The proud owner explained that it was a 1934 Waco S3HD--the only one of its kind still flying. I didn’t think it was possible, but my heart swelled, and I felt even more lucky to be co-piloting, let alone riding in his prized possession.

Sadly, many of the people who begin flight lessons are never able to see them through to earning a certificate. Much as the ongoing NCAA tournament that began with 68 teams is being whittled down to the final four, pilot candidates fall to the wayside for a plethora of reasons. But this article will discuss the four most common pitfalls and suggest strategies so you become a pilot rather than falling victim to these obstacles.

As a pilot and lead sales and customer experience representative at a busy flight school, I spend most of my time speaking to individuals interested in the pilot experience. And while the questions posed are mostly the same, the answers are not. Answers and solutions vary based on each person’s circumstances, but there is universal guidance to help get you started. Here are three questions I'm being asked right by with potential students.