Aviation 101
How to get involved in Aviation
Community
Join an Aviation Club!
Immerse yourself in a community passionate about all aspects of flying, from enthusiasts to seasoned pilots, offering invaluable knowledge, camaraderie, and opportunities to expand your aviation horizons.
Clubs local to the Vermilion Regional Airport are:
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is dedicated to promoting and supporting recreational aviation. All are welcome regardless of pilot/ aircraft ownership status!
Visit the clubs Facebook page to learn more
The primary purpose of a flying club is to share in the mutual benefit and costs of owning and maintaining an airplane. VCFC has a 1965 Cessna 172 available for our members to use, and can connect you with local Certified Flight Instructors!
Visit their Facebook page to learn more.
The Illini Glider Club flies every weekend from March 15th to December 15th (weather permitting). The glider club offers introductory glider flights, and training for members. Membership includes low-cost instruction, no rental fees, and minimal tow fees. For more information visit their website or Facebook page by using the links below.
Aviation Airshows
Balloons Over Vermilion
The annual Balloon Event held right here at Vermilion Regional Airport!
July 12 & 13, 2024
View Website
Chicago Air and Water Show
August 10th –11th, 2024
View Website
Quad City Air Show
June 22nd – 23rd, 2024
View Website
Scott Air Force Base Air Show and Open House
Held every 2 years
June 14-15, 2025
View Website
Waukegan Airshow
September 7th, 2024
View Website
Aviation Museums
Aviation Museums near Danville, IL:
Vermilion County War Museum
Danville, IL
Frasca Air Museum
Urbana, IL
Heritage In Flight Museum
Lincoln, IL
Air Combat Museum
Springfield, IL
Illinois Aviation Museum
Boilingbrook, IL
Air Classics Museum
Sugar Grove, IL
Play
Video Games
Games can be an excellent way to introduce yourself and others to the world of aviation. Some types of aviation themed videogames are:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- X-Plane 11, Prepar3D (Lockheed Martin Prepar3D)
- Digital Combat Simulator (DCS World)
- IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles Series, FlightGear
- Tower!3D Pro
- Tracon! 2012
- ATCsimulator®2
- Airport Madness Series
- ATC4Real, OpenScope
- SimplePlanes
- Kerbal Space Program
- SimpleRockets 2, Besiege
- IL-2 Sturmovik Series
- War Thunder
- Wings of Prey
- IL-2 Great Battles Series, Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War
- DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator)
Drones
Drones offer a captivating and versatile platform for both hobbyists and professionals, providing endless opportunities for learning, exploration, and innovation in recreational and commercial applications alike.
In the United States, recreational drone pilots who are flying solely for fun and not for commercial purposes are not required to obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, regardless of age. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides specific guidelines for recreational drone pilots under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Section 349 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018). These guidelines apply to drone pilots of all ages and include the following key provisions:
- Fly for Hobby or Recreation Only (Not commercial or for profit)
- Register the Drone: (if > 0.55 pounds (250 grams)
- Follow Community-Based Safety Guidelines
- Fly within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)at all times
- Fly Below 400 Feet AGL (Above Ground Level):
- Respect No-Fly Zones and Temporary Flight Restrictions:
Anyone flying a drone commercially will need to obtain a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), regardless of age. Common commercial purposes include aerial photography, videography, surveying, mapping, and inspection services. You must be at least 16 years old to obtain the Part 107 certificate but may begin studying and practicing the concepts earlier as a hobbyist.
Learn
Learning about aviation opens up many paths that can lead to lasting rewards. Individuals will pick up valuable insights and skills that not only deepen their understanding of aviation but also set them up for success in the field of aeronautics.
The Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, commonly referred to as the PHAK (P-hak) in industry, is the primary study reference for those studying flight.
The PHAK covers a wide range of topics related to aviation, including aerodynamics, aircraft systems, flight instruments, airspace regulations, weather theory, navigation techniques, flight planning, and aviation safety.
The FAA allows for free downloads of the PHAK on their website. They also list all sections of the PHAK to encourage individuals to begin with the section that aligns with their interests or learning priorities.
By starting with the section of greatest interest, individuals can delve deeper into specific topics and cultivate a more personal appreciation and understanding of aviation and aeronautical topics.
Visit the FAA website here to read or download the PHAK:
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
Taking classes for the Part 107 drone certificate, and/or getting a drone license, can provide a foundational understanding of aviation principles and regulations that can be beneficial for other areas of aviation.
Drone school is a great introduction for FAA regulatory knowledge, main principles of aeronautical knowledge, safety practices, communication skills (talking to ATC/ other pilots is always daunting to new students), and navigational and situational awareness!
If you already have your Private Pilots License, the FAA offers a free course that allows you to get your drone license without needing to take the Part 107 Aeronautical Test.t
There are numerous aviation-themed books that can help individuals learn about aviation and prepare for a career in the field. Here are some recommendations across different aspects of aviation:
- Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying by Wolfgang Langewiesche: Considered a classic in aviation literature, this book delves into the fundamentals of flying, focusing on the relationship between the pilot and the aircraft’s controls. It offers insights into the principles of flight and emphasizes the importance of developing a feel for flying.
- Weather Flying by Robert N. Buck: Weather is a crucial aspect of aviation, and this book provides valuable insights into understanding and dealing with weather-related challenges in flight. It covers topics such as weather theory, interpreting weather reports and forecasts, making weather-related decisions, and coping with in-flight weather encounters.
- Fate Is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann: This captivating memoir offers a firsthand account of the author’s experiences as a commercial pilot during the early days of aviation. Through engaging storytelling, Gann provides insights into the realities of flying, the challenges faced by pilots, and the thrill of exploration and adventure in the skies.
- The Wright Brothers by David McCullough: This biography offers a fascinating look into the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the pioneers of powered flight. McCullough’s detailed research and engaging narrative provide insights into the brothers’ determination, ingenuity, and groundbreaking achievements in aviation history.