I don’t know about you, but I like to be sure I am going to pass any test before I sign up to spend my time, and more importantly, my money, to take one. So in my history of taking FAA knowledge exams, I have relied heavily on practice tests online to rehearse for the big day. We all have purchased the different well know publishers prep books but I’d like to share a couple of my favorite websites.

Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? ever wanted to experience weightlessness? Well a company in Florida, Zero G, can make your dream come true. Ok so they won't put you in space, but their modified airliner will give you a chance to experience brief bouts of weightlessness.

Now the experience isn't cheap, but for just over $5000 you can saddle up for a few short minutes of weightlessness. However they are an excellent option for movies and researcher and just the curious to experience a true zero gravity moment. Now to figure out how to do the same thing in the Champ!

Welcome to the aviation app comparison page, your one stop for all the great aviation apps on your favorite platforms. Each column is sortable by clicking the heading, and additional information about each appcan be found by clicking on the name. Please let us know if you've got an app to add by contacting us here.

Click on headings to sort

Usage: This table is sortable by column, simply click on the heading to sort.

Disclaimer: The information contained here is accurate to the best of our abilities and as a rule we default to the manufacturers specifications.

I've been writing about some pretty heavy aviation issues lately. Aviation is a very important freedom to me and there are definitely some forces out there threatening it right now. As important as aviation is for commerce and industry, I feel about airplanes like Disney's Captain Jack Sparrow feels about ships. (Answers.com has the quote.)

Thankfully, there's at least one company out there that helps me remember this: Paradise Aircraft.

If you're looking for an excuse to take the plane around the patch I suggest you stop by and take a look at the LightHawk website. This non-profit matches pilot's and airplanes with folks that need a ride to enhance their perspective. I had a chance to talk to Shannon at Airventure and she wasted no time comparing their service to that provided by a similar non-profit, namely AngelFlight. Simply put, LightHawk is for the environment what AngelFlight is for people. Donate your time and show a person with influence just how the world looks from 2000 ft AGL.

One of my favorite parts of Airventure, besides the airplanes, is taking stock of all the new vendors. Getting through all four main exhibit buildings takes me the better part of an entire day, and by the time I'm done there are always a few new favorites.

My mission every year is to find a T-Shirt that I'd actually wear someplace other than an airshow. I'm a definitely a T-Shirt and jeans kind of guy, but I'm not into the loud graphics that adorn most of the stuff for sale at Airventure. So I was extremely excited to see the understated designs at the Red Canoe booth.

The pursuit of the $100 hamburger is an aviation inside joke passed on from generation to generation. It's code for making up a reason to fly, because flying is just a little bit more fun when you've got a destination in mind. The $100 comes from adding the price of your aircraft rental or maintenance to the cost of the meal. This usually pushes the hamburger cost to somewhere in the neighborhood of $100. The best hamburger runs involve the local airport greasy spoon, because the food is typically decent and it's within walking distance of the tarmac. This way you don't have to bother with finding other transportation.

Sometimes you just need a little distraction to get through the day. I use music, some classical music works nicely if you're trying to concentrate, and maybe something a little harder if you're trying to get fired up for that confrontation with your boss. If you happen to be in the mood for something aviation related fun we've got a suggestion for ya.