You Can Fly - 2023 Edition - 31

" Flight training is rewarding
and enjoyable. However, it
can sometimes be very
stressful. It's important
to remember that it will
not always be fun.
Expect challenges. Find
the joy after difficult
flights. I recall driving
home after tough flight
lessons and looking up
at airplanes overhead and
thinking, 'just did that.' "
" Time management and utilization
is key during flight training. An
early investment in analyzing
where you can find more time
for studying will pay off. Use
flashcards or a ground
school mobile app to take
advantage of moments
you're stuck waiting away
from your primary study
materials. Shave time off
household tasks by getting
Dave Roy, vice president of the
AOPA Pilot Information Center, member services,
and flight operations
" One thing that took some time
to realize while training-
and after getting my
certificate-was that
there is a lot more to
flying than circling
the pattern and taking
short hops to neighboring
airports. Yes, I
was told it was a license
to learn and a passport
to see the country (and
world), but students and new
private pilots can get so ingrained
in the lessons and the maneuvers needed to pass the
checkride that we need to take a breath and realize
that we can go (almost) anywhere. Take a look at
the charts, find somewhere you've always wanted to
visit, and go! "
Eric Blinderman, senior director of
AOPA communications
" Knowing how to find
the information is just
as valuable as memorizing.
I've learned
which things I need
to commit to memory
(like emergency
procedures and squawk
codes) and which things
I should rely on a guide
or checklist, or to just look
it up before a flight and refresh
my memory. I spent a lot of time during my training
memorizing regulations, which is a good thing,
but it's easy to get those things mixed up inside
one's head. "
Erick Webb, AOPA social media marketer
prepared ingredients from the grocery
store. Listen to reputable flight training
podcasts while driving or exercising. You'll be
surprised how much small changes and short study
opportunities add up. "
Sarah Staudt, AOPA safety program developer
" I wish I had spent more time flying
solo and practicing maneuvers
solo. I was proficient and confident
when I'd fly with my
instructor but found myself
feeling less confident when
it was time to fly solo and
practice maneuvers. If I
had spent more time flying
alone, I would have been a
much happier and self-assured
student pilot and private pilot. "
Niki Britton, AOPA content producer
My first foray into flying was as a
student glider pilot. I started
glider flying when I was 16
but missed passing the glider
written exam by one question.
Because I didn't really
study hard, I also didn't
finish the rating. When I
went to college and started
my powered aircraft training,
I studied more for the written
exams, but my preflight prep
study wasn't as good as it could have
been. Plan to spend two to three hours
for every flight hour studying what you're going
to do in the next lesson. It will pay off and you'll be
better prepared for your lesson and checkride. Your
CFI will appreciate it as well! "
John Collins, AOPA manager of aviation
safety programs
FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2023
31
You Can Fly - 2023 Edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of You Can Fly - 2023 Edition
