Welcome to the L2F (“Learn to Fly”) Newsletter. We’re here to help you in your journey of becoming a pilot!

As we kick off the new year (already half way through January!) we’re serving up some of the best apps and other resources for you, and giving you a quick intro to VFR vs. IFR. Don’t miss the March 1st deadline for the EAA scholarships linked below!

Let’s dive in!

The Best Apps and Resources for Student Pilots in 2024

Previously, we’ve discussed the best resources to purchase when you begin your journey to becoming a pilot. Now that you have a few more flights down, you’ll be planning longer trips and learning about more advanced topics. The internet has endless amounts of information, but there are a few essentials that will make your flying experience smooth and straightforward. Here are our best picks:

Garmin Pilot

Perhaps the most in-depth and rightfully popular resources is Garmin Pilot. If you’re only going to download one app on your iPad, this is the one. Previously, we overviewed some of the features of the app, but in all reality it would take quite a while to go over every feature. Here are some that you’ll find yourself using on every flight:

• Maps: To do your flight plan over interactive maps or charts with overlays including weather, terrain, obstacles and fuel prices.

• Flight plan: To create, edit and bookmark your flight plans.

• Airport info: Including frequencies, runways, procedures and more.

• Charts: Charts for your flight plans are stored in binders for easy access during flight.

• Weather (WX) imagery: Static weather maps including turbulence, convection, icing and more from the NOAA weather aviation center.

• Terrain: Terrain and obstacles are displayed in proximity to your aircraft in a 360-degree view

As a student pilot, try and familiarize yourself with Garmin (or any app for that matter) and practice using it. When you’re planning your flight, check the WX maps to find the smoothest route, learn how to get around your airport with the charts, and calculate your fuel requirements by finding your route’s length in the flight plan section.

Even if you’ve already tried another flight planning app, it’s always a good idea to try a few to see what works best for you!

Garmin Pilot has 2 plans. The standard plan is $110 per year and the premium plan is $210. Garmin Pilot™ App

MyE6B

Moving on, we have a digital flight calculator that makes calculating distance, speed, time, and more as easy as it gets. 

The E6B is a classic flight computer that every pilot should know how to use, and as a student you’ll need to be able to show your instructor and your examiner that you know your stuff!

In addition to simple calculations like speed, distance, and time, the E6B can deal with fuel, wind and altitude. While the E6B originated as a physical device, you can also use an app that simulates the E6B on your iPad. MyE6B is an ideal full-fledged tool that’s perfect for student pilots.

My E6B is $9 on the Apple App Store. E6B Aviation Calculator (mye6b.com)

Sporty’s E6B

While an app like MyE6B certainly gets the job done, there’s something special about using a physical gadget. If you're willing to spend the extra cash, a physical E6B like the one Sporty’s sells can be an invaluable tool.

The device has a rugged design, a backlit screen, and physical keys making it an ideal flight computer. Built in are the advanced features of a digital E6B along with tools dealing with rate-of-climb, weight and balance, wind correction, and cloud clover. Additionally, there’s a built-in tool for converting between metric and imperial units as well as a clock/timer.

Sporty’s E6B can be purchased online for $80.

Flightradar24

As a student pilot, it’s a good idea to learn the traffic pattern of your local airport and any destinations you have in mind. While paper charts are useful, there’s another tool that allows you to see air traffic real-time, all around the world. Flightradar24 tracks aircraft using data from ADS-B transponders, allowing you to find the speed, altitude, and route of almost any aircraft.

In addition to being a useful way for pilots to analyze an airport’s flight patterns, it’s also fun to figure out where an aircraft you see overhead is going and a great way to get into plane spotting.

Flightradar24 has 3 personal plans, a limited free version, a $3/month Silver Plan, and a $4/month Gold Plan. Flightradar24: Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map

AOPA

Last (but certainly not least) on our list of resources is AOPA. It stands for Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Rather than listing a single resource, we found it fitting to include the organization whose app and website feature some of the most valuable resources pilots can get their hands on.

Their all-in-one app features everything from articles to planning tools. But the Pilot Passport feature is particularly interesting for student pilots. It offers a wide variety of events and activities, offering inspiration for your next flight, and helps you keep track of where you’ve been. You can use the badge system to set goals and celebrate new achievements. You can also access AOPA’s flight training resources, such as quizzes, videos, podcasts, and more. AOPA is a valuable app for student pilots who want to stay connected with the aviation community and learn more about flying.

The AOPA app is free! Your Freedom to Fly - AOPA

Conclusion

Flying certainly isn’t easy. There are plenty of challenges when it comes to flight planning, and even more challenges once you get into the air. Thankfully, with the rise of digital tools, flying can be just a little bit easier. Knowing which resources to use and how to use them is just another step to becoming a proficient pilot.

What are the differences between visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR), and should I consider IFR training?

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) refer to two different ways to navigate the air. Your first flight (and many flights after that) is going to be under Visual Flight Rules. If you’ve already taken a discovery flight, your instructor probably scheduled it around the weather, because as the name suggests, you need good visibility. You’ll practice under Visual Flight Rules until you obtain your instrument rating, but it’s nonetheless important to understand why flying under Instrument Flight Rules is such a challenge.

If you’re going to fly under VFR, visibility in the area must be at least 3 miles during the day, and 5 at night. Considering how rapidly the weather can change, however, the higher the visibility, the better. Be sure to check the METAR reports and satellite data to make sure no storms are coming your way.

Flying under VFR, your eyes are going to be on your surroundings almost entirely. Most threats (such as other aircraft, birds, clouds, and terrain) won’t be hard to miss, because you can see them with your own eyes. Conditions for VFR flying are generally ideal for student pilots.

IFR, on the other hand, refers to flying using instruments nearly exclusively. Knowing where you are, and identifying potential threats without high visibility is a challenge, which is why an Instrument Rating is a requirement to fly in these conditions. To obtain an instrument rating, you’ll first need a Private Pilot License (PPL) and then will be able to take a written test.

For most new pilots, being able to fly under IFR is a long-term goal, but it’s important to learn how to read your instruments, and expect less-than-ideal weather now. When you’ve obtained your PPL, getting your Instrument Rating is a great next step, and a requirement if you want to be a pro pilot someday.

Even if you only plan on flying in fair weather, you may not be able to predict a coming storm, and the skills you need for IFR flying will help get you safely on the ground.

The L2F Newsletter is crafted by seasoned pilots and experienced instructors, all with one common goal: to empower your dream of soaring high.

We're not just sharing information; we're sharing wisdom, insights, and the kind of guidance you can only get from those who are already living the dream you aspire to.

Buckle up, because with L2F, you're never alone on your flight training adventure!

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