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.
Everything student pilots need to know before walking into a checkride — oral exam areas of emphasis, practical test standards, common failure points, and how to prepare so you pass on the first attempt.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Parrish Aviation Flight Academy announces an order for 10 new Sling NGT aircraft — a major expansion of its modern glass cockpit training fleet.
Parrish Aviation transitions to FlyFourForces — a purpose-built flight school management platform for easier scheduling, billing, and training oversight.
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.
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.
What separates the best commercial pilot flight schools from the rest? Structured training, professional standards, and a proven pipeline to the airlines.
Parrish Aviation is now an authorized PSI Testing Center — students can take all FAA Airman Knowledge Tests on campus at Dallas Executive Airport.
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.
Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) offers the perfect balance of Class D airspace, minimal traffic, and professional training environment — without the delays of larger airports.
A 7-question checklist for interpreting aviation weather from macro to micro — prog charts, stability, moisture, METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, and visual confirmation.
Parrish Aviation Flight Academy announces receipt of FAA Part 141 certification — a milestone in the school's commitment to structured, high-quality flight training.
The National Association of Flight Instructors announces that Jack Parrish, founder of Parrish Aviation, has earned the prestigious NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation.
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.
A curated, organized index of FAA legal interpretation letters relevant to fixed-wing pilots — covering instructor rules, currency, airspace, equipment, logging, and medical.
Everything international students need to know about Parrish Aviation's airline pilot program — visa requirements, housing, course sequence, and career outcomes.
10 proven strategies for oral exam preparation — from mastering the ACS to mock oral sessions, precision communication, and realistic scenario practice.
A clear breakdown of the differences between private, instrument, and commercial pilot certificates — requirements, privileges, and what each stage means for your career.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Medical certificate, ground study, choosing the right school, finances, time commitment — everything to do before your first lesson to set yourself up for success.
A practical checkride preparation strategy — from downloading the ACS first to mock orals, consistent flying, and the documents checklist every applicant must bring.
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.
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.
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.
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.
From Wurthy Financial's 100% aviation loans to 529 plans and VA benefits — a complete guide to financing your flight training at Parrish Aviation.
The complete step-by-step path from zero to airline pilot — FAA medical, PPL, instrument rating, commercial, CFI, time building, ATP, and first officer.
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.
FAA certification, safety record, instructor quality, fleet condition, location, cost transparency, and culture — the key factors in choosing the right flight school.
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.
Flight academies offer structured Part 141 curricula with stage checks, defined timelines, and full fleet/instructor infrastructure — here's what to look for.
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.
Frequency beats intensity in flight training. Why flying 3+ times per week produces faster skill development — and how currency differs from true proficiency.
From Student Pilot through ATP — a complete breakdown of every FAA pilot certificate, its requirements, privileges, and limitations.
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.
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.
Glass cockpits, ForeFlight, flight simulators, online ground school, and scheduling software — how technology transforms training without replacing the fundamentals.
Key data from the official FAA TCDS 3A12 for the Cessna 172 — engine options by variant, gross weight, CG range, and airspeed limits.
Key performance data from the Cessna 172M POH — engine specs, weights, fuel capacity, cruise speed, range, and takeoff/landing distances.
Complete reference for the Sling LSA POH Rev 3.4 — Rotax 912 iS specs, key airspeeds (Vne 135 KIAS, Va 91 KIAS, Vy 72 KIAS), takeoff/landing distances, cruise performance, emergency procedures, and checkride study guide.
Complete reference for the Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche C — Vmc 90 mph, single-engine procedures, propeller feathering, cruise speeds up to 198 mph, stall speeds by bank angle, emergency procedures, and multi-engine rating study guide.
Complete reference for the Aeromot AMT-200S Ximango — Vne 132 KIAS, VRA 97 KIAS, best glide ratio 31:1 at 58 KIAS, Rotax 912S specs, soaring performance, feathering procedures, emergency procedures, and glider rating study guide.
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.
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 bioParrish Aviation is DFW's FAA Part 141 certified flight school at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) and Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD).