Blog Elements : Flight Training Central

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

The value of right seat time

December 18, 2012/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Most of us will jump at any chance for some left seat time and another entry in the logbook. For better or for worse (mostly for worse I think), we judge pilot ability on total time. But not all your aviation experience shows up in the logbook, and not all your learning takes place in the left seat.

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

December 7, 2012/in Get Started/by Studentpltnews

Manageable Goals Makes it Fun and Keep you Focused Our extensive experience in aviation education; including more than 20 years managing our own flight school, has taught us that customers learn most effectively when the training process is divided into manageable steps. These steps or modules should build on previous information, creating a building-block approach […]

The value of right seat time

December 18, 2012/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

December 7, 2012/in Get Started/by Studentpltnews

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The value of right seat time

December 18, 2012/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Ever get asked: “How many hours do you have?”

It’s a question you’ll hear throughout your flying career, and as student pilots we’re usually hungry to add more to our total. Most of us will jump at any chance for some left seat time and another entry in the logbook. For better or for worse (mostly for worse I think), we judge pilot ability on total time.

But ask any experienced pilot and they’ll tell you: not all your aviation experience shows up in the logbook, and not all your learning takes place in the left seat. In particular, there is a lot to learn from riding in the right seat with other pilots. Some of my most memorable and educational flights were with me as co-pilot or observer, far away from the lesson plan or the pattern.

Why is right seat time so valuable?

It’s free, so you’re not rushed. When you’re paying by the hour for an airplane and instructor, it’s natural to want to be efficient. But sometimes this drive for efficiency can hurt, as you practice maneuvers in an unrealistic way or take shortcuts. When you’re not paying the bill, you can slow down and look around. And if you’re riding along on a cross country, you can get the complete flight profile–instead of simulating an approach and landing, you can see the real thing.
You’re not “on stage,” so you’re relaxed. No matter how well you get along with your flight instructor, you’re probably at least a little nervous during your flight lessons. It’s completely natural, since in a way you are performing. But just like some patients get “white coat hypertension” at the doctor’s office, not all pilots learn best under pressure. When you step back and simply watch someone else fly, you might be surprised at how easily some things sink in. We’re sometimes most open to new information when we aren’t expecting it.
You’ll get new perspectives. Seeing different pilots and airplanes fly is almost always good for your learning. For example, I had a terrible time understanding crosswind landings as a student pilot, but after a flight in the right seat of a Cessna 310 (a high performance airplane I knew nothing about), it just clicked for me. I just needed a different view of the same maneuver, with a different pilot flying. So many of the things we do as pilots are universal–they work in a Gulfstream and a 172–so don’t worry if you don’t know much about a particular airplane. It may have a lot to say.

So how do you find these opportunities for right seat time? Obviously, friends or family are great options if they are pilots. Beyond that, there’s no magic formula, but being creative and outgoing is a good place to start. Most importantly, hang around the airport and be engaged–get to know the local pilots at airport events and join aviation associations. Some pilots like to have another set of eyes as they fly, and these are great opportunities to get some right seat experience. You can help by reading checklists, helping with the preflight and even talking on the radio if you’re comfortable.

Likewise, many local pilot organizations and flying clubs have regular fly-outs to airshows or the nearby airport diner. Hitch a ride on one of these flights and offer to buy breakfast. It can be a great way to see how other pilots fly and learn about different airplanes. You might make a new friend along the way, too.

Another option that many flight schools offer is for you to ride along on a lesson with another student. This may not be “right seat” flying, but it can still be very valuable. Again, you’re not paying and you’re not on stage so you can take a more detached view of flying. Ask your flight instructor if this is allowed in your flight school.

Smart student pilots know that you can learn a lot beyond your regularly scheduled lessons. That may mean reading a book, watching a video or flying right seat with someone. Whatever it is, be creative about your flight training and never be afraid to learn from someone else.

What are your ideas for getting some right seat time? Add a comment below.

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

December 7, 2012/in Get Started/by Studentpltnews

Manageable Goals Makes it Fun and Keep you Focused

Our extensive experience in aviation education; including more than 20 years managing our own flight school, has taught us that customers learn most effectively when the training process is divided into manageable steps. These steps or modules should build on previous information, creating a building-block approach to your pilot experience that saves you time and money. Regardless of your ultimate goal, remember, everyone must solo first. So focus your efforts on this most important milestone and be open to what may come next.

In simpler times, the private license was the “gateway” certificate allowing a pilot to add “advanced degrees” such as an instrument rating as it became necessary. But now, the real requirements are greater for the private than for a commercial certificate half a century ago and for many people, simply more than what you need to do what you want to do in aviation.

A Private certificate alone may take at least 6 months and 70+ hours flying time. The journey is filled with ups and downs before you’re able to begin enjoying the fruits of your labor. Today, a more reasonable approach, and an approach more likely to result in success, is to take on the Solo first and then utilize the Recreational or Sport Pilot as the gateway certificate.

Pilot candidates pursuing these licenses learn how to control the aircraft, master simple navigation techniques, and safely take off and land on a nice afternoon. Once certified, they can show a friend their house from the air, look at the mountains, view the city, or cruise over a beach. In other words, experience the simple pleasures of flight that likely attracted most of us to aviation in the first place.

The Sport or Recreational training curriculum will help develop habits and instincts that will increase your likelihood of success in more advanced training courses and allow you to build valuable PIC experience along the way. Your total flight experience will all be credited toward your Private or Private/Instrument training so it will not create any additional barrier to your end goal and YOU decide when to proceed.

Sporty’s very own Learn to Fly Course adapts this very same philosophy. This unique resource is delivered in a three-step format: Solo, Transition to Recreational/Sport Pilot and Private Pilot. Plus, you can stop any time and enjoy the privileges of the Solo, Sport or Recreational Certificate – which means your training is more fun.

Pilot training is a very personal experience and you will need to consider how you will learn best and what best fits your long-term goals and lifestyle. There is no wrong answer of how to begin. The important first step – start flying and get to that first solo! www.LearnToFlyHere.com.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

The value of right seat time

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

The value of right seat time

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The value of right seat time

Success in Flight Training – Take it One Step at a Time

Manageable Goals Makes it Fun and Keep you Focused

Email Subscription

Recent Articles