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.