What we hold, and why.

The knowledge assessment stores answers, option order, training stage, optional self-reported confidence/recency and reports in this browser. Signed-in attempts use an account-specific browser key; this is not cross-device cloud synchronization. Anonymous attempts remain associated with this browser, so avoid using a shared device for a private record. Answers are sent to TPM's server for marking; this workflow does not create an instructor endorsement or modify earlier Readiness evidence. Return-to-flying plans and comparison selections are also browser-saved where stated. Clearing site storage removes these browser copies.

JD ATLAS LLC operates The Pilot Method at https://pilotmethodaviation.com and is the controller of the data described here.

For any privacy question or request, write to fly@pilotmethodaviation.com or use the contact form.

If you create an account, we hold your email address, an authentication record managed by our hosting backend, and the profile details you choose to give — a display name and, optionally, your training stage and goal from the onboarding questions. This exists so you can sign in and so the site can show you relevant material.

If you request an instructor role, we hold that request and its review status. Platform roles are stored separately from your profile. If you publish an instructor profile, claim a flight school listing, or book a session, we hold the profile details, the claim and its evidence, and the booking record. Verification documents supplied by an instructor are private and are never shown publicly.

When you complete a purchase, we hold an order record and the resulting product entitlements linked to your account, so you keep access to what you bought.

Payments are processed by Stripe. Card details are entered on Stripe's own checkout, and this site does not receive or store raw card numbers. We keep only the identifiers Stripe returns — such as a session, payment or customer reference — plus the amount, currency and status. Raw card numbers are never received or stored by us.

When you use the contact form we store the name, email address, subject and message you submit, the page you sent it from, the time you confirmed the consent checkbox, and a handling status. We use it to answer you and to keep a record of support history. We do not store your IP address, and the form is not used for marketing.

Airport favorites and recent selections can be remembered on this device only when you select that option. Clear saved airports removes those preferences. Weather requests contain airport/station identifiers, not your account identity or microphone audio; TPM retrieves and caches public reports on its server. Synthetic weather reading uses the device/browser speech service, whose processing depends on the selected voice and browser.

Microphone use is optional. Browser speech recognition may transmit audio to the browser vendor's speech-service provider; it is not guaranteed to run on your device. TPM does not receive that browser-recognition audio. Processing and retention depend on the browser and its provider.

When server-clip transcription is configured, signed-in users can explicitly select it. A clip of up to 30 seconds is sent through TPM to OpenAI for transcription. TPM does not write the raw clip to its database or file storage. This does not mean the upstream provider immediately deletes it: provider handling is governed by the applicable service policy and account configuration. You may use typed input instead.

Submitted practice transcripts, scores and session records are saved to your account when you use signed-in practice. They are separate from audio clips and remain part of your training history until deleted under our account-data process. Avoid speaking personal or sensitive information into a practice transmission.

The site uses essential storage only: a session token so you stay signed in, and small local preferences for interactive planners. There are no advertising cookies and no cross-site tracking pixels.

We do not use advertising cookies or cross-site tracking pixels. Essential product events may be recorded to operate and improve account, checkout, and training flows.

Our hosting and database provider stores the data on our behalf. Stripe processes payments. Our account and email delivery services handle authentication, access, and receipt messages when those messages are required. We do not sell personal data and we do not share it for advertising.

Account, profile and entitlement data is kept while your account exists, because it is what proves your access. Contact messages are kept while they are useful as support history. Ask us through the contact form and we will delete what is not required to keep a record of a purchase.

You can ask for a copy of your data, a correction, or deletion of your account by writing to fly@pilotmethodaviation.com or through the contact form. We will respond to the address you write from.

This notice describes our actual practice. It is not a claim of certification or of formal compliance with any specific privacy regime.

When this notice changes we update the effective date at the top of the page. Material changes affecting account holders will also be shown in the account area.