Gary Baumgardner
Pilot
Education
- Aviation Science, Utah Valley University
Professional Achievements
- Has thousands of hours of international flight experience
- Founder of Courage to Fly Academy, an online program dedicated to helping people overcome their fear of flying through expert aviation knowledge, mindset coaching, and practical strategies
- Creator of the popular “Garybpilot” YouTube channel, where his aviation documentaries and accident analyses have been viewed by millions worldwide
- Blends pilot insight with accessible education, making complex aviation topics clear and reassuring for the general public
Certifications & Organizations
- FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
- FAA Certified Flight Instructor: CFI, CFII, MEI
- Type Ratings: Boeing 777, Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Bombardier CL-65
- Founder, Courage to Fly Academy
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Co-authored Articles (18)
How to
Fly a Cessna
This article focuses on taking you through all of the basics for the six instruments in a Cessna 172, one of the most common aircraft. The Cessna 172 is illustrative of all similar types of aircraft. Moreover, if needed,...
An Explanation of TikTok’s Jello Theory About Plane Turbulence
Learn why visualizing jello is easing flight anxiety on TikTokIf you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen users talking about jello theory and how it’s helped them conquer their fear of flying—...
How to
Navigate Using a VOR
VOR, short for VHF Omni-directional Range, is a type of radio navigation system for aircraft. VORs broadcast a VHF radio composite signal including the station's Morse code identifier (and sometimes a voice identifier), ...
How to
Survive a Plane Crash
The chances of dying on a commercial airline flight are actually as low as 9 million to 1. That said, a lot can go wrong at above the ground, and if you’re unlucky enough to be aboard when something does, the decision...
How to
Avoid Ear Pain During a Flight
''Proven tips for preventing ear pain, popping, and pressure when flying''You may experience pain, stuffiness, or discomfort in your ears during takeoff and landing, when rapid changes in altitude cause an imbalance betw...
How to
Become a Pilot
Becoming a pilot takes years of education, training, and licensure. Preparing early will help you know what to expect and plan out your career map beforehand. For the best-paying piloting careers, you will need at least ...
How to
Identify an Airbus A320 Family Aircraft
The Airbus A320 family consists of short-to medium-range, narrow-body, twin-engine, passenger jet airliners by Airbus. They have become icons within the aviation community for their quietness, effectiveness, and price. T...
How to
Land a Cessna 172
Impress your friends on your aviation knowledge. Landing a plane is the most important part of a flight. Fly safe! These instructions assume you are approaching a towered airport for landing in a left traffic pattern, an...
How to
Read an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
Aviators use METAR reports to gain essential knowledge about flying conditions. To a casual observer, a report may look like a string of random and numbers, but every report contains a lot of data. These reports aren’t...
How to
Become an Airline Pilot
Do you dream of soaring through the skies at high altitudes and getting paid for it? If so, being an airline pilot might be the perfect job for you! There are actually a few different paths you can take to become a pilot...
How to
Take off in a Cessna 172
This is an article on how to take off in a Cessna 172.
How to
Assume the Brace Position
It's easy to tune out the in-flight safety demonstration when you're flying on a plane, but the crew is giving you valuable information. If you fly frequently or just want more details on what to do when your plane hits ...
Can Speed Limits Be Enforced by Aircraft? The Truth Behind the Signs
Plus, which states use aircraft & how to contest your ticketIf you see “Speed Limit Enforced by Aircraft” signs on the road, it might be a little confusing to understand. Don’t worry—a helicopter won’t land and...
What Happens if Overhead Bins Are Full?
You have enough to keep track of when it comes to planning or taking a trip, so you shouldn’t have to stress over what happens to your baggage. Whether you’re worried if your luggage will even fit in a plane’s over...
How to
Calculate Aircraft Payload
The term “payload” literally refers to the load that’s being paid to be transported. Calculating how much of a payload you can fit onto an aircraft isn’t super complicated, but it’s really important that you ge...
How to
Become Ground Crew at an Airport
Working on ground crew at an airport is a really cool gig! There are lots of positions to choose from, but the most common ones are baggage/cargo handlers, ramp agents, maintenance crew, station attendants, and cabin se...
How to
Become a Navy Pilot
To become a pilot in the United States Navy you must meet educational, physical and medical preconditions and complete several stages of training. The educational requirements are among the more significant and time-cons...
How to
Become a Test Pilot
Test pilots fly airplanes in development, newly developed and retrofitted aircraft to ensure they fly according to design specifications and the standards of the airlines or militaries that buy them. While "test pilot" c...
