New Pilots / Rusty Pilots / Training

NEW PILOTS

Just starting out? Well, there is a lot to think about and a lot of questions. What do I study, what do I need to bring, how can I prepare, and so on. Here are things you should consider and should help you prepare to enter the world of flying.

• Articles (in general) lower on the page.
• First, get a medical.  Don't spend money on flights if you can't get a medical.  For the most part, they're pretty easy to attain.  If you're in the Colorado Springs area, Dr Limoge has a very easy-to-use webpage for scheduling.
• Info to read early on (these are all free)…
• ACS - Airmen Certification Standards.  This is what you're 'graded' against during your checkride.  Start perusing it early.  And it's totally free at the FAA.
• Airplane Flying Handbook
• Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)
• Make an account at IACRA
• Next to the "LOGIN" button click "Register".
• Click "Applicant" and then the "Agree to TOS and Continue" button
• Fill out your data and click the "Register" button
• Don't forget your password or your FTN
• You will use IACRA for all other ratings in your flying career.
• Mentality / Attitude: see My Morsels on training.
• Charts (maps).  Most GA (general aviation) flying is done using 'sectionals'. You should know what a sectional is.
• The reality...you can go with paper or electronic products. However, the paper product cycle is now 56 days, so I recommend going electronic.  This is the "EFB" or electronic flight bag. Unfortunately, expect to have a paper product for your checkride - this is really examiner dependent.  Read more in "mobile device" below.
• Internet! Use it!  Search any and all things you have questions about. Just make sure you cross reference things you learn with reality. The internet has plenty of non-reality.
• Equipment / Tools:
• Flight bag: (don't overspend, just designate a bag/backpack to flying)
• Headset: lots of options. My recommendation is NEVER buy the lowest grade - regardless of the brand, buy middle or higher.
• Noise cancelling?  Personally, I rarely use it.  I have high-end headsets (Lightspeed, Bose, and David Clark, and in all cases, I don't use noise canceling).  I like hearing what's going on around me.
• Mobile device (phone or tablet)
• Here's where many people make a big assumption.  They say why.  They're implying to be used as an EFB (Electronic Flight Bag).  I highly support and EFB  (Foreflight, FltPlan Go, Garmin, etc.).
• Furthermore, if you haven't used any EFB, I highly suggest FltPlan Go. First of all, it truly free and if you haven't used another EFB, you won't know the difference.  Use it!
• Kneeboard (just search it and get any one with a clip)
• Kneeboards are great for holding your checklist (or other docs) and for taking notes. When you watch your instructor take notes from the AWOS, ASOS, ATIS, you'll wish you had some paper.
• This is what I use which is stupidly overpriced but welcome to aviation.
• Charts/Flight Computer/Logs (this is an overreach comment).
• Charts:  if you adopt an EFB, the charts will be taken care of
• You can take care of all your chart issues by using an EFB.
• Flight computers. Normally this is in reference to an E6B. I pray this will eventually go away, but until it does, get the cheapest one you can - usually made of paper.
• Food and hydration
• When you're flying, you're almost always dehydrated by default.
• Bring snacks and bring water!
• Fuel dipper/tester/sumper
• Your choice.  If you rent aircraft, it is usually in the airplane.
• Note - dippers may only work for certain aircraft.
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat/Glove/Layers
• The climate changes rapidly as you ascend into the sky - or you could fly to a destination where the weather is decidedly different from your departure airport. How do I address it?  Dress to egress!  In other words, if you had to land without an engine, are you ready for it?
• So You’ve started flight training - Flight Tools. (Flying Mag).

Articles / Other perspectives / Opinions:

• 3 basics to INSTANTLY impress your flight instructor. (vid).
• 3 pilot hacks to keep your cockpit organized. (Sporty's vid).
• 4 ways to start your flight training right now.
• 5 causes of learning plateaus, and how to solve them.
• 5 common student pilot errors on the ground. (MzeroA Vid).
• 5 mistakes every student pilot makes at least once. 
• 5 things you learn in your first 50 hours of instructing.
• 5 tips to make your flight lessons more efficient.
• 6 bad habits to avoid as a student pilot.
• 6 things student pilots do better than experienced pilots.
• 7 questions you should be ready for on your checkride.
• 7 tips to get ready for your next training flight.
• 8 ways to prepare for flight training today.
• 9 common mistakes every student pilot makes.
• 9 first steps to becoming a pilot (Rod Machado).
• 9 hardest parts about flight training.
• 9 training tips for every student pilot.
• 10 apps for student pilots.
• 10 things you should do when flying with an instructor or the first time.
• Advice to young pilots pursuing an aviation career. (Machado).
• BAD INSTRUCTORS: how they behave and why you should know.
• Choosing a study course for students. (NAFI).
• E6B flight computer - how to use it. Free King course.
• Flight training frustrations.
• Fundamental Series. Excellent resource by MzeroA.
• How to be a low-time pilot (but not behave like one). (Vid).
• How to sabotage your flight training. (Machado).
• My Morsels on training.
• Private pilot's license breakdown (Complete process by FPT)
• Ready for flight school? Here are 5 ways to get started today.
• Solo:
• 5 tips for your first solo flight (Thrust Flight vid).
• 8 Signs you're ready to fly solo.
• Things flight instructors taught me which were wrong!
• Top 5 pieces of advice for new pilots. (Thrust Flight Academy)

EFB (Electronic Flight Bag): see Systems/Equipment.

GROUND SCHOOL:

• King Schools - free courses.
• Machado’s Private Pilot Ground School Syllabus - FREE.

KNOWLEDGE CHECK / QUIZZES:

• 20 questions to test your aviation knowledge. 2020, 2021, 2022.
• What are the 4 lights to the right of the runway... 5Qs.
• What is the universal aircraft… 6Qs.

PROFICIENCY: See training below.

RETURNING / RUSTY PILOTS:

• 6 things you can do to knock the rust off before flying again. (bm).
• A road map for rusty student pilots. (GA News)
• GA "Type Rating" for airline pilots. (NAFI).
• Proficiency: Returning to Flight. (AOPA).
• The middle age aviator. (Machado).
• TOP 5 ‘Don’t Get Rusty’ webinars.
• What's the best way to get back into the cockpit? (Vid 3).
• Why we make excuses not to fly. (Machado).

RENTING AIRCRAFT:

• Renting an airplane? 8 things you should always check.

TRAINING:

• 4 differences of learning to fly a high wing vs. low wing aircraft.
• 4 ways to make the most of your next flight lesson.
• 5 skills you can improve for your next flight.
• 5 tips to make your flight lessons more efficient.
• 6 maneuvers you should practice on your next flight.
• 6 things to learn from the best commercial pilots.
• 6 ways to get the most out of your flight training.
• 6 ways to help someone become a pilot.
• 8 ways to keep your flight training costs under control.
• 10 skills VFR pilots can learn from IFR pilots.
• Airlines / ATP
• 7 questions to prep for an airline interview (bm) 
• 15 HR questions to expect during airline interviews (bm)
• ATP - Notes I used to prep (also for airline interviews)
• How to fold your airline shirt so it looks great and fits any bag.
• Pilot’s guide to ATP certification.
• Transitioning to the airlines - Part I and Part II.
• AOPA Training
• FAA Training.
• Flight Training Central. Great resource.
• How to pick the best flight school for you.
• Instrument rating, how to get it and why you should.
• Learning well is an acquired skill!
• Multiengine Training / Transition: see Multiengine.
• Pilot Training Workshops (free from Pilotedge)
• Proficiency (VFR), what matters: better landings. (Air Facts).
• Transition Training:
• 8 things to consider when transitioning to a new plane.
• GA "Type Rating" for airline pilots. (NAFI).
• Multiengine Training / Transition: see Multiengine.
• Transitioning, the basics of. (Gen Av News)
• Transitioning to other airplanes: A simple mistake. (AOPA)

- FIG -