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Aviation Journey


Blog 17: Common Flight Maneuvers Every Pilot Should Know
“Mastering each maneuver is like learning a new language — the more fluent you become, the more confident and graceful your flights.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School One of the most rewarding parts of flight training has been learning and practicing the core flight maneuvers that every pilot needs to master. From coordinated turns to stalls, each maneuver builds your control, confidence, and understanding of aerodynamics. Early in my training, these skills

Aalisha Sugur
Apr 122 min read


Blog 16: The First Solo Flight: Emotions and Preparation
“Taking control alone for the first time is both terrifying and liberating — it’s the moment your training becomes your own adventure.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School The day I flew solo for the first time remains etched in my memory as a powerful milestone—a mixture of nerves, excitement, and a deep sense of accomplishment. For every student pilot, the first solo flight is a rite of passage that marks the transition from learner to independent aviator. It

Aalisha Sugur
Apr 93 min read


Blog 15: Cross-Country Flight Planning for Beginners
“Every journey begins with a plan — in aviation, a solid cross-country flight plan is your roadmap to confident, safe exploration.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School The idea of flying beyond your local airport and embarking on a cross-country flight is one of the most exciting milestones for any student pilot. When I first started planning my cross-country flights, the sheer amount of preparation—from route plotting to weather checks—felt daunting. But as I

Aalisha Sugur
Apr 63 min read


Blog 14: VFR vs. IFR – Flying in Visual vs. Instrument Conditions
“Flying isn’t just about touching the sky—it’s about choosing how you see it. Whether by sight or by instruments, mastering both is the key to soaring safely.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School When I started training, I quickly learned that not all flying is done with clear skies and unlimited visibility. The aviation world divides flying conditions into two main types: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Understanding these two fund

Aalisha Sugur
Apr 34 min read


Blog 13: Understanding Aircraft Systems and Instruments
“An airplane is a complex symphony of systems — learning how each note plays together transforms a machine into a trusted flight partner.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School Flying an aircraft fascinates me because it’s not a single machine but a well-orchestrated system of interdependent components. When I started my training, the cockpit looked like a room full of mysterious dials, switches, and screens. It was overwhelming! But bit by bit, I learned that ea

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 304 min read


Blog 12: Pre-Flight Inspection: A Step-by-Step Guide
“Before every flight, the hands that touch the airplane start the journey — a thorough pre-flight is the pilot’s first act of safety and respect.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School Every flight I’ve taken began with one essential routine: the pre-flight inspection. It’s a ritual I hold with great respect now, but I remember when I started training, it felt overwhelming and a bit tedious. The checklist seemed long, and I wasn’t always confident about what exac

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 275 min read


Blog 11: Mastering Radio Communication: Basics for Student Pilots
Every flight begins with a conversation — learning to speak the language of the skies opens doors to safety, connection, and confidence.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School Hello, future aviators! Radio communication was one of those things I was nervous about when I first started training. The fast pace, the unfamiliar phrases, and the need to be clear and concise felt intimidating at first. But mastering radio chatter has truly been a game-changer in my flyi

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 222 min read


Blog 10 - Navigating Weather Reports and METARs for Pilots
“Reading a weather report is like listening to the sky’s heartbeat — once you understand the rhythm, you can navigate with confidence and clarity.” — Aalisha, Student Pilot | Princeton Flying School Hey fellow aviators! Today I want to share something that completely transformed my pre-flight planning—understanding weather reports, especially METARs. When I started flying, weather was this mysterious factor I mostly avoided thinking about. But soon, I realized that weather in

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 192 min read


Blog 9: How to Use Sectional Charts and Understand Airspace Classes
“Reading a sectional chart is like decoding the sky — once you master it, the map becomes your flight path.”— Aalisha, Student Pilot |...

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 123 min read


Blog 8: Flight Planning Basics – Weather, Charts, and Checkpoints
“A safe flight starts long before the wheels leave the ground — it begins with thoughtful, thorough planning.”— Aalisha, Student Pilot |...

Aalisha Sugur
Mar 12 min read


Blog 7: VFR vs. IFR – Flying in Visual vs. Instrument Conditions
“Understanding the difference between VFR and IFR isn’t just about weather — it’s about how you think, how you prepare, and how you...

Aalisha Sugur
Feb 193 min read


Blog 6: My First Takeoff and Landing – A Student Pilot’s Perspective
“There’s a moment during your first takeoff when the ground falls away and the sky accepts you. From that point on, you’re no longer a...

Aalisha Sugur
Feb 134 min read


Blog 5: Flight Maneuvers You’ll Learn as a Student Pilot
“Maneuvers teach you how to read the aircraft, respond instinctively, and fly with precision. They are the grammar of aviation’s...

Aalisha Sugur
Feb 13 min read


Blog 4: Understanding Aircraft Controls – Yoke, Rudder, Trim & Pedals
“Mastering the fundamentals of flight controls isn’t just about moving the plane — it’s about understanding how each motion translates...

Aalisha Sugur
Jan 253 min read


Blog 3: My Journey as a Student Pilot — From Ground School to First Logbook Entry
“The cockpit teaches you more than just how to fly — it teaches you discipline, patience, and confidence under pressure.”— Aalisha,...

Aalisha Sugur
Jan 183 min read


Blog 2: The Different Paths in Aviation — Hobbyist, Pilot, Drone Pro & Engineer
“Flying is more than just sitting in the cockpit. It’s a world of endless possibilities—each one uniquely thrilling and vital to the...

Aalisha Sugur
Jan 113 min read


Blog 1: So You Want to Fly? Here's How to Start
“Every time I step into the cockpit, I feel more alive and more focused than anywhere else.”— Aalisha, Student Pilot, Princeton Flying...

Aalisha Sugur
Jan 43 min read
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