Parrish Aviation Flight Academy
Free Pilot Training Resources

The Parrish Aviation
Pilot Training Blog

Expert guides written by Jack Parrish — former airline First Officer, NAFI Master CFI, and founder of DFW's leading Part 141 flight school. Checkride prep, DFW airspace, weather, study resources, and more.

DPE Listings10 min read

DFW Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) — Complete 2026 Listings

A comprehensive directory of FAA Designated Pilot Examiners serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Includes contact info, certificates conducted, and tips on how to schedule your checkride.

February 18, 2026Read
Study Resources14 min read

The Best Study Resources for Student Pilots in 2026

From the FAA Airman Certification Standards to Sporty's apps, ForeFlight, and free FAA publications — a curated list of study tools that actually move the needle on your written test score and checkride readiness.

February 15, 2026Read
Weather16 min read

DFW Weather Guide for Pilots: Thunderstorms, Wind & VFR Planning

North Texas weather is some of the most dynamic in the country. This guide covers seasonal weather patterns at KRBD and T67, reading METARs and TAFs for DFW, and how to make sound go/no-go decisions as a student pilot.

February 12, 2026Read
Airspace20 min read

DFW Airspace Breakdown: Class B, C, D & Special Use Airspace

Flying in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex means navigating some of the most complex airspace in the United States. This visual guide breaks down DFW Class B, DAL/ADS/FTW Class D, MOAs, and the routes student pilots use every day.

February 10, 2026Read
News3 min read

Parrish Aviation Orders 10 New Sling NGT Aircraft in 2026!

Parrish Aviation Flight Academy announces an order for 10 new Sling NGT aircraft — a major expansion of its modern glass cockpit training fleet.

March 4, 2026Read
News5 min read

Flight School Scheduling Made Easy

Parrish Aviation transitions to FlyFourForces — a purpose-built flight school management platform for easier scheduling, billing, and training oversight.

February 15, 2026Read
News3 min read

Purdue Global Visits Parrish Aviation

Parrish Aviation hosted Purdue Global for a campus visit focused on student engagement, career development, and the opportunity to earn college credits through flight training.

February 5, 2026Read
News6 min read

Parrish Aviation Opens New Pilot Shop at Dallas Executive

A new on-airport pilot shop opens at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) in January 2026 — stocking FAA-approved training materials, headsets, flight bags, and professional pilot gear.

December 29, 2025Read
Flight Training5 min read

Best Flight School to Become a Commercial Pilot

What separates the best commercial pilot flight schools from the rest? Structured training, professional standards, and a proven pipeline to the airlines.

December 23, 2025Read
News4 min read

Parrish Aviation: Now an Official PSI Testing Center

Parrish Aviation is now an authorized PSI Testing Center — students can take all FAA Airman Knowledge Tests on campus at Dallas Executive Airport.

December 23, 2025Read
Flight Training7 min read

Enroll Now for 2026: Why Parrish Aviation Is the Best Place to Start

2026 is shaping up to be one of the best years in history to start flight training. Here's why Parrish Aviation is the right place to begin your aviation journey.

December 11, 2025Read
Flight Training2 min read

Dallas Hidden Gem Airport is Perfect for Flight Training

Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) offers the perfect balance of Class D airspace, minimal traffic, and professional training environment — without the delays of larger airports.

September 24, 2025Read
Weather8 min read

How To Decipher Aviation Weather

A 7-question checklist for interpreting aviation weather from macro to micro — prog charts, stability, moisture, METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, and visual confirmation.

September 23, 2025Read
News2 min read

Parrish Aviation Receives FAA Part 141 Certification

Parrish Aviation Flight Academy announces receipt of FAA Part 141 certification — a milestone in the school's commitment to structured, high-quality flight training.

July 16, 2025Read
News2 min read

Jack Parrish Named NAFI Master CFI

The National Association of Flight Instructors announces that Jack Parrish, founder of Parrish Aviation, has earned the prestigious NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation.

July 16, 2025Read
Training Tips4 min read

Flight Training Tips From a Flight School Owner

4 practical tips from Jack Parrish that helped him as a student pilot — and that make every student who applies them progress faster and perform better.

July 9, 2025Read
Regulations10 min read

FAA Legal Interpretations

A curated, organized index of FAA legal interpretation letters relevant to fixed-wing pilots — covering instructor rules, currency, airspace, equipment, logging, and medical.

October 16, 2024Read
Programs7 min read

Your Guide to Our International Airline Pilot Program

Everything international students need to know about Parrish Aviation's airline pilot program — visa requirements, housing, course sequence, and career outcomes.

January 9, 2024Read
Checkride Prep8 min read

How to Better Prepare for the Oral Side of a Checkride

10 proven strategies for oral exam preparation — from mastering the ACS to mock oral sessions, precision communication, and realistic scenario practice.

October 6, 2023Read
Flight Training6 min read

Navigating the Skies: Private, Instrument, and Commercial Pilots

A clear breakdown of the differences between private, instrument, and commercial pilot certificates — requirements, privileges, and what each stage means for your career.

September 29, 2023Read
Checkride Prep8 min read

Your CFI Checkride: The Ultimate Preparation Guide

The CFI checkride tests you as both pilot and teacher. This guide covers FOI requirements, lesson plans, common failure points, and how to demonstrate teaching ability under pressure.

September 1, 2023Read
Ratings7 min read

Soaring to New Heights: Becoming a Multi-Engine Pilot

Multi-engine training opens new career doors. Learn engine-out procedures, Vmc, critical engine concepts, and why the multi-engine rating is a key milestone for career pilots.

August 9, 2023Read
Career6 min read

The Fulfilling Journey of a Certified Flight Instructor

Becoming a CFI is more than a time-building strategy — it's one of the most rewarding careers in aviation. Here's what to expect from training to instructing.

July 24, 2023Read
Career5 min read

Career Pathways in the Aviation Industry

Beyond airlines — explore the full range of aviation careers: corporate, charter, CFI, ag aviation, EMS, cargo, and government flying. Every path starts the same way.

June 16, 2023Read
Getting Started6 min read

Soaring to Success: A Guide to Prepare for Flight School

Medical certificate, ground study, choosing the right school, finances, time commitment — everything to do before your first lesson to set yourself up for success.

June 9, 2023Read
Checkride Prep5 min read

Mastering the Skies: The Best Way to Prepare for a Pilot Check Ride

A practical checkride preparation strategy — from downloading the ACS first to mock orals, consistent flying, and the documents checklist every applicant must bring.

June 2, 2023Read
Training Tips6 min read

The Importance of Pilot Ground Training

Ground training is the foundation of safe flight. Aerodynamics, weather, regulations, navigation, and ADM — what it covers, why it matters, and how to make the most of it.

May 26, 2023Read
Training Tips5 min read

The Benefits of Pilot Spin Training

Spin training builds stall recognition instincts, confidence at unusual attitudes, and rudder coordination. Here's the PARE recovery method and why every pilot should experience spins.

May 19, 2023Read
Programs4 min read

Accelerated Flight Instructor Program

Experienced commercial pilots can complete their CFI certificate in 4-8 weeks with Parrish Aviation's accelerated program — intensive ground and flight training with daily lessons.

May 12, 2023Read
Ratings5 min read

Multi-Engine Flight Training

Multi-engine training at Parrish Aviation in the Twin Comanche — engine-out procedures, Vmc, feathering, and why adding MEI makes you more valuable as an instructor.

May 5, 2023Read
Financing5 min read

Flight Training Financing Options

From Wurthy Financial's 100% aviation loans to 529 plans and VA benefits — a complete guide to financing your flight training at Parrish Aviation.

April 28, 2023Read
Getting Started6 min read

Steps to Become a Pilot

The complete step-by-step path from zero to airline pilot — FAA medical, PPL, instrument rating, commercial, CFI, time building, ATP, and first officer.

April 21, 2023Read
Getting Started6 min read

What to Expect During Flight Training

First lesson through solo through checkride — a realistic picture of the student pilot experience, including plateaus, timelines, and what the written test process looks like.

April 14, 2023Read
Getting Started5 min read

Choosing a Flight School

FAA certification, safety record, instructor quality, fleet condition, location, cost transparency, and culture — the key factors in choosing the right flight school.

April 12, 2023Read
About2 min read

About Parrish Aviation Flight Academy

Parrish Aviation is a premier FAA Part 141 flight school at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD), founded by Jack Parrish — ATP, NAFI Master CFI, and fourth-generation aviator.

December 30, 2022Read
Flight Training5 min read

What Are Flight Academies?

Flight academies offer structured Part 141 curricula with stage checks, defined timelines, and full fleet/instructor infrastructure — here's what to look for.

December 29, 2022Read
Career5 min read

Career Prospects for Pilots

Boeing projects 649,000 new pilots needed in 20 years. Salary progression from regional FO to major airline captain, and how to position yourself to capitalize on demand.

December 23, 2022Read
Training Tips4 min read

The Importance of Regular Flight Training

Frequency beats intensity in flight training. Why flying 3+ times per week produces faster skill development — and how currency differs from true proficiency.

December 22, 2022Read
Getting Started5 min read

The Different Types of Pilot Certificates

From Student Pilot through ATP — a complete breakdown of every FAA pilot certificate, its requirements, privileges, and limitations.

December 22, 2022Read
Getting Started4 min read

The Role of a Flight School in Becoming a Pilot

Instruction, fleet, ground school, scheduling, regulatory oversight, community, and career guidance — what a good flight school provides that you can't get on your own.

December 13, 2022Read
Aviation History5 min read

The History of Flight and the Pioneers of Aviation

From the Wright Brothers' 12-second flight to Lindbergh's transatlantic crossing, Yeager breaking the sound barrier, and the jet age — the story of human flight.

December 13, 2022Read
Training Tips5 min read

The Role of Technology in Modern Flight Training

Glass cockpits, ForeFlight, flight simulators, online ground school, and scheduling software — how technology transforms training without replacing the fundamentals.

December 13, 2022Read
Aircraft Reference4 min read

Cessna 172 Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS 3A12)

Key data from the official FAA TCDS 3A12 for the Cessna 172 — engine options by variant, gross weight, CG range, and airspeed limits.

November 28, 2022Read
Aircraft Reference4 min read

Cessna 172M Pilot Operating Handbook

Key performance data from the Cessna 172M POH — engine specs, weights, fuel capacity, cruise speed, range, and takeoff/landing distances.

November 28, 2022Read
Career8 min read

How To Become An Airline Pilot

The complete roadmap from zero flight time to regional airline first officer — PPL, IR, CPL, CFI, 1,500 hours, ATP, and what to expect at each stage of the journey.

November 18, 2022Read
JP
Written by Jack Parrish
ATPB757/767 Type RatedNAFI Master CFIFAA Gold SealFSANA Board

Jack Parrish is the founder and Chief Flight Instructor of Parrish Aviation Flight Academy. A former airline First Officer with Boeing 757/767 and Embraer 170/190 type ratings, Jack holds the NAFI Master CFI designation — awarded to fewer than 1% of all CFIs nationally — and serves on the FSANA Board of Directors.

Full bio

Ready to Start Flying?

Parrish Aviation is DFW's FAA Part 141 certified flight school at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) and Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD).