Learning to Fly
So, you've got the itch. Maybe you have always dreamed of flying. Maybe you
just think it's cool. Whatever the reason, you're finding yourself reading
this page. Perhaps even for the second time. Well, sounds like it's time to do
something. The first steps are surprisingly easy, enjoyable and rewarding.
The Introductory Flight
The first step in learning to fly is the introductory flight. Just find a
flight school or a flight instructor and call them up to arrange the intro.
flight. This first flight is your chance to see what flight lessons look like.
It is also your chance to get an impression of the flight school/flight
instructor. The flight typically lasts half an hour or slightly longer. Like
all flight lessons it should involve a pre-flight briefing and a post-flight
debriefing. Overall, you may end up spending a couple of hours at the airport.
Make time for it. You do not want to rush any flight lesson.
The introductory flight should be fun, but it should also be educational.
While most students don't retain much knowledge from their first flight, you
want the instructor to actually do some teaching, so that you can evaluate
whether his/her teaching methods are appropriate for you. Flight instruction
is a personal interaction, and relies on good communication between instructor
and student. All students (and instructors) are different. You need to make
sure the instructor you are flying with can effectively teach you, and
the only way to find out is to try.
With my students, I try to make the introductory flight a positive
experience, and let the student actually feel the airplane flying. To this
end, I try to schedule introductory flights only at times when the weather is
good, and a smooth and easy flight can be expected. We typically start with a
walk around of the airplane. We go over the various parts of the airplane as
we do the preflight checks, both inside the cockpit and outside. This part
usually takes about an hour Then comes the time to actually go flying. The
flight will normally consists of some climbs and descents, with perhaps a few
shallow turns, and then a return to landing. I strive to have the student at
the controls the whole time, with me obviously helping at times.
The Next Step
So, if you liked your introductory flight, and you think you're ready to
start your flight training, what's next? Typically, you'll be working towards
your Private Pilot Certificate. While other
goals (such as the Recreational Pilot or the new Sport Pilot certificates) are
also reasonable, the vast majority of new pilots start with their private, as
it is called in short.
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