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Expectations

Your Path to Becoming a Pilot

Becoming a pilot is an exciting journey. It takes training, practice, and dedication, but each step brings you closer to flying on your own. Here’s what to expect along the way.

iN FLIGHT STAGES OF Learning

Straight level, turns, climbs, and descents

The basis for how to get somewhere! Every single flight has each one of these topics, and a budding pilot ought to show relative proficiency in being able to perform properly before advancing to the next stage of flight.

Slow flight, stalls, and basic maneuvers

Although not regularly encountered in each and every flight, these items are those which will eventually be tested on to show true mastery of the aircraft. Additionally, in order to be a safe pilot, a student must also learn a variety of means by which to control their aircraft.

Pattern work

This is where things get repetitive, and for good reason. Around each runway is an invisible “race track,” a pattern that is regularly flown to accomplish a series of landings. As many student pilots have claimed that landing their plane is the hardest part of instruction, it’s no wonder that most instructors require several hours of cumulative training in the pattern alone! 

Landing on own

Fear not, students! In the end, landing a plane all comes down to developing routines and becoming comfortable. In this stage of flight, a student pilot takes flight with their instructor, refining their landings to near perfection. Before you know it, your instructor didn’t help at all!

Pattern solo

Truly an unforgettable experience. Even though your instructor said they didn’t help on that last lap in the pattern, can you really be sure they didn’t make a minor tweak? This is a good stage of flight to continue refining your own skills alone in the aircraft. Even though flying the pattern is repetitive, the workload has doubled without your instructor around!

Dual cross country

How about a trip to California? Although this would be eligible, probably not quite yet. Part of the required stages of flight instruction is to plan a trip at least 50 nautical miles away from the airport of origin. Not only is a student coached in how to plan for the trip, but you get to fly it, too! Wherever you’d like (within reason), make the plans and take flight!

Cross country solo

Many instructors opt to have their students fly once to their preferred destination alongside their instructor, then do the exact same flight alone, after further planning and preparation. We hope you like your destination enough to go twice!

Checkride prep

After completing all stages of flight and all the requirements within, this is where students really focus on showing their instructor what they can do in preparation for the final exam. It’s where all the pieces come together, and your instructor determines if you are ready to take your test! Not only should a student aim to impress their instructor, they should seek to impress themselves with how far they’ve come!

Checkride

Do you have what it takes? Show up for your final exam early, well rested, and hydrated! Many examiners are very friendly, and truly want the best for their applicants, and earnestly enjoy providing new pilots with their certificates! However, there are strict requirements to meet, both in the ground and in the sky. So long as you make it through the exam, you are now a certified private pilot! Congratulations!

Ground stages of Learning

Many advanced pilots say that over half of their hobby or occupation is not flying their airplane. Be prepared to study and prepare documents both with your instructor and in some of your free time.

Aerodynamics

Why does a plane really fly? WIth its wings? Yes, and more! All students will learn the details of how a plane powers through the sky, and what makes the experience so special!

Systems and flight controls

After learning why a plane flies, an individual might like to know exactly how it flies, in addition to a variety of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical contraptions that are contained within an aircraft!

Weather

Aside from basic minimums, students now learn how to accurately forecast weather conditions by looking at charts, as well as destination weather conditions, and more….

Airspace and regulations /airworthiness

In this portion of ground study, instructors and students discuss different varieties of airports, and different levels of air traffic…

Human factors

You’ve made sure that your plane is safe and ready to fly. Great job, pilot! What about you? 

Cross country planning

Pairing this section with the flight portion, significant time is devoted to figuring out what it takes to take flight and wind up somewhere else.

Checkride prep

In the last stages of ground instruction, a student’s instructor will review all previous information discussed in preparation for the student’s final exam…

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Ready to Begin Your Journey

If you meet the eligibility guidelines and feel called to pursue aviation, we invite you to submit your application. This scholarship exists to support students who show dedication, maturity, and a clear desire to complete their training.

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