The idea of starting flight lessons for your private pilot license is very exciting. It was my dream for many years and when my parents offered me flight lessons for my 16th birthday, I remember we suddenly started asking ourselves a lot of questions: Where to start? What are the requirements? How does the process work? The pricing is not straight-forward, so how much does it really cost? Is there anything I should learn about before starting my flight lessons?
Here are a few things I have learned along the way:
The pre-requirements. Before I could register as a flight student in the USA, I had to submit all the required documentation, get an FAA Medical Certificate, purchase a 'non-owned aircraft insurance' policy, buy a Cessna Training kit (for academic ground course), a headset, an iPad and a kneeboard. (You don't necessarily have to buy those right away, but at some point you will want to have your own equipment.) As an international student in New York, I also had to get TSA approval. Before a foreign student can train in a U.S. Aircraft or Simulator, he/she must go through the FAA fingerprinting process in the U.S. This procedure is mandated by the government through the Department of Homeland Security and TSA, via the Alien Flight School Program (AFSP). The process was pretty easy and fast, and once I had all the required documentation and approvals, I could sign the student agreement and get started.
The costs. The pricing provided on the website of your aviation school is probably just an approximate figure, so it's important to ask questions and find out what you are really paying for. Flying is expensive and there are lots of hidden costs! Therefore, make sure that you clearly express your goals and expectations. Ask what you’re paying for, so that you can manage your budget. Are they charging you for the time you’re in the air? Air time plus ground time? Are fuel charges, etc. included or added separately? Also, let your instructor know by when you'd like to get your license so that expectations are clear. You do need to be realistic though, as things like bad weather or limited availability of your instructor or the planes may impact your target date.
Gain a basic understanding of cockpit controls. You don't need to have any prior knowledge before starting your flight lessons, but you will probably feel a lot more at ease if you've already familiarized yourself a little with some of the basics. Imagine seeing all the controls in the cockpit for the first time without having the faintest idea of what they are for! That can be a pretty daunting and stressful experience. So, get a head start by looking up information on the internet and learn about things like the direction of the throttle to give you more power, what a yoke does, where to find the altimeter, etc. When you get into the plane for the first time, you’ll feel much better prepared and you’ll get more out of the lesson.
Learn the phonetic alphabet. When flying, you will need to use the phonetic alphabet. If you don't know it by heart yet, you may wish to print it out and start learning it before you start your flight lessons.
A = Alpha
B = Bravo
C = Charlie
D = Delta
E = Echo
F = Foxtrot
G = Golf
H = Hotel
I = India
J = Juliet
K = Kilo
L = Lima
M = Mike
N = November
O = Oscar
P = Papa
Q = Quebec
R = Romeo
S = Sierra
T = Tango
U = Uniform
V = Victor
W = Whiskey
X = X-Ray
Y = Yankee
Z = Zulu
Get to know your flight school and instructor before your first lesson. When I arrived for my first lesson I remember feeling a bit lost. I didn't know who to address myself to, what to do or where to go. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
Keep checklists. When you start your flight lessons, you will have to process lots of information and chances are high that you will forget some important steps. Pilots use checklists to help them during pre-flight, flight, landing, and more. You can find some online and you can use them to orient yourself with.
Relax and enjoy. Flight lessons can be a little stressful at the beginning, as you struggle to remember all the information and feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility when you fly. But remember to enjoy the experience. Your flight instructor is there to guide you and teach you all you need to know. Relax, appreciate the views, and be proud of your accomplishments!
Keep up the good work Noah
Great info, Noah! All that sounds right except I would leave the iPad behind until after you get your certificate. the time do this is when you are young—you will have a lifelong skill and passion that people rarely pick up later in life!
However, with apologies to Yoda, there…is…another…
way to get your ppl! My son is doing his primary training in a glider, which is much simpler from both a regulatory and technical standpoint. There are disadvantages: gliderports are generally less accessible, at a club, the most cost effective way to train, you might only get one or two flights in after spending a few hours there, and of course, when you’re done, it will still have t…
Good to know.
Very useful info! Thanks