How to Learn to Fly

Flying is one of the great universal dreams. Who hasn't imagined the
thrill of peaceful, effortless flight? The good news is that learning to fly
is more accessible than you think. Instructors, flight schools and airports
are readily available in much of the world. Your initial goal is to
qualify for a private pilot's certificate (license) for single-engine planes.

Instructions

1. Create a budget. Costs include fees for classroom instruction, flight instruction and airplane usage. Figure on about $6,000 to learn how to solo within a year of beginning. You will need to pay for about 30 hours of instructor time and 50 hours of airplane time. Your costs are likely to go up, due to the need for increased instruction time, if you take an extended break during your training.

2. Train in the type of airplane that you will eventually be flying on your own. Otherwise, you'll need to immediately get checked out in another plane once the licensing process is complete. For example, if you want to take friends on a weekend flight, make sure you do some training in a four-seater, not just a two-seater.

3. Evaluate your time commitments. You will need to devote time to both classroom instruction and flying time. If your schedule is already busy, wait until you can clear up more free time. An intensive period of instruction is far more effective than scheduling lessons with long breaks in between. Try to fly at least once per week.

4. Research flight schools. The phone book is a good starting point, but also talk to friends and colleagues who fly. Visit several schools and look around. Ask questions until you have a clear picture of the instruction process, costs and type of airplane that will be available to you.

5. Verify that the instruction schedule fits your needs. Ask about the availability of planes during the times that are convenient for you.

6. Interview flying instructors. Look for someone whose safety record is impeccable and with whom you feel comfortable. You'll be spending considerable time with this person. Ask each potential instructor how many students he or she has successfully guided through the entire license process and ask to contact former students.

7. Ask about insurance. Make sure you're adequately covered. Insurance is similar to automobile policies in terms of the risks that need to be covered. You want protection against property damage, airplane damage, liability, and medical coverage for yourself and anyone you might injure.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a few test flights with a qualified pilot. Make sure you enjoy being in a small plane before you invest a lot of time and money in lessons.

• Get a flight instruction book and study on your own time. Your instructor can recommend suitable texts.

• See 236 Buy Life Insurance.

• It's important that training planes have up-to-date avionics (airplane electronics) including communication equipment, GPS and flight instruments. It makes no sense to train on outdated equipment.

• Plan on renting an airplane at first. If you're loaded, you might be tempted to buy one, but as you learn to fly, you'll also learn more about planes. Wait until you're knowledgeable and skilled so that the aircraft you eventually buy will satisfy you for years to come.