You Can Fly - 2020 edition - 19

WHY I FLY

Step 2: Choose a school and instructor
This is a critical step. Find a school and instructor you like, and with
whom you feel comfortable. You are the boss here, and it is in your best
interest to ensure you are secure in the training environment (see "How to
Choose the Right Flight School," page 11, for more information).
Step 3: Start flying
Schedule lessons as often as you can. Flying more frequently generally
encourages more efficient learning. Although you may hear the journey of
learning to fly described as a course, it is a series of independent lessons
scheduled on your terms and with the instructor you choose.
Step 4: Get a medical certificate
Every private pilot must obtain an FAA medical certificate at least once
(see "Fit to Fly?" page 25). Get this out of the way early in your training to
avoid potential delays later on.
Step 5: Study
Nothing saves more time and money than studying between lessons.
Some people say that flying an airplane is 10 percent skill and 90 percent
knowledge and judgment. Much of the latter can be learned on the ground
in books, videos, and online courses.
Step 6: Take the tests
To earn a pilot certificate you must take three tests: the knowledge
exam, oral exam, and practical exam. The knowledge exam is a computerbased multiple-choice test based on the studying you will do throughout
your training. You can take it any time during the learning process. Earlier
is better, as it avoids cramming at the end of training. The oral and practical
exams come at the very end, and are conducted by an FAA designee near
you. If you have studied hard and feel confident in your flying, the tests will
be a formality.
Study hard, commit to your training, and you will find the journey of
learning to fly as fulfilling as the destination. Remember that all pilots
have been through it, and you are joining a community that is ready and
eager to help newcomers. Soon you'll look skyward not with envy, but
with anticipation.

SAMMY MASON
"I really don't think much
about my age because
the racing itself requires
all my focus. It's unreal
to do the stuff air racing
allows us to do. Flying fast
means flying coordinated,
especially at low level. A
Cub, a Stearman, and a Pitts
obviously can't go nearly as
fast or pull as much G as an
Edge-but they teach you a
lot about coordination."
Mason is one of the youngest aerobatic
performers at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, and competed in the
Red Bull Air Races.

ian.twombly@aopa.org

yours on the flight school's
and instructor's schedules.
Love the one you're with.
It can be tempting to schedule other instructors when
yours isn't free. Try to avoid
it. Unless your school is highly
standardized, jumping from
one instructor to another
often adds time to your
training.

Think creatively. Weather
will keep you on the ground at
some point. While it is more
likely in Pennsylvania than it is
Arizona, it will happen regardless of where you are training.
Don't take that day off. Study,
do a ground lesson with the
instructor, fly the simulator, or
go to the maintenance shop.
Whatever you do, don't take

the opportunity to bag out
and go back to work.
Be your own advocate. If
scheduling challenges are a regular occurrence at your school,
talk to your instructor, the chief
instructor, or the owner. If you
can't regularly schedule lessons,
consider switching schools.
Regular training is essential to
progress. -IJT

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG 19

http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

You Can Fly - 2020 edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of You Can Fly - 2020 edition