As we get older, most of us get worse at being a student—no matter what the subject. The first 20 years of life are filled with classes, tests, and homework, so we’re used to absorbing new information and occasionally stumbling on our path to mastery. The typical 45-65 year old, on the other hand, likely hasn’t been in a formal educational setting in a long time. It can feel uncomfortable or even embarrassing to make a mistake or confess, “I don’t know.” After all, you’re used to being the expert.
This difference in mindset has been reinforced for me recently, as I’ve become a student again, this time of music. After years of thinking about it, I finally took up the violin. Much like flying, this process has been exciting, challenging, occasionally frustrating, but mostly very satisfying. I’ve kept a learning journal (a trick I learned from flight training, of course), and in reviewing this, I noticed some lessons that apply to any later-in-life student.
So if you’re considering learning to fly after your 40th birthday (or your 60th—you really aren’t too old to start), remember these tips.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions even if it feels awkward.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re a successful engineer, doctor, or teacher, you are used to knowing the answers and leading the discussion. This might make you nervous about asking questions of your instructor, especially if they are younger than you (which is often the case in aviation). Ignore those nerves and ask away, even if you think you’ll sound stupid.
This is easier said than done, but I found it helpful to tell my violin teacher up front: “I’m going to ask a ton of questions, some of which may sound ridiculous; I hope you’ll appreciate my willingness to learn.” This set the tone early and has yielded great results. Most instructors love a curious student.
So if you’re wondering what the heck a magneto is or why there’s no Class F airspace, don’t hold back. Don’t assume it doesn’t matter. Don’t assume every other student pilot knows these topics better than you do. Have the curiosity of a first grader, and keep asking questions.
Don’t get frustrated. Learning to fly isn’t easy, but it’s not supposed to be—that’s why it’s so rewarding when you earn that certificate. Acknowledge up front that you will have both good and bad days during training, and don’t beat yourself up after every mistake. I like to take a two week moving average of my performance, which prevents me from getting too high after a great lesson or too low after a really bad one.
If you feel like you’re in a rut, and that two week moving average isn’t good, by all means talk to your instructor. Don’t be afraid to mix things up if the current plan isn’t working, but don’t expect perfection. You may be used to success, but one of the great lessons of flight training is to remain humble and never get too comfortable. That’s not failure, that’s growth.
Invest in the instructor relationship. One-on-one learning depends on the student and instructor much more than the textbook or the technology. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with your CFI, but don’t be purely transactional. You should take a few moments to understand who they are as a person: what is their teaching style, their likes and dislikes, and their unique style? Do your part as the student to share your personality and your learning preferences. If you both understand each other and work on the learning process as a partnership, you’ll learn more, be more efficient, and have more fun.
Your most important learning happens in between lessons, without an instructor there, so be diligent about carving out time for regular studying.
Have a plan to always be studying or practicing. Here’s one I have learned time and time again with music, and it’s every bit as true for aviation. Your most important learning happens in between lessons, without an instructor there, so be diligent about carving out time for regular studying. Whether it’s watching videos online, reading the FAA textbooks, replaying your most recent flight with an app, or flying a simulator at home, you should try to do something aviation-related every 2-3 days. There are more options than ever before, so there’s no excuse for going weeks between aviation learning sessions, even if your formal flight lessons are canceled due to weather.
Learning to fly is really up to you as the student, and lessons are best viewed as periodic check-ins to fix mistakes and learn new skills. Self-directed learning like this takes commitment, so don’t wait for a time when nothing is going on to study; build it into your day-to-day life in a very intentional way. Get help from your spouse or friends if needed—this is a great way to have someone else keep you honest.
Remember why you’re doing it. If you’re learning to fly later in life, it’s probably because you want to have fun or achieve a lifelong dream, so stay focused on your ultimate goal. Sure, everyone has to pass the same FAA tests, but notice which parts you enjoy most and make sure you learn those skills. Is it about traveling to faraway places? Then make sure you’re really learning how to travel cross-country. Is it about fun flights in taildraggers to grass runways? Then don’t get too bogged down in the details of turbocharging systems and glass cockpits. You want to become a safe and confident pilot, but you also want to be ready for your unique mission after the checkride, whatever that might be. Communicate those goals to your flight instructor early on.
The differences in mindset between younger and older students don’t have to spell doom. In fact, there are some real advantages that come with maturity. Older adults are typically highly motivated and they often know themselves better, so they understand how to achieve their goals. They have other life experiences to draw on and more refined decision-making skills. Play to those strengths by customizing your training plan to fit your personality and by working smarter with your schedule.
You can teach an old dog new tricks. We see it every month in our flight school, and there’s no reason you can’t join the club.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/05171111/flight-instructor-with-student-ground-lesson.jpg505900John Zimmermanhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngJohn Zimmerman2024-05-31 08:55:252024-05-30 13:22:51Starting flight training later in life: some tips for success
Home flight simulation technology has made impressive leaps forward over the past 10 years. With Microsoft’s release of the latest version of their simulator program in late 2020 and Laminar Research finalizing testing on X-Plane 12 in early 2023, we finally have at-home flight simulation real enough to provide tangible benefits to those who are currently in flight training or already hold a pilot’s license. This realism does come with a warning: unstructured or “game” flying can detract from your actual flight lessons or skill set. Here are some things to consider when using a home simulator setup.
Hardware setup considerations – There are many choices to make to determine your home setup; Yoke, joystick, rudders, control panels, avionics, etc. The key to making this setup work is your comfort. Having a system that you feel comfortable working with is the best place to start. Keep in mind that some setups can get fairly expensive, and although this adds realism, it isn’t necessary to get the most basic learning functions out of the simulators. For those working with aircraft that use a standard yoke setup such as a Cessna Skyhawk or Piper Cherokee, we encourage yoke and rudder pedals as a basic equipment package to train with. If you’re training in a Diamond DA20 or the nostalgic Piper Cub, we recommend a flight stick and pedals.
Software choices – The Microsoft Flight Simulator program released in August of 2020 took the flight sim community by storm. In sixteen days the program logged one million unique users with over one billion (digital) miles flown. Microsoft’s user interface and ease of operation make it a phenomenal program for new simmers. If you are inclined to learn a more detailed program with added features, X-Plane 12 has a great reputation for flight simulation realism. The aerodynamics and avionics logic allow this program to run on a few Basic Aviation Training Devices (BATDs). There are many other programs available on the market that range from highly sophisticated to near game-only level. Regardless of your choice, learn what the program can and can’t do and carry that into your training. (For more, watch our MSFS 2020 overview, and X-Plane 12 overview)
Training structure – This is the largest piece to transform your simulator into a true training machine. There are several strategies (see below), but regardless of which method you choose, make sure that each time you approach your simulator you treat it as an airplane and not a toy. Each flight should have a specific objective or purpose in mind. By adhering to this level of structure, you are able to take the lessons learned in the simulation world and translate them to the actual aircraft.
Feedback – If you fly your simulator and then observe your performance, either with an automatic scoring/evaluation system built into some systems or with recording and replaying your flights, you can act as both student and examiner. While you are flying, it is easy to miss deviations in performance (altitude, airspeed, centerline tracking, etc.), but if you replay your flight, you can distance yourself from your performance and observe with an objective eye.
Realistic controls can make a big difference.
Earlier I mentioned training structure and different ideas of how to give your flying time structure while at home. Each system has its different options for reviewing your flying, but the best way to truly structure your training is to work from a syllabus designed for home simulator flying. Examples include a resource such as Scenario-Based Training with X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator by Bruce Williams, or similar books and syllabi. These products are specifically designed to give you a purpose for your lesson at home, and allow the most amount of positive transfer of learning from simulator to aircraft. For additional training tips, click here.
In addition to these training products, sometimes the best resource for your home simulator is your flight instructor. Talk to your CFI and inform them that you have a home simulator and you want to make the best use of it by practicing your lessons at home to review and prepare for your in-aircraft lessons. Although CFIs have different views on how best to use home simulators, most instructors will support its use when using the procedures and techniques taught from the aircraft. It can be difficult to make a breakthrough while learning on your own, but keeping your skills sharp and practicing your homework between lessons will definitely accelerate those breakthroughs with your instructor in the airplane.
For those pilots who already hold a license, the structure used in the simulator world can be more relaxed, provided that you continue to use your in-aircraft procedures when flying your sim. I recommend pilots stay sharp by flying their home simulators like they fly their aircraft, including full checklist usage, simulated radio calls, and airport traffic procedures. Many pilots will use home simulators to remain instrument current with procedures and scan techniques, but basic VFR skills can also be kept sharp by the same process of practicing on the ground and then using the aircraft to fill in the “experience” gap. In particular, failures or emergency procedures that are not often practiced in flight can be very beneficial when exercised in the home simulator setup. Review your POH and emergency checklist for ideas to practice at home.
Instrument currency is an obvious item to practice at home for instrument pilots. The very nature of IFR flying dictates a procedure mentality instead of a feel/look mentality. Although approaches done on a non-certified system do not count towards the required FAA 61.57 recency of experience requirements, the act of practicing approaches can still be very beneficial to keep your IFR procedures sharp and your instrument scan from getting rusty.
I encourage students to run through a simulated flight using their own navigation, as opposed to just placing the aircraft already lined up on the final approach course and completing the final approach segment to the missed approach point. By running the simulation through from beginning to end, the instrument pilot is forced to set up radios, brief the full instrument procedure and contemplate a full instrument approach, including course reversal in some cases, as opposed to the easier vectors-to-final option. Don’t forget to simulate going missed and entering that hold to maintain your skills.
Flying in your simulator will not recreate the muscle memory and “feel” of flying the real aircraft, but your practice of procedures and techniques can be just as real at home as it is in the plane, making your next flight an even better experience.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/31113646/b1908_scene_nick_web-4.jpg560560Chris McGoneglehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngChris McGonegle2024-05-30 08:55:002024-05-30 13:21:15Home Simulator Flying and Flight Training
Landing an airplane is one of the most challenging, yet satisfying tasks you’ll learn to master on your path towards becoming a private pilot. This week’s tip shows how to fly a stabilized final approach and help you visualize the steps necessary to transition from the roundout and flare to the touchdown.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/05175223/Normal-Landings-Video-Tip-YT.jpg10801920Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngBret Koebbe2024-05-29 08:55:272024-05-28 09:17:50Video tip: how to land an airplane
Sitting in the flight deck during the cruise portion of any flight may have a tendency to become monotonous. But as the destination traffic pattern approaches, workload increases dramatically. A firm understanding of the proper terminal area procedures is essential for staying safe as you depart or approach the airport. Use this quiz to test your flying knowledge of airport traffic patterns, landing directions and appropriate techniques for operating around the airport.
The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach ends of the runway indicate that the runway is orientated approximately
Correct!Wrong!
If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on
Correct!Wrong!
The recommended entry position to an airport traffic pattern is
Correct!Wrong!
The segmented circle indicates that a landing on Runway 26 will be with a
Correct!Wrong!
Which approach and landing objective is assured when the pilot remains on the proper glidepath of the VASI?
Correct!Wrong!
How can a military airport be identified at night?
Correct!Wrong!
To set pilot-controlled runway lights on medium intensity, the pilot should click the microphone
Correct!Wrong!
VFR approaches to land at night should be accomplished
Correct!Wrong!
Who has final authority to accept or decline any land and hold short (LAHSO) clearance?
Correct!Wrong!
VASI lights as shown in this illustration indicate that the airplane is
Learning to fly was a challenging journey, but that’s part of the intrigue. I’m no longer a student – hello PIC time. Of course, all pilots are still “students,” because a good pilot is always learning; however, in the eyes of the FAA, I’m a Recreational pilot and that feels good to say.
Following the checkride, I totaled all the money I spent on training to discover it was $50 less than what the flight school manager had estimated at the beginning. When pilots talk about hitting the numbers, it usually refers to spot landings, but this was equally impressive.
How did I do it?
The secret is that I didn’t wait until my training was complete to total up my bills. I monitored my expenses and progress and used that information to gauge my pace. When my instructor turned to me and said, “You’re just about ready to take your test, we could sharpen up a few maneuvers, but I think you’ll be ready,” I had no doubt that I could afford the additional refinement because I knew my training was tracking under budget.
I didn’t view this “pre-checkride” as the time to pinch pennies. Instead, I found that possessing the added confidence before my checkride was worth triple the cost of one more lesson. Trust me, when you’re face to face with your examiner (DPE), you’ll be thankful for every second spent on training. When you set aside time and/or money for your flight training, my advice is to use every bit!
This is the part of my chronicle that’s going to sound like a commercial but honestly, we test every product Sporty’s sells. That’s why I was confident in using the online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course for my ground school, flight prep and knowledge test preparation.
I was confident in using the online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course for my ground school, flight prep and knowledge test preparation.
Personal study at home was where I mastered the majority of the material. When I met with my instructor, I brought specific questions and topics that required further explanation. It made our time together much more valuable and efficient. Without the material in the Learn To Fly Course, I predict I would have easily spent 40-50% more on my training.
It’s not my intention to make this sound like biased marketing material since, as previously disclosed, I work at Sporty’s. But I am making a sincere effort to speak to my fellow pilots as one who has been through the process and perhaps has some insightful tips for other students working toward their goal of becoming a pilot.
Here’s my list of most useful tools to reach my goal on budget.
I spent my down time talking with other students, instructors and pilots about their experiences and just making friends.
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. The training videos easily and clearly communicate the topics for each lesson. The interactive ACS with links to the video content is a lifesaver; I mean time-saver. My favorite feature of Course was the written test prep module with learning, flashcard, and practice test modes. These tools make it easy to prepare for your written exam.
Pilot Community. I spent my down time talking with other students, instructors and pilots about their experiences and just making friends. If you are not around other pilots frequently, you are at a disadvantage. Ask for help and you will receive it.
Safe, affordable airplane. I made use of an older model Cessna 172 Skyhawk – a re-manufactured version of the 172M/N model. The airplane I flew rented for about 20% less than the newer Skyhawk models. There was no fancy GPS and no extra instruments and I didn’t need that. It was a training platform designed to get students familiar with the basics and not overwhelm them with unnecessary information. I highly recommend using the least expensive airplane you can access. A Garmin G1000 is nice, but I’m saving hundreds of dollars by training without one and can make a transition at some point in the future.
Home study. Put down the gaming system and cancel Netflix (temporarily). You have to use your time at home diligently to hit your goals. You must commit your spare time to flight training so that you spend less time and money relearning the material with your instructor.
I’m happy to finally be able to write this for other student pilots that are starting, in the middle or restarting their training. I know how long of a journey it can be but it is well worth the time to become a licensed pilot. So from one pilot to another, blue skies ahead and keep flying.
If you have any comments or questions for me about my training please write them below and I’ll be happy to reply!
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/05181856/jcsolo.jpg10801440JC Mayerlehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/05155154/FTC-logo-horizontal-fianl.pngJC Mayerle2024-05-27 09:00:382024-05-27 09:14:15How I hit my flight training budget within $50
Why I fly
/in Having fun, Personal stories/by Charlie MastersWhy do I fly those little planes anyway?
They asked wouldn’t I rather ride in a big airliner,
Or use my money to buy an RV and maybe hire a driver?
So it made me ponder,
Why do I choose to sit in a seat in the sky way up yonder?
Well there are many reasons as my list I begin,
Too many to count, but here is my top ten.
To get from here to there
No orange barrels or blue lights will I see.
My number 10 reason?
To get from point A to point B!
Smooth water landing on a lake,
Dropping anchor, wetting a line.
My seaplane certificate is lots of fun,
And my reason number nine.
Is reason number eight.
It’s probably easier for skinny people
Than someone my weight!
Number 7? “Yeah, I’m a pilot”
I told the girl in the bar.
Now we are married
A pilot’s license can take you that far!
I have learned problem solving,
Getting me and the airplane out of a fix.
I use those skills every day,
So that is reason number six.
Going out to hone skills – that’s fun!
And might someday save my life.
Those maneuvers take practice
And as controllers say – that’s number “fife.”
Need I say more?
The world’s biggest airshow
Is reason number four.
To feel like a bird
Flying high and free.
Phonetically speaking
That is reason number “tree”!
For why I’m a fan.
It is said the time spent flying
Is not deducted from my lifespan.
Looking at the ground from the sky
Has changed me forever I’ve found.
And is the number one reason I fly,
As I look at the sky from the ground.
Starting flight training later in life: some tips for success
/in Get Started, Tips and technique/by John ZimmermanAs we get older, most of us get worse at being a student—no matter what the subject. The first 20 years of life are filled with classes, tests, and homework, so we’re used to absorbing new information and occasionally stumbling on our path to mastery. The typical 45-65 year old, on the other hand, likely hasn’t been in a formal educational setting in a long time. It can feel uncomfortable or even embarrassing to make a mistake or confess, “I don’t know.” After all, you’re used to being the expert.
This difference in mindset has been reinforced for me recently, as I’ve become a student again, this time of music. After years of thinking about it, I finally took up the violin. Much like flying, this process has been exciting, challenging, occasionally frustrating, but mostly very satisfying. I’ve kept a learning journal (a trick I learned from flight training, of course), and in reviewing this, I noticed some lessons that apply to any later-in-life student.
So if you’re considering learning to fly after your 40th birthday (or your 60th—you really aren’t too old to start), remember these tips.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions even if it feels awkward.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re a successful engineer, doctor, or teacher, you are used to knowing the answers and leading the discussion. This might make you nervous about asking questions of your instructor, especially if they are younger than you (which is often the case in aviation). Ignore those nerves and ask away, even if you think you’ll sound stupid.
This is easier said than done, but I found it helpful to tell my violin teacher up front: “I’m going to ask a ton of questions, some of which may sound ridiculous; I hope you’ll appreciate my willingness to learn.” This set the tone early and has yielded great results. Most instructors love a curious student.
So if you’re wondering what the heck a magneto is or why there’s no Class F airspace, don’t hold back. Don’t assume it doesn’t matter. Don’t assume every other student pilot knows these topics better than you do. Have the curiosity of a first grader, and keep asking questions.
Don’t get frustrated. Learning to fly isn’t easy, but it’s not supposed to be—that’s why it’s so rewarding when you earn that certificate. Acknowledge up front that you will have both good and bad days during training, and don’t beat yourself up after every mistake. I like to take a two week moving average of my performance, which prevents me from getting too high after a great lesson or too low after a really bad one.
If you feel like you’re in a rut, and that two week moving average isn’t good, by all means talk to your instructor. Don’t be afraid to mix things up if the current plan isn’t working, but don’t expect perfection. You may be used to success, but one of the great lessons of flight training is to remain humble and never get too comfortable. That’s not failure, that’s growth.
Invest in the instructor relationship. One-on-one learning depends on the student and instructor much more than the textbook or the technology. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with your CFI, but don’t be purely transactional. You should take a few moments to understand who they are as a person: what is their teaching style, their likes and dislikes, and their unique style? Do your part as the student to share your personality and your learning preferences. If you both understand each other and work on the learning process as a partnership, you’ll learn more, be more efficient, and have more fun.
Your most important learning happens in between lessons, without an instructor there, so be diligent about carving out time for regular studying.
Have a plan to always be studying or practicing. Here’s one I have learned time and time again with music, and it’s every bit as true for aviation. Your most important learning happens in between lessons, without an instructor there, so be diligent about carving out time for regular studying. Whether it’s watching videos online, reading the FAA textbooks, replaying your most recent flight with an app, or flying a simulator at home, you should try to do something aviation-related every 2-3 days. There are more options than ever before, so there’s no excuse for going weeks between aviation learning sessions, even if your formal flight lessons are canceled due to weather.
Learning to fly is really up to you as the student, and lessons are best viewed as periodic check-ins to fix mistakes and learn new skills. Self-directed learning like this takes commitment, so don’t wait for a time when nothing is going on to study; build it into your day-to-day life in a very intentional way. Get help from your spouse or friends if needed—this is a great way to have someone else keep you honest.
Remember why you’re doing it. If you’re learning to fly later in life, it’s probably because you want to have fun or achieve a lifelong dream, so stay focused on your ultimate goal. Sure, everyone has to pass the same FAA tests, but notice which parts you enjoy most and make sure you learn those skills. Is it about traveling to faraway places? Then make sure you’re really learning how to travel cross-country. Is it about fun flights in taildraggers to grass runways? Then don’t get too bogged down in the details of turbocharging systems and glass cockpits. You want to become a safe and confident pilot, but you also want to be ready for your unique mission after the checkride, whatever that might be. Communicate those goals to your flight instructor early on.
The differences in mindset between younger and older students don’t have to spell doom. In fact, there are some real advantages that come with maturity. Older adults are typically highly motivated and they often know themselves better, so they understand how to achieve their goals. They have other life experiences to draw on and more refined decision-making skills. Play to those strengths by customizing your training plan to fit your personality and by working smarter with your schedule.
You can teach an old dog new tricks. We see it every month in our flight school, and there’s no reason you can’t join the club.
Home Simulator Flying and Flight Training
/in Tips and technique/by Chris McGonegleHome flight simulation technology has made impressive leaps forward over the past 10 years. With Microsoft’s release of the latest version of their simulator program in late 2020 and Laminar Research finalizing testing on X-Plane 12 in early 2023, we finally have at-home flight simulation real enough to provide tangible benefits to those who are currently in flight training or already hold a pilot’s license. This realism does come with a warning: unstructured or “game” flying can detract from your actual flight lessons or skill set. Here are some things to consider when using a home simulator setup.
Realistic controls can make a big difference.
Earlier I mentioned training structure and different ideas of how to give your flying time structure while at home. Each system has its different options for reviewing your flying, but the best way to truly structure your training is to work from a syllabus designed for home simulator flying. Examples include a resource such as Scenario-Based Training with X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator by Bruce Williams, or similar books and syllabi. These products are specifically designed to give you a purpose for your lesson at home, and allow the most amount of positive transfer of learning from simulator to aircraft. For additional training tips, click here.
In addition to these training products, sometimes the best resource for your home simulator is your flight instructor. Talk to your CFI and inform them that you have a home simulator and you want to make the best use of it by practicing your lessons at home to review and prepare for your in-aircraft lessons. Although CFIs have different views on how best to use home simulators, most instructors will support its use when using the procedures and techniques taught from the aircraft. It can be difficult to make a breakthrough while learning on your own, but keeping your skills sharp and practicing your homework between lessons will definitely accelerate those breakthroughs with your instructor in the airplane.
For those pilots who already hold a license, the structure used in the simulator world can be more relaxed, provided that you continue to use your in-aircraft procedures when flying your sim. I recommend pilots stay sharp by flying their home simulators like they fly their aircraft, including full checklist usage, simulated radio calls, and airport traffic procedures. Many pilots will use home simulators to remain instrument current with procedures and scan techniques, but basic VFR skills can also be kept sharp by the same process of practicing on the ground and then using the aircraft to fill in the “experience” gap. In particular, failures or emergency procedures that are not often practiced in flight can be very beneficial when exercised in the home simulator setup. Review your POH and emergency checklist for ideas to practice at home.
Instrument currency is an obvious item to practice at home for instrument pilots. The very nature of IFR flying dictates a procedure mentality instead of a feel/look mentality. Although approaches done on a non-certified system do not count towards the required FAA 61.57 recency of experience requirements, the act of practicing approaches can still be very beneficial to keep your IFR procedures sharp and your instrument scan from getting rusty.
I encourage students to run through a simulated flight using their own navigation, as opposed to just placing the aircraft already lined up on the final approach course and completing the final approach segment to the missed approach point. By running the simulation through from beginning to end, the instrument pilot is forced to set up radios, brief the full instrument procedure and contemplate a full instrument approach, including course reversal in some cases, as opposed to the easier vectors-to-final option. Don’t forget to simulate going missed and entering that hold to maintain your skills.
Flying in your simulator will not recreate the muscle memory and “feel” of flying the real aircraft, but your practice of procedures and techniques can be just as real at home as it is in the plane, making your next flight an even better experience.
Video tip: how to land an airplane
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeLanding an airplane is one of the most challenging, yet satisfying tasks you’ll learn to master on your path towards becoming a private pilot. This week’s tip shows how to fly a stabilized final approach and help you visualize the steps necessary to transition from the roundout and flare to the touchdown.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s complete Learn to Fly Course.
Quiz: Flying The Traffic Pattern
/in Quiz/by Chris ClarkeSitting in the flight deck during the cruise portion of any flight may have a tendency to become monotonous. But as the destination traffic pattern approaches, workload increases dramatically. A firm understanding of the proper terminal area procedures is essential for staying safe as you depart or approach the airport. Use this quiz to test your flying knowledge of airport traffic patterns, landing directions and appropriate techniques for operating around the airport.
Share the quiz to show your results !
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Want to learn more about aviation weather theory? Check out Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course for more in-depth training on this subject.
How I hit my flight training budget within $50
/in Personal stories/by JC MayerleMe on checkride day with my instructor, Kurtis.
Learning to fly was a challenging journey, but that’s part of the intrigue. I’m no longer a student – hello PIC time. Of course, all pilots are still “students,” because a good pilot is always learning; however, in the eyes of the FAA, I’m a Recreational pilot and that feels good to say.
Following the checkride, I totaled all the money I spent on training to discover it was $50 less than what the flight school manager had estimated at the beginning. When pilots talk about hitting the numbers, it usually refers to spot landings, but this was equally impressive.
How did I do it?
The secret is that I didn’t wait until my training was complete to total up my bills. I monitored my expenses and progress and used that information to gauge my pace. When my instructor turned to me and said, “You’re just about ready to take your test, we could sharpen up a few maneuvers, but I think you’ll be ready,” I had no doubt that I could afford the additional refinement because I knew my training was tracking under budget.
I didn’t view this “pre-checkride” as the time to pinch pennies. Instead, I found that possessing the added confidence before my checkride was worth triple the cost of one more lesson. Trust me, when you’re face to face with your examiner (DPE), you’ll be thankful for every second spent on training. When you set aside time and/or money for your flight training, my advice is to use every bit!
This is the part of my chronicle that’s going to sound like a commercial but honestly, we test every product Sporty’s sells. That’s why I was confident in using the online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course for my ground school, flight prep and knowledge test preparation.
I was confident in using the online Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course for my ground school, flight prep and knowledge test preparation.
Personal study at home was where I mastered the majority of the material. When I met with my instructor, I brought specific questions and topics that required further explanation. It made our time together much more valuable and efficient. Without the material in the Learn To Fly Course, I predict I would have easily spent 40-50% more on my training.
It’s not my intention to make this sound like biased marketing material since, as previously disclosed, I work at Sporty’s. But I am making a sincere effort to speak to my fellow pilots as one who has been through the process and perhaps has some insightful tips for other students working toward their goal of becoming a pilot.
Here’s my list of most useful tools to reach my goal on budget.
I spent my down time talking with other students, instructors and pilots about their experiences and just making friends.
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. The training videos easily and clearly communicate the topics for each lesson. The interactive ACS with links to the video content is a lifesaver; I mean time-saver. My favorite feature of Course was the written test prep module with learning, flashcard, and practice test modes. These tools make it easy to prepare for your written exam.
I’m happy to finally be able to write this for other student pilots that are starting, in the middle or restarting their training. I know how long of a journey it can be but it is well worth the time to become a licensed pilot. So from one pilot to another, blue skies ahead and keep flying.
If you have any comments or questions for me about my training please write them below and I’ll be happy to reply!