5 ways PDK is an ideal place to learn

Leanna Osisek • Nov 15, 2022

Our airfield is a wonderful place to begin and/or continue your piloting journey. Ideally, where a pilot begins learning to fly will entail a balance of healthy challenges and familiar comforts. In the training environment, an airfield can quickly become both under or overwhelming, depending on a number of variables. So what makes KPDK such a joyous place to be based? Read on to find out...


Just the right size

As class Delta airspace, PDK is towered and congested but not too busy. Unlike class Charlie, where procedures get more complicated, talking on the radio is very manageable and excellent practice.  On the other hand, unlike class Echo, there is a fair amount of chatter occurring that must be monitored, and you aren't missing important information as the tower is providing sequencing rather than pilots being expected to self-announce. PDK is the perfect middle-ground when it comes to learning how to smoothly work into the different paces of aircraft traffic, and you will encounter a spectrum of operations from student training to chartered jet services.


Exemplary ATC

At Dekalb-Peachtree airport, our tower controllers are nothing short of legendary.  We are lucky to be able to take advantage off how extremely helpful and accommodating the staff is. Our ATC team is especially newbie-friendly; they are not only proficient and professional resources, but also celebratory role models through every stage of flight. The PDK tower personnel make piloting especially fun with minimal stress, and their instructions are an integral part of our learning environment running as well as it does.


Centrally located

Did you know KPDK is the second-busiest airport in Georgia, only after our class Bravo neighbor to the southwest, Hartsfield–Jackson?  Our location in metropolitan Atlanta drives any air traffic not needing to fly through KATL to our runways. This gives Dekalb-Peachtree airport a healthy amount of activity for aviators of every skill level, without having to drive very far. Minimizing your commute to/from a training flight will enable you to spend more mental energy on your aviating procedures.


A community second to none

Spend much time at our airport and you will find friendly faces in every hangar and FBO, and on every ramp. The residents of PDK are regulars and resources when it comes to aviating, and in our experience, often happy to help however they can. The amazing folks who call KPDK their home-base have cultivated a uniquely inviting and neighborly community that everyone can benefit from, especially in a learning-centric environment.

 

Things to do

The size of PDK facilitates activities which would be impossible at smaller or larger fields. A benefit of making Dekalb-Peachtree your home-base is easily accessing various attractions for aviators and non-aviators alike. Some of these opportunities include:

The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant - the 57th is a renowned airport restaurant with a fantastic patio and a respectable menu, fun aviation decor, and events throughout the year, great for post-flight debriefs or a group outing.

Food on Buford Hwy - if you are craving a specific kind of cuisine, you can most likely find it literally up the road on Buford Highway, which is just east of the airfield, and runs northeast to southwest.

Biplane Rides Over Atlanta - our airport is home to a business which conducts sightseeing flights in a vintage open cockpit biplane; the experience of seeing Atlanta from this perspective is not to be missed!

Different organizations - Various groups such as WAI, OBAP, NGPA, AOPA, and more, have hosted an array of events/meetings at the field; seminars, education sessions, and tower tours have also taken place here.

Filming location - PDK has been a site for numerous projects, performances, and functions featuring celebrities and stars from around the world. Keep your eyes peeled during taxiing and you may catch a scene in the works.


These are 5 of the most noteworthy ways PDK is an ideal place to learn, but is not an exhaustive list! Fly with NSPIRE and you will intimately get to know the advantages of being based here and why our airport is as excellent of a training airfield as one can be. Every learning environment has a personality, and we believe Dekalb-Peachtree's is hard to beat.

29 Sep, 2023
NEW AT NSPIRE
By Marcus Lansky 29 Sep, 2023
Maybe you’ve been thinking about making a dramatic career change. If you’ve always dreamed about becoming a pilot, this could be your opportunity to make that dream a reality. By taking a certification course with NSPIRE Aviation , you can kick off a new career as a commercial pilot! Furthermore, these tips will show you how to enhance your resume to secure your first job, and even walk you through some of the requirements for starting your own aviation business. Figure Out if It’s Time for a Change When do you know that it’s time for a career change? Sometimes, looking for a new job in the same field is enough - but sometimes, you need to completely shift directions. Robert Walters Group states that if your skills do not align with your true professional interests, it may be a sign to work on breaking into a new field, where you can pour your talents into a job that you love. Get Certified as a Commercial Pilot You’re committed to making a career change, and you’re ready to take the first big step towards becoming a commercial pilot by earning your pilot’s license. You’ll need to complete a private pilot certification first, earn an instrument rating, get your necessary flight hours under your belt, and then pass a written and practical exam covering everything you’ve learned. Finally, you’ll be ready to get your commercial pilot’s license! Update Your Resume If you’re getting ready to look for your first job as a commercial pilot, you might be wondering how to create a resume . Changing up your resume when switching fields can take time, so start this process early! AVJobs states that you can include your flight times, certifications, and ratings, as well as your previous jobs. Finally, even after you’ve created a strong resume, don’t forget that you can tweak it for each job opening. For example, you might want to add different keywords to the skills section based on the job description. You can also emphasize specific accomplishments in your professional history and academic sections. Navigate the Job Hunt You’ve got your license, your resume is ready, and you’re eager to start working as a pilot. You may need to get a flight instructor certification first, as it’s much easier to find employment as a flight instructor when you have minimal experience. Research different employers in your area, and try to network with people who already work there - they might be able to give you a valuable reference that could land you an interview! Even in the aviation field, networking is often the key to getting the job you want. Consider Starting Your Own Business One day, you might want to start your own business in the commercial aviation sector. For instance, if you live in an area that attracts tourists, you might want to offer private flights to show off the aerial views of your region. If you intend to start a business, you’ll have to obtain a business license first, as well as any appropriate permits. To find out which licenses and permits you’ll need, check out the requirements in your state. By hiring a service to assemble the list of required permits and licenses for your aviation business, you’ll save hours of time! Working in commercial aviation is an exciting career choice. If you’ve been itching for a career change, it might be time to take to the skies. With these tips, you’ll be ready to pursue a certification program, spruce up your resume for job applications, and even launch your very own aviation business in the future. Ready to earn your commercial pilot certification? Turn to NSPIRE Aviation ! Fill out the contact form on their website to learn more about the certification programs. Ready to earn your commercial pilot certification? Photo via Unsplash
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