies and prepare for your private pilot checkride .

8 Steps to Getting Your Pilot's License

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:24:52 -0400

Getting your pilot's license isn't as easy as some may think. There is more to it than simply taking lessons and flying the plane. There are steps you have to take to ensure you are getting your license the right way. There are dozens and probably even hundreds of flight schools that will take your money and not teach you everything you need to know, but are you really sure you want to fly not knowing more than simply the basics? Here are eight steps that will help you along: 1. Before you actually begin looking for a flight school, take an introductory flight with a local flight school. This will let you know whether piloting a plane is really for you and whether you should waste your money on classes. 2. Talk to several pilots. Many of the pilots at small airports will talk to you and let you know what to expect. Question them on all the aspects of flying so you can better prepare yourself for your training. You wouldn't want any surprises now would you? 3. Choose the flight school that will give you the instruction you feel you need before flying solo. **End Summary** Topics: pilot]]> training]]> study]]> private pilot]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith studying to earn his private pilot's certificate. Follow along with his studies and prepare for your private pilot checkride .

Creating a Garden Bed with Proper Drainage

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:49:44 -0400

Many gardens begin to rot before they even begin producing vegetables. The reason is because they do not have enough drainage and the roots literally rot away. Following a few simple rules can help you avoid root rot in your garden this spring. Build Your Own Garden Bed Building your won garden bed is simple and not really expensive. You will need to determine the size of your garden. If it is going to be large, you may want to try another method for drainage. You will need enough two by six planks to build you bed. A 24 X 12 foot bed will require twelve, twelve foot planks to build. Build your box and place at least four three inches of gravel and one inch of sand on the bottom. Begin hauling in fill dirt and mix it with fertilizer before spreading. Before you begin planting test the soil, if it is not adequate, mix the proper materials to bring it up to the required levels. Plant your Garden on a Hill Planting your garden doesn't necessarily mean it must be planted on a flat surface. **End Summary** Topics: lawn]]> yard]]> garden]]> gardening]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Briggs & Stratton Equipment .

Bermuda Grass for your Home Lawn

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:38:53 -0400

Bermuda grass has become one of the most popular grasses in recent years. It grows well three seasons out of the year and forms one of the loveliest lawns that are also easy to care for. As you might have expected, it grows widely in the Bermuda Islands but originated in Africa. It is a perennial grass, like most grasses, that is capable of creating turf by spreading rhizomes and stolons. Typical Uses for Bermuda Grass This grass is a favorite with grounds keepers of sport fields because if its ease of caring for it. It is also used in city squares, parks and other city areas such as along roadsides and highways for the same reason. Many road construction companies use it to cover the soil after their construction work is complete because it is hardy and needs little water. Commercial use is very common for this species of grass. Advantages and Disadvantages of Bermuda Grass There are several advantages to planting Bermuda grass. They recover well from high traffic if exposed to full sun. It grows thick and lush in just a couple of seasons. It is resistant to drought and resists insect infestations. **End Summary** Topics: lawn]]> yard]]> grass]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Troy-Bilt Equipment .

Choosing a Lawn Mower for Your Lawn

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:21:14 -0400

Buying a new lawn mower can be a trying experience at best. There are so many things to take into consideration that most people simply purchase the first one they look at. If you follow some of these tips for choosing a lawn mower, it will help you make an informed decision and get the best product for your money. Check Out the Engine One of the most important things to consider when you choose a lawn mower is the engine. You want to choose an engine size that is appropriate for your needs. You will also need to make sure it will do the job you need it to do. If you buy a mower with an engine that is too small for the job, it will burn up before the mowing season is over. Determine the Size of your Lawn Most push mowers are fine for small lawns of half an acre or less. The smaller the lawn the smaller the lawn mower cut you will need. **End Summary** Topics: lawn]]> yard]]> grass]]> mower]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Earthwise Equipment .

Using Grass Plugs to Fix your Lawn

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:11:07 -0400

Grass plugs are literally small plugs of specific grass that are planted in the ground and spread fairly quick. This is one of the easiest ways to fix bare patches in your lawn without the worry of straw and wire mesh. It is fairly simple to plant and usually roots itself within seven to ten days. Here are some tips to using grass plugs to fix your lawn. Choosing your Grass Plugs You will want a grass plug that grows quickly and spreads easy. There are a number of different grasses that do this and you should choose one that is to your liking. If you order them from a mail catalog, make sure you uncrate them as soon as they arrive. If you have purchased them from a local lawn and garden supply store, take them home and lay the flats out in a single layer. Make sure you place them in an area away from wind and the elements. Water them well and keep them watered until you are ready to plant them. Allowing them to dry out will kill them before they are even planted. Prepare the Soil Make sure your soil is firm but not hard. **End Summary** Topics: lawn]]> lawn care]]> mower]]> yard]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Husqvarna Equipment .

How to Plant an Edging Garden

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:21:11 -0400

Planting an edging for your driveway or sidewalks is easy and can be very pretty. Most edgings are designed with short flowering plants so as not to obstruct the pathway. You can choose from plants that attract birds and butterflies or ground covers that spread fast and look beautiful Here are a few a few ideas to help you get started on your edging. Scented Flowers Scented flowers are excellent edging for walkways. As visitors brush against them, they release their scent into the air. This creates a fragrance for your walkway that visitors will not want to leave. They should also be at least twelve inches high but less than two feet tall. This leaves the blooms below the level women carry their purses and above the ankles where seeds can drop in cuffs of pants. Many of the scented flowers attract birds and butterflies. Humming birds are one of the favorite birds to attract and sweetly scented flowers are excellent attractors for them. Roses are not a good pathway flower unless they are planted away from the path area and have a short edging of their own. Annuals Annual plants are plants that must be replanted every spring. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> flowers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Toro Equipment .

How to Know When your Lawn or Garden Needs Fertilizer

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:20:46 -0400

Simply because plants and trees grown in the ground does not mean all soil is perfect for planting. Some plants need much more of one important component that the soil may not have. For instance if your soil is high in phosphorus, you will need a fertilizer that increases the nitrogen and potassium in order to decrease the phosphorus. Your local farm bureau agent can assist you on this aspect of fertilizing. What your Soil Needs All soil needs three common nutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Each of these nutrients are called upon for different types of growth. Nitrogen is for leaf and stem growth, phosphorus for fruits and root systems and potassium to help strengthen the plants. Fertilizers are sold as rated by each nutrient strength. A 20-20-20 blend of fertilizer means there is a mixture of 20% of each nutrient in the fertilizer. The remainder is food for the plants and grass. Once you find out what nutrients your lawn or garden needs, you can purchase the correct mixture of fertilizer to raise your levels. Have your Soil Tested It is important before doing any seeding or planting to have your soil tested. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> fertilizer]]> environment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Poulan Equipment .

Lawn Care Tips for a Lush Garden

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:10:14 -0400

Many people plant flower gardens only to have them die out or their growth stunted by weeds. In some cases the flowers are planted to close together for the roots to get the nutrients they need. Here are some tips on growing a lush flower garden to go with your lush lawn. Clean up any Winter Debris Although you may rake and pick up your leaves in the fall and think you have it all completed, there is always additional leaves that tend to sneak into your gardens during the winter. You will want to clean up any dead leaves so that sunlight and air can get to the soil. After the last freeze, remove any old mulch and any dead flower material from the previous season. Weed Control for your Garden Decide what shape your garden will be and create a barrier by using a shovel to create a trench along the outer edges of your flower bed. You can also place edging materials such as plastic edging or even concrete, decorative blocks around the outer edges as well. Make sure to remove any grass that has already began growing by digging up their root system. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> fertilizer]]> environment]]> plants]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Earthwise Equipment .

Planning a Hummingbird Garden

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:25:31 -0400

Everyone loves hummingbirds. Some enjoy them so much that they actually create gardens specifically for them and their long beaks. Lucky for everyone, there are lots of plants that attract hummingbirds that you can choose. There is such a variety that in the process of creating your hummingbird garden you will create landscaping that will have your neighbors talking and wishing they had one. Colors There is no color that is restricted from attracting hummingbirds. You can choose from annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding plants and hanging plants. Almost any color is popular like purple, white, orange, pink and blue. All of these colors are rich in nectar which is a favorite food of hummingbirds. A general rule is; anything that catches your eye in color will also attract hummingbirds. Also the flowers should smell as sweet as nectar so that they attract as many hummingbirds as possible. Varieties of Flowers The long blooming perennial, bee balm is an excellent choice because they are hardy. It is a member of the mint family and blooms in red or light purple. Another red plant is columbine. This is also a perennial and blooms early. **End Summary** Topics: garden]]> gardening]]> hummingbird]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Briggs and Stratton Equipment .

Keeping Pests Out of Your Garden

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:47:37 -0400

Your garden can be ruined by animals and pests invading the area. Pets like dogs and cats have a tendency of trying to help you fertilize the area but no one wants to eat lettuce that has been sprayed on by a dog or even cucumbers that had to fight the cat poop to grow. There are natural remedies you can use to rid your garden of these creatures as well as other vermin that may be lurking where you can't see them. Keep Dogs Out of your Garden You don't want to make your dog sick by using harsh chemicals in your garden nor do you want to contaminate the produce either. You can mix your own dog repellent by mixing moth crystals or dried, crushed lemon rind with equal parts of rue (Ruta graveolens) and chili powder. If this doesn't work mix two tbs. hot sauce, two tsp. cayenne pepper, one chopped onion, one crushed garlic clove, and one quart of boiling water. Steep this for three to five hours and then spray in the area around your garden. Your Garden is Not a Litter Box Cats tend to use gardens as their own personal litter box. **End Summary** Topics: gardening]]> garden]]> lawn care]]> fertilizer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Smith is an avid garden and lawn care enthusiast. John is also an avid blogger. You can read more of his articles at Troy Bilt Equipment .