“FLYING LESSONS”

There seems to be a lot of interest in flying lessons nowadays. So I thought of writing this article for the benefit of those who want to know what is involved in flying lessons. Flying is fun but, with all adventures that challenge the elements, careless errors are severely punished. In the early days of aviation errors occurred from lack of knowledge. It was soon realised that, to minimise the dangers, experience needed to be passed on.

Thus was born what we call today ‘flying lessons’. The training of a pilot has changed. The pilot today is expected to know a lot more about the theory of different elements associated with aviation as well as the practical handling of an actual aeroplane. Training follows a specific syllabus which is divided into different flying lessons.

We will look at the flying lessons for a Private Pilot Licence here. The academic training consists of the following subjects:
Navigation and radio navigation, Air Law and procedures, Meteorology, Human performance and limitations, Aircraft general including Principles of flight, Communications, Flight performance and planning.

A written test is required with pass marks at 75% in all subjects. At PPL level the work is done by self study with guidance from the instructor. Some schools provide lectures and have qualified ground instructors. Simulators have become so good that they are now part of the training programme.

Most schools have them and they range from the sophisticated (airline simulators) to simple machines for club use. Flying lessons can all be usefully practiced on such machines. Flying lessons usually start with a briefing by the instructor. It covers the detail of what is going to be done in the air and on the ground. The briefing includes the weather and the area in which the flying lesson will take place. The instructor will explain the stages of the lesson and the safety aspects that are important in flying to the practice area, during the flying lesson, and returning.

The Air Traffic Control and Radio requirements will be covered and any notices or warnings that may be current for the day. The instructor will stress the importance of observation and the correct handing over of control from one person to the other. It is essential to know who is actually holding the controls and very clear ‘You have control’ followed by ‘I have control’ establishes an exchange from one pilot to the other. The briefing usually takes 20 to 30minutes.

After the briefing the pilots check the paperwork and sign out on the authorisation sheet with the instructor authorising the flight. The next stage of the Flying lesson is the ‘walk round’. The pilots will use their check lists to walk round the plane and check for oil leaks, damage, fuel and oil levels, operation of controls, tyres, for cuts and inflation, propellers for damage etc.

Using the check list ensures nothing is missed. Once the outside of the plane has been checked they climb into the cockpit and check all the instruments etc. When satisfied all is ok the engine is started followed by contact with Air Traffic Control for permission to taxy. The aircraft will be taken along the taxiway to the holding point, controls and brakes will be checked.

At the holding point the plane will be faced into the wind and pre take-off checks carried out. When the pilots are ready they call for take off clearance and, when granted, they move onto the runway for the take-off.

Flying lessons follow this pattern and each lesson is recorded in the student’s log book.

“AIRLINE PILOT”

Being an airline pilot is fun, but it is pretty hard work too. Since safety is vital in the aviation industry, airline pilots have to undergo a lot of training, exams and check flights in order to keep the various skills required sharp and up to date. Even a captain of a 747 will have to undertake various exams and flight checks several times a year.

Though it looks glamorous from the outside, there is a lot of hard work that goes into becoming an airline pilot in the first place and then to maintain the high standards required to be an airline pilot. In addition, you will not earn the big bucks until you become a captain.

How To Become An Airline Pilot
 

In order to become an airline pilot, you need to have lot of dedication and put in a lot of hard work.  A degree is not a requirement to become a pilot in general, but in order to become an airline pilot these days, a degree is a big advantage. However, the degree does not have to be in the aviation related field. 

Usually the journey to become an airline pilot begins by getting the Private Pilot Licence.  Do your due diligence when choosing a flight school to get your PPL. Don’t just disregard an instructor at a local flight school.  The bigger flight schools have a lot of advantages, as their instructors may often be recently retired airline captains with vast experience.  Local flying schools have the keen young instructors who may well be suitable for the younger generation.

Once you get your PPL, your next important target is to get the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).  This will require you to build up the flying hours as well as doing exams and flight tests.  While you are building up the hours for the CPL, you could get the instrument rating and/or an instructor rating added to your PPL.

An Instructor rating will enable you to teach and gain valuable experience as well as logged hours. You should also try to add multi engine ratings to your licence.

The next licence up the ladder is the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), which you will require as an airline pilot with a major airline. However, provided you have the proper ratings, and in some cases even with about 500 to 1000 hours of flight time, you may get the opportunity to work for a regional airlines flying turboprop and regional-jet aircraft.  These do not require you to have an ATPL. You can upgrade to ATPL once you have obtained the necessary experience.

Most airlines usually require you to have ATPL and favour applicants who have completed the integrated courses as these are of known quantity and include the multi-crew co-operation course. The modular trained pilots are expected to have 1500 hours or more before being accepted but this varies from company to company and also as the market changes. Flying with a regional airline is a good advantage as they usually have a strong tie with the larger airlines.

If you are successful in getting into an airline, then you will start as a first officer. Then you will work your way up to become a captain. However, the opportunity to undergo training for upgrading from the first officer to captain is usually given on the seniority within the airline, not on the flying experience.

Hope you found this article useful. If you want to become a pilot in the shortest possible time and with the least cost, then watch the free video on How To Become A Pilot on a budget guide.

I thought of writing to you about why new pilot trainees struggle with budgeting. I have seen time and time again, how most of my students have struggled in the area of finances when it came to their flight training.

They were struggling because they did not know where to start, and the most cost effective ways to go about with their flying training.

One important thing that you have to realise is that flying training costs a lot of money, so even cutting down a fraction of it will still amount to saving a few £100s or even a few £1000s. For a ordinary person, saving a £1000 from their flying training is still a big saving. 

Important tip:

Make sure that you are well organised and take control of your flight training by following a plan.

You are less likely to waste money and time if you are organised and know what exactly to expect.

Plan your flight training and studies well, this way you will save both time and money. You are less likely to require extra flying hours if you know when to do the ground studies and when to do the flight training and tests.

Most of all, there are very simple things that you need to know in order to lower the overall costs of achieving your goal to become a pilot. If you do not know these things you could waste £1000’s in your flight training, and potentially not reach your goal because of the financial limitations.

Now you do not want that, do you?

This is why I always advice my students and flying enthusiasts that budgeting is one of the most important things that you have to keep an eye on, if you want to succeed as a pilot.

Though, there is a lot of information on flying training on the Internet, the budgeting aspects of flying training is hardly mentioned in any of the material that you find out there.

So, make sure you find out more about budgeting if you want to do your pilot training at a minimum cost.

Also, ensure that you know all aspects about flight training so that you can make informed decisions in order to save time and money.

Becoming a pilot is a childhood dream of many men and women. However, very few people achieve this goal and live their dream. Those who are lucky enough would either get into the military and become a military pilot, or be chosen for one of the very few civilian sponsored programs with an airline.

The main problem that the flying enthusiasts face on their way to become a pilot, is the cost of learning to fly. Becoming a pilot is a very costly affair, so budgeting is very important when it comes to flight training.

Did you know that starting your flight training in the wrong time of the year or taking a flight skills test on a bad day would cost you more money to obtain your licence. Over the period of your flight training, even these simple things would give rise to significant extra expenses towards your flight training. If you do not know what to
expect, it could stop you in your tracks due to lack of funding.

With my 40+ years in the industry both as a pilot and a flying instructor in the military as well as civil aviation, I have seen time and time again how mystudents struggle with finances.

So, if you want to become a pilot without wasting money or time, makesure you keep an eye on your finances, and manage your flying budget really well.

In previous articles I have covered the routes to  fixed wing pilots Licences for pleasure, commercial and military. Microlights, balloons and gliders have also been discussed. I have now been asked to provide similar information for Helicopter flying. Obtaining a helicopter licence is probably a more difficult task than for fixed wing. Employment opportunities are also more limited.

There are the usual two routes Military or civilian.
The selection procedure for the Miltary is the same as for fixed wing pilots. In brief having a degree is a positive advantage, good interview techniques are also important and the required fitness is essential. If this is your aim then make sure you learn some of the history of the chosen service and have a clear idea of why you have chosen that particular service.

The Royal Naval and Marines operate slightly differently but in general selected personnel complete the Defence Elementary Flying Training on a basic aircraft then move to the Defence Helicopter Flying Training School.

On completion  Royal Navy candidates then convert to aircraft such as the Sea King  for operational training while Royal Marines go to the Army Training School for the operational training and later join their observers for joint training as crews. On completion of elementary training The Royal Air Force  stream pilots into fast jet, rotary (helicopter flying) or multi engine training.

The civilian route can be very difficult as currently there are no sponsorships available. Anyone wanting to be a helicopter pilot has to finance the training and it is expensive. The requirements for helicopter flying and obtaining a licence are as follows:

Basic Leisure Pilot Licence (H)
Minimum age 16 years  Obtain passes in the theory subjects Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications, Flight Performance and Planning, Navigation and Aircraft General Knowledge .
Flying:  Minimum 35 hours instruction in helicopter flying including a minimum of 20 hours dual instruction, 6 hours supervised solo flight and 3 hours navigation training. Complete a helicopter flying skills test.

Leisure Pilot Licence (H)
Minimum age 16years. Obtain passes in the theory subjects Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications, Flight Performance and Planning, Navigation and Aircraft General Knowledge .
Flying: Minimum 45 hours instruction in helicopter flying including a minimum of 25 hours dual instruction, 10 hours supervised solo flight including at least 5 hours cross country flight time with one flight of at least 150km with one full stop landing at an airfield other than the departure airfield.  Complete a helicopter flying skills test.

Private Pilot Licence (H)
Minimum age 17 years. Obtain passes in the theory subjects Air Law, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Communications, Flight Performance and Planning, Radio Aids, Operational Procedures, Principals of Flight, Navigation and Aircraft General Knowledge .
Flying: Minimum 45 hours instruction in helicopter flying including a minimum of 25 hours dual instruction including 5 hours instrument dual instruction  10 hours supervised solo flight including at least 5 hours cross country flight time with one flight of at least 185km with two full stop landings at  two airfields other than the departure airfield.  Complete a helicopter flying skills test.

Helicopter flying is less affected by the weather so the training programme usually goes fairly smoothly. Once qualified finding work can be daunting. The largest area of civilian helicopter operations is the North Sea. Sponsorships do occur from time to time and you should not neglect the racing fraternity. Overseas opportunities particularly in Africa are another source of employment.

Good luck with all your endeavours and happy flying.