Top Flight Schools in California

Posted on by TT

Being a pilot is a job that requires very specific skills that can only be developed with adequate training and practice. If you want to be a pilot, choosing the right flight school to go to can be one of the most important steps to becoming one. Careful thought and consideration should be taken to ensure that you get the proper instruction and training needed to become a great pilot.

If you’re in California and planning to be a pilot, here are three schools to go to if you’re looking for the best pilot training in California:

The Flight Academy

Located in 7900 Balboa Boulevard, The Flight Academy at Van Nuys is a family owned business created by the Tarakji brothers who are dedicated to providing the greatest standard of flight training in the US. Whether your aim is to learn to fly, prepare for an FAA knowledge test, upgrade your pilot license, become a Commercial Pilot, or seek an Aviation Career, The Flight Academy is committed to assisting you in achieving your objectives. Visit them for an introductory flight and you will not be disappointed.

California Flight Academy

Located in El Cajon, California, the California Flight Academy has trained thousands of students from around the world. They have several aircraft that are all maintained above FAA standard so you are sure that they are safe and reliable to fly. One of their best devices is their Redbird LD Flight Simulator which can be reconfigured to fly a wide variety of aircraft types.

ATP Flight School

A big flight school with training centre locations across the US, the ATP flight school has seven flight schools in California. They have a large training fleet and numerous simulators. The experience of ATP Flight School in training pilots is well-known with their hours of flight training, FAA certifications issued, and number of graduates.

Flying Academy

The Flying Academy’s flight school in California is located in Los Angeles where they have four single-engine aircraft. They also have a flight school in Europe and their students can combine flight training in both Europe and in the USA because they offer both EASA and FAA courses.

All these flight schools offer various flight courses and have good reputation of providing quality flight training. These are just some of the flight schools in California. There are quite a few more schools offering pilot training, just make sure to check the school’s training history and safety.

Cultural Taboos to Avoid in Germany

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Taboos in Germany

So you’re off to Germany ay? Besides needing to know a bit of German to fit in and get around, it’s important that you understand their culture as well. Things are not uniform around the world you know! Something completely normal at home could be extremely rude elsewhere. Make sure you don’t do any of these no-no’s while in Germany.

Avoid meaningless small talk

Let’s start with conversation. Feel free to get into a debate, talk about politics, or crack a joke at the expense of the Italian national football team. All of these are likely to be well received, and odds are you’ll find yourself engaged in a passionate conversation.

But don’t try and make casual small talk about the weather. Germans find this boring and a waste of time. They’re not much for the subtleties of the American conversation. If it isn’t worth saying, don’t say it. Everyone around you also knows what the weather is like.

Also, with that said, they are very honest and have no problem telling you exactly how they feel. Don’t get all blubbery if they say something you don’t like. Get over it and move along. After all, they are just being truthful with you.

Show up on time

Germans are punctual, and they expect you to be the same even if you’re visiting. Meeting someone for dinner? Plan to beat your reservation time by a good ten minutes because even walking in as it’s called is pushing the limits here.

No matter where you’re headed — be it work, a football match, the pub — keeping someone waiting is seriously frowned upon.

Even traffic is no excuse — leave your hotel or flat earlier than you need to, just in case something comes up. If you arrive early, use the extra few minutes to brush up on the news so that your conversation points are ready to go.

Keep those annoying habits to yourself

The American A-OK hand sign means something far different in much of the world, including Germany. Don’t ever make the sign at another person. Chewing gum, blowing your nose, winking at someone you don’t know well, rolling down the window to chat with someone outside — all of these minor infractions are taboo in Germany. 

The best way to avoid falling into the trap of these seemingly harmless habits is to do as the locals do — try to blend in as much as possible.

Always raise a toast at the pub

So now that you have a great conversation going, go ahead and order another beer for yourself. Just be sure to say prost before that first sip! In Germany, drinking beer is a pastime of the utmost respect, and the toast is the ideal way to acknowledge that you’re enjoying your time with those around you.

However, don’t end up getting super messy and falling flat on your face. You need to know how to hold your own! We all know their amazing beer goes down very well but don’t overdo it. Public drunkenness is definitely frowned upon.

Don’t jaywalk, no matter how tempting it might be

Perhaps you want to take a stroll around town in Munich or Berlin. There is plenty to see in both cities. Just don’t get caught jaywalking. There are designated areas for you to cross. If you do jaywalk, you will stick out like a sore thumb and possibly get fined.

European cities, Germany included, are generally far more pedestrian and bike-friendly than American cities. As such, pedestrians are expected to follow the rules. Don’t dart across the street during a red light, and don’t sprint through traffic just because someone is selling schnitzel on the other side of the street.

Another thing to be aware of is to stick to sidewalks. If you are wandering around on foot and decide to use the bike lane, you’re likely to get run over. Plain and simple. The bike lane is for bikes and they will have no problem kicking you out of their way. Walk where you are supposed to. If not, you might end up in the hospital.

Conclusion

Have you been listening so far? Great. I’m sure you will get on just fine. If you happen to meet a girl you fancy though, try not to bring her carnations or lilies! These flowers are given at funerals and she will kick you to the curb quicker than the bikers! So be sure to not ruin your chances by giving the wrong kind of flowers or by showing up late. Being punctual is a must whether you are on a date, business trip, or just meeting up with friends. Don’t keep people waiting.

Alright, now you’re ready to jet-set to Germany and you should have no problems getting on with everyone. Mind your manners and have fun! Bis Nachher! (See you later)

Author bio:

Thom Jackson is a contributing writer at Live Lingua and has spent five years living in Germany. He writes about language, culture, and politics. Although he currently calls Svalbard his home, he hopes to make it back to Bavaria again soon.

Best Vacation Spots for Christians

Posted on by TT
a traditional ferry sailing on the bay of tokyo

Are you looking for a vacation destination that is perfect for your family? Christians often search for a family-friendly vacation spot that is both fun and encourages spiritual growth. Fortunately, there are several great destinations in the United States that fit the bill. Let’s take a quick look at some of the best vacation spots for Christians in the US.

Orlando

While the first vacation destination that comes to mind when people think of Orlando, Florida is Disney World, there is also a Christian theme park that all believers should visit. The Holy Land Experience allows guests to walk through lifelike Bible scenes, see fantastic productions, and play in the Children’s Adventure Land.

Kentucky

Both the Ark Experience and Creation Museum are located in Kentucky. These exceptional museums are Biblically-based themed parks where tourists can learn more about the Old Testament while having fun and exploring the life-sized Noah’s ark. Touring the museums takes several hours because they also offer interactive exhibits, play areas, and food venues. Plus, guests can find unique religious art for their homes in the souvenir shops.

Christian Cruises

If you would rather not stay in one place, you can always take your family on a Christian cruise. Cruises are terrific vacation options because you do not have to drive, cook, or clean. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and have a great time with your family! What makes a Christian cruise unique is that is caters to believers and their families offering praise and worship opportunities, Bible studies, and more.

Final Vacation Suggestions

Even if you do not travel to a specific Christian destination, you can still incorporate your faith into your trip. While on vacation, consider visiting a local church, finding ways to serve in the area, or doing devotions as a family.

Get to Know 3 Man-Made Lakes in Charlotte

Posted on by TT
mountails and lake

Charlotte, North Carolina is a landlocked city – it is completely surrounded by land. However, this does not mean that you miss out on all the water fun if you are living in Charlotte. The largest city in the state of North Carolina is home to several lakes. These lakes provide a venue for boating, swimming, and other water activities.

If you are living in Charlotte, it is good to take advantage of what these lakes have to offer. Make sure to spend some time in three of the best ones:

  • Lake Norman. The biggest man-made freshwater lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman is also the most popular. Not only is this lake a place for recreation, it also provides electricity to the Piedmont region of North Carolina, which includes Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, Pinehurst and Sandhills, and Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle. Aside from providing electricity, Lake Norman also supplies water to Charlotte and other counties. As for recreational activities, among the things you can do in the Lake Norman State Park are fishing, boating, wakeboarding, rowing, and sailing.
  • Lake Wylie. Another man-made lake, Lake Wylie is also a reservoir and provides power to the Wylie Hydroelectric Station. This lake is a common recreational destination for both North Carolina and South Carolina residents. There are towns located along the lake and there are numerous public boat access areas. It is a great place for boating, camping, trail hiking, and picnics, among others.
  • Mountain Island Lake. This lake is the smallest man-made lake in North Carolina. Although it also provides power to the Mountain Island Hydroelectric Station, the main function of Mountain Island Lake is to provide drinking water to residents of Charlotte and other areas of Mecklenburg County and Gaston County. Boating and fishing are some of the popular activities in this lake.

Preparing to live in Charlotte? Check out the Bellhops city guide to learn what this city has to offer.

Talcum Powder and Cancer: What You Need to Know

Posted on by TT
close up of hand holding cup

The spotlight has been on talcum powder recently because of some high-profile lawsuits involving it. If you use talcum powder and you are concerned about its safety risks and how it is linked to cancer, here are some of the things you need to know:

Talc is the ingredient that is linked to cancer.

Talc is a mineral that is made up of several elements, mainly magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It is considered the softest mineral on earth and its softness and silky texture are the main properties that led to it being used in baby powders. Most baby powders are talcum powders – their main ingredient is talc.

There are two kinds of talc – talc that contains asbestos and talc that does not contain asbestos. The talcum powder lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson involve asbestos-free talc which is what the company uses for their products.

Studies have been done to see check if talcum powder causes cancer.

Numerous studies have been done over the years to look for a link between talcum powder use and cancer as far back as 1971. Among these is the use of talcum powder on the genital area. Some cancers associated with this are ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. There have been studies as well looking at the possibility of talcum powder causing lung cancer and stomach cancer when inhaled. The ovarian and uterine cancer risk being associated with talcum powder is when it is applied on the genital area. The studies suggest that the talcum powder particles get into the vagina, the uterus, and the fallopian tubes, causing inflammation which eventually develops into cancer tumors.

Only some of the studies show a link between talcum powder use and cancer. Some fail to show any link between talcum powder and cancer. Because of the unclear connection between them, many doctors and health professionals now think it is still best to avoid exposure to talcum powder to possibly lower any cancer risk it may have.

Johnson & Johnson has been asked to pay the plaintiffs in five cases amounting to a total of $724 million.

If there is still no clear cancer risk with the use of talcum powder, how come Johnson & Johnson lost several talcum powder lawsuits? The big problem lies in the fact that Johnson & Johnson knew about these studies linking talcum powder and cancer, but failed to put any kind of warning on their products. This possibly makes them liable for negligence for not informing users of their baby powder about the possible risk of ovarian cancer.

There are other powder products that do not contain talc.

If you are concerned about the risk of cancer associated with talcum powder use, the best thing to do is to avoid using talcum powder altogether. There are many alternative products that are available such as cornstarch-based powders. Alternatively, you may also choose to stop using powder altogether.

If you have been diagnosed by ovarian or uterine cancer and has been using Johnson & Johnson baby powder on your underwear or genital area, it is best to get in touch with a lawyer to discuss the possibility of filing a lawsuit.