1. Underutilizing at-home study and being under prepared for the lessons

Learning to fly is almost like a full-time job. It requires a lot of study outside the airplane. One of the mistakes we see students making is coming to the lesson under-prepared. The last time you thought about flying should never be the last time you met with your instructor. You’ll end up taking more time relearning the material than you’ll spend making progress toward your goals. I highly recommend going over the lesson once you get home for 20 to 30 minutes at least. Your brain has time to unwind after the lesson on your drive home, then, if you peek back into the material for half an hour it does wonders for your memory.

Another great tool for at-home study is the 2023 Learn to Fly Course (now $50 off). The video lessons and review quizzes make tracking progress easy and covering topics fun. You’ll be able to go over the lesson you just did and then start looking forward at the next topics your instructor is going to cover. You can even invite your instructor to follow along with your progress in the course. They’ll be able to see the videos you’ve watched and the quizzes you’ve taken so they know what to cover with you.

Don’t waste money and time by forgetting the lessons and covering the same topics over and over. Just use your own time wisely and you and your instructor will be happy you did.

2. The iron grip and over controlling.

When you first get in the airplane and take the controls it’s difficult to manage everything that’s happening around you. There’s more gauges, more controls and more room for error than probably any other vehicle you’ve controlled. When I was a student, I had a terrible time with over corrections. I’d lose 100 feet of altitude and suddenly find myself climbing 500 feet per minute. Or I’d get lined up with the runway and drift a little left, only to over correct to the right.

And let’s not forget one of the causes of this issue, the iron grip on the yoke. My instructor put it plain and simple for me, “The airplane wants to fly, just let it be and relax.” You’re just there to keep things running smoothly when you think about it. Flying is about grace and finesse. I promise that if you relax, your flying will improve.

3. Not having a mentor.

There are a lot of barriers to entry when it comes to getting a pilot’s license but most can be overcome with the help of a mentor. The first time you get to the airport can be daunting enough. Engage someone who can show you the ropes. You should never feel unwelcome. It’s a friendly atmosphere when you get to know the pilots. The more you get involved with aviation, the more questions you’ll have. Choosing the right mentor can help for years to come.

4. Buying a cheap starter headset

The most often used item when you begin your flight training is a headset. You’re going to quickly find what details and features matter. I’d warn against the bargain bin used headset to save a few extra dollars. Too often we see students opt for something cheap (not the same as inexpensive) only to upgrade to a higher quality headset a short time later.

Think of the headset as an investment in your flying career and, most importantly, your hearing. If you plan on flying with this headset every time you get in the airplane, it needs to be comfortable and quiet. Only the higher end headsets come with active noise reduction technology (ANR) that actively dampens the noise around you so you don’t hear as much cockpit noise. ANR makes for a more enjoyable flight and also saves your ears from too much high frequency noise which can damage your eardrums.

Another benefit of a higher quality headset is comfort. Wearing a tight headset with noticeable clamping force for a long cross-country flight is a problem. Your head will be screaming for relief. It’s unpleasant to say the least.

Other features you’ll enjoy are soft leatherette ear seals, adjustable clamping pressure, swivel ear cups, adjustable head pads and thicker ear seals. 

5. Not flying often enough.

If you can dedicate three lessons per week, you’ll be able to knock this out with the least amount of time and the least amount of money. If you’re only flying once per week, it’s going to take a year to earn your license. To put it simply, Go! Go! Go!

With the right amount of dedication and a little luck from the weather you’ll be certified in only a matter of months. The more often you fly, the better you’ll retain the material.

As a wise older pilot once said, “Once you become a student pilot, you’re always a student pilot. You never stop learning.” We think there’s always a lesson to be learned with pilot training. That’s why we share our stories on Flight Training Central and why we encourage you to share your stories as well.

What are your thoughts on student pilot mistakes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and let us know.

Each spring in the Midwest, we anxiously await Daylight Saving Time which translates to more hours for flying. But even with the additional daylight hours and mild temperatures, each season has its advantages for flight training. If you are investigating the best season to begin your flight training, there are pros and cons for all four.

Spring
Spring in southern Ohio tends to be wet. We average just under four inches of rain from March to May. But what is different versus the Notthwest (which, in the same time period, averages about 2.3 inches of rainfall) is that Midwest rain seems to be either on or off. We will get short down bursts and then back to sunshine within minutes. The weather moves through quickly so we don’t experience long periods of time with “no fly” weather. The winds are calm in the morning, the skies are likely to be severe-clear, and the temperatures are perfect. There are plenty of rolling hills nearby with fun airports scattered throughout to make for beautiful scenic flights during the spring awakening of the surrounding forests.

Summer
Summers in Ohio average in the mid-80s which is not terribly oppressive, but the humidity can be a challenge. That said, long days and blue skies with minimal thunderstorm activity are to be expected. Summer is the busy season for flight training. Renting an airplane is more difficult because of the higher demand and the pattern is going to be busy.

Flying in our area lends itself to lunchtime flights for some of the best $100 hamburgers you can find.

Fall
Every pilot loves a good view. While the Fall can signal the end of your long summer days, the changing of the leaves in southern Ohio never grows old. I highly recommend everyone make a trip to experience the fall foliage of the Midwest at least once. The weather is cooling down with average temperatures in the 60s. Precipitation is at its lowest point of the year during the fall averaging less than nine days per month with rain.

Winter
Winter is a great time to fly. The airplanes love the cold, dry air and sunny skies warm you up in the airplane so it’s not uncomfortable. Best of all, with the shorter day, it is easier to gain night experience. All pilots need night flying to stay current or earn those minimum night flying hours for Private pilot. We also encounter less traffic and better aircraft availability. Flight training in the winter is a lesser-known trick to new pilots, but those who have flown through the season know it is a great time to fly.

What about you?

Now it’s your turn! Let your fellow pilots know where you fly and what time of year is best. Share your experience below in the comments or you can send to the editors at Student Pilot News. Email us at [email protected]. Blue skies ahead!

Mr. Tim Genc, Chief Advisor at FAPA (Future & Active Pilot Advisors) presents, Building the Pilot Pipeline. Aspiring career pilots of all ages, backgrounds, shapes and sizes will learn about the pathways to becoming a professional pilot. Access the slide deck for the presentation here.

Topics include:
• State of the aviation, specifically pilot, industry
• The path from initial training to professional pilot
• Educational advice: college, vocational flight school, or military route?
• Options to pay for your flight training and education
• The next steps necessary to launch your pilot career

Tim Genc is the Chief Advisor at FAPA and a certified flight instructor. He previously worked as Director of Pilot Recruitment at a regional airline and has interviewed thousands of professional pilot candidates. Genc hosts in-person future pilot webinars throughout the country as part of FAPA’s Pilot Job Fairs.