Learning to Fly - Top Tips
Learning to fly is an exciting adventure where you’ll discover that planning and preparation matter. Whether you aspire to earn your CPL (Commercial Pilot License) or PPL (Private Pilot License), our top tips will guide you.
Practise on the Ground
Learning to fly can be quite expensive for the average person, so taking the extra time to prepare on the ground can significantly increase your chances of success in the air. Practice or run through scenarios on the ground - a free opportunity to ensure you’re ready for your flight.
You can practice at home or even in the bathtub—wherever you find the opportunity.
Master the Flying Exercises
In the initial flying exercises, you will learn how to climb, descend, and turn—skills essential for circuit flying. Remember that in the circuit, you will perform the following sequence: take off, turn, climb, level out, and turn again while also conducting necessary checks. It’s important to master these early exercises and the overall circuit.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask
It's easy to forget that you are taking this course and training to pass a test. You're not expected to show up at the flying school knowing everything or having all the answers. You are there to learn, and you'll have a better chance of succeeding if you ask the right questions. It's important to clear up any uncertainties before your skills test, as that is not the right time to be unsure.
Bring a Positive Mental Attitude to Flying
Don't underestimate the impact of your attitude. A positive mental attitude is crucial when learning to fly. Your performance is often tied to how you think about situations and your ability to learn from mistakes, so it's important not to dwell on negative thoughts. Most importantly, be open to learning and learn from your mistakes, which will be highlighted in the debrief. Debriefs are not personal but happen at the end of each flight to help you improve for the next one.
Learn from Flying Mistakes
Students often criticise themselves whenever they make a mistake during flying training. While striving for success is commendable, it's essential to let go of past errors. Frequent worrying or apologising for mistakes is not beneficial. Instead, focus on learning from the experience and try not to repeat it.
The practice of compartmentalisation and moving on when you’ve made a mistake is especially important during skill tests. The flight examiner will consider your overall performance, so there’s no need to dwell on each error.
Find Your Own Methods
It's important to find methods that work for you personally, as everyone learns and approaches tasks in unique ways. Each individual has strengths, weaknesses, and different learning styles. For instance, if you struggle with math, you can make the Private Pilot License (PPL) math portion easier for yourself by focusing on that area regularly.
Reach Out for Assistance
Seek help beyond your flight instructor during training and grow your network. You can gain valuable insights from others who have encountered similar challenges and possess knowledge to share.
Support Fellow Students
On the other hand, if you have been flying longer than someone else, you can share your knowledge and support the aviation community. The aviation community is fantastic; you never know when you might need assistance from someone or when someone else might require your help.
Create a Handbook
Consider creating your own handbook to enhance your understanding and boost your confidence in the subject matter. Note all the reputable resources, tutorials, and guidance you have found on specific topics, such as the resources available on the Astral Aviation Consulting website. A handbook will not only benefit you but also provide valuable support to other students who may need assistance on their journey.
Pre-flight Preparation is Key
When preparing for a flight, it is crucial to create a detailed checklist of what you must do and think through every aspect of the flight, from start to finish. The more thorough your preparation, the smoother your flight will go, and you'll feel more confident knowing that you've addressed everything. This careful planning is a valuable part of the process that will enhance all your future flights.
Keep a specific process saved in your notes on your phone, or use the Pre-Flight Planning checklist on the Astral Aviation Consulting website to make sure you haven’t overlooked anything. Remember, even if you are experienced, you cannot simply jump into an aircraft and assume everything will proceed without incident.
Use the Study Guides and Read Ahead
Having a student study guide available at your school is essential, or you may consider using the APMS or the AF flight guides. Read these materials before each flight and review the upcoming exercises.
Remember that the weather on the day of your flight may affect your ability to perform the planned activities, so it's a good idea to read ahead.
Familiarise yourself with the content up to and including the first solo flight to understand your objectives. Preparation is crucial, and the Skyway Code offers excellent preparation and flight planning guidance.
Chill About the PPL Exam Questions
Don't worry about the PPL exam questions - you can't predict the answers since they change. Instead, focus on gaining a deep understanding of the material so you can logically work through any question.
Concentrate on grasping the concepts during ground school instead of just aiming to pass the exam and later forgetting everything. Strive to develop a logical approach to understanding why a system works.
We hope our top tips for learning to fly help you - let us know how you do.