How to Train as a Pilot

Flight training can be very demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally. Once the decision is made to begin flight training, one must do so with a great will of determination and self discipline. With the right resources and the right training, most people can learn to fly an airplane at a basic level. These guidelines will help your training process to be more directed and efficient.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Money

1. Check out your local Fixed Base Operators. Flight training is most commonly done at a fixed base operator, or FBO that can be found at almost any small airport in your area. These FBOs are there to control ramp usage, hangar parking, and dispense fuel. They usually have aircraft to rent and a number of flight instructors available to teach new students. Training at an FBO is the best choice for you if you want to fly for fun, for a hobby, or if you are in high school and plan on continuing upon graduation.

2. Consider an Aeronautical College or University.nSeveral colleges and universities in the U.S. offer a full professional pilot bachelors degree. These schools may be solely aeronautical based, such as Embry-Riddle, or may have aviation degrees within a larger umbrella of choices such as Parks College at Saint Louis University, the University of North Dakota, Purdue University, or Central Missouri State University. This is the best choice for you if you want to become a career pilot and get a college degree while at the same time completing your flight training.

3. Research Fast Track Programs.Fast track programs are ones in which you complete accelerated flight training and gain all the certificates and ratings you will need to work as a professional pilot in rapid succession at one facility. These courses are generally very intense and take about 1 1/2 years to complete. This is the best choice for you if you are older than 30 and still want to be a career pilot, or if you already have a college degree or don’t want a college degree, but still need flight training to help you become a career pilot.

4. Find an Instructor. Regardless of which choice you make for your flight training facility, you will need an instructor pilot that fits you well. This can be one of the most important decisions you make during your flight training. Don’t just accept the first instructor they give to you if you feel that you have major personality differences. You need to get along well with this person in stressful, close quarters, and be able to respect them and trust their skills and judgment. If you cannot do this with this person, ask for another instructor until you find the right match. Once you find a good one though, stick to him/her. Changing instructors too many times can be confusing as they will have varying techniques and expectations.

Tips & Warnings

• A key to succeeding in flight training is to do so with consistency. Flying once a week is not enough to get through a license appropriately.
• Avoid package deals for training materials unless you have talked to other student pilots or instructors at your facility and they recommend them.