Are You Ready for Flight School? | Airline Pilot Explains 

You have a written exam before you go out on your first flight lesson? What should I expect on my first flight lesson?

@@gavingonsalves6186 I made sure I could pass my third class physical first. Then if I didn't pass that, I didn't spend all the extra money on the written exam, flying time. I did take a couple of lessons before I took the written. On the first lesson expect to walk around the plane with the instructor and they will show you the preflight checks. The instructor might even ask you to takeoff with their help. Then a nice easy flight to show you the different instruments and what they do. Some turns, etc. and back to landing by the instructor. :)\

@@zxr92 thank you for the response. They may sound dumb, what is the physical test, with a doctor I am assuming. I am 43 turning 44 very soon, and I have become very interested in learning how to fly. Taking off would be pretty cool, I am sure they wouldn't allow if it was unsafe such as cross wind, and about how many hours before you attempt to land? Something being not experienced in flying I don't look forward to.

@@zxr92 how is the turbulence given it will probably be a small Cessna? Any particular weather it would be smoother in for your first flight?

@@gavingonsalves6186 they have certain doctors certified with the FAA and it's all registered with them. Flying is up to you and what your instructor is safe for you to do .

How did you do?

How's it going?

I'm in the same boat as you. I started in 98 and stopped in 2000. Now, 21 years after last flight I'm looking forward to finishing.

hows it going now i am about to start my training i turn 40 this year

well its good to keep costs down through flight school, its expensive!

@@74gear Thank you sir, I really appreciate that!

Are you a private pilot yet?

Why class A?

Jackie Varughese where for flight school?

It’s been one year and now ?

I had a terrible flight instructor and chose to work with him (didn't want to offend anyone). It went okay, but I regret it today. It wasn't the best training I could have gotten. I've been a CFI myself and if a student wouldn't like to work With me, that would have been totally fine and I would 100% support that desicion.

Just make sure they don't wear aviator sunglasses......at night.

I fired a flight instructor once because he would start staring out the window and stop paying attention to what I was doing during critical phases of the flight. I politely told him it’s not working out. After the owner of the flight school asked me why I don’t want to fly with him, he fired the instructor. I admit I felt bad at the time, but it was the right thing to do-for me and for him. Hopefully, he learned from the experience and went on to be a better instructor.

What is considered a bad flight instructor? They are totally different. A flight instructor is not a robot. True some train more on the aspects you prefer. But part of the training even through all the ground courses and maneuver hours is understanding the statement The Airworthiness of the pilot is determined by no one else but the pilot in command: you. The instructor has a hard time determining the personality of the pilot and despite in aviation needing an AME doctor is required but there is no flight psychologist. Very true if you have a horrible instructor get rid of them. But take into account: as you progress you may notice you have two instructors and in the beginning one is very easy on you and one very hard on you. You may prefer the one very easy on you and not the one you think is very hard on you. Later you may change your mind. As you progress your understand your learning style. An instructor has a very hard time determining how you learn. They teach you how they them self imagine they would learn well. They can only see through their eyes. Not yours. This makes things very tough to determine. Some instructors see you are nervous and will practically say "ok lets turn around and do the landing early. You seem like you have had enough." Another may practically insist you challenge yourself early. Also from the point of view of a new person the ground is comfortable. The take off is easy then from there the air maneuvers can seem intimidating. The next thing you may wish for is to practice the landing. From the point of view of the instructor altitude is your friend. The take off and landing is the most dangerous part because now you are interacting with the ground but while 1500 feet up or higher you have tons of room to maneuver and make mistakes. So from one perspective to the next each person will see things totally different. I agree there are very bad instructors just remember personality conflicts are not always intended but definitely do what is best to learn. The worst instructors to me are the types of people that allow total morons to pass who get a license and take nothing seriously and fuck up and either crash or almost crash. If someone never takes pre flight checks seriously and is so anxious in the air to get rid of an instructor and fly by them self without wanting to take the time to really have patience and learn then an instructor should notify whoever "this person does not tame anything seriously I do want to teach them." This is hard too. A person has to go through dozens of hours and pass ground courses and pass a flight check etc. To get a license. Some people act very responsibly then later totally change their attitude and behavior based on knowing they now get away with things they could not now that they are flying by them self. But absolutely some people let things slide. Still its very rare. Most instructors are very dedicated. Sometimes switching up an instructor can avoid a conflict that was not intended anyway. I imagine being a CFI would be a very stressful job taking some brand new person and trusting them with the controls for even a second. Who knows who is getting in a plane with you. Who knows. Anyway yes everyone has to learn in their own way but aerodynamic mechanics are aerodynamic mechanics and must be taught in a certain way as well. So its tough. And obviously in aviation lots of people love to minimize the difficulty of flying and act as though its so easy and obviously it can be but under certain conditions its really not. Otherwise why would airplane instructors teach spin recovery and why would helicopter instructors teach auto rotation recovery techniques? Bad instructors are horrible and heavily avoided by everyone. Still I imagine being a CFI is a pretty high pressure stressful job regardless of how easy they make it seem. Just the thought of teaching a new student every day sounds so stressful! I think if I was an instructor and my main job was to teach someone on a simulator I would still be stressed as hell like "is this person going to try and learn and fly safe? Omg what am I responsible for here? I totally need this person to listen and listen well. Yet I cannot control what they do once they leave here."

@@Random_Einstein that is a responsible outlook. To each their own

Your telling me you used road signs instead of using the actual instruments. You do realize you don’t need a gps to find your way to an airport and you definitely shouldn’t use road signs and water towers you should use the instruments to find your way to the airport it will also help with instrumental approaches. I mean your gps will give you a straight shot to the airport you want to go to so you want to use your instruments so you now a route that brings in between all of the obstacles I mean you could be using your gps and run straight into a mountain using your instruments that won’t happen.

@@CK86325 You do realize not all of us learned in aircraft equipped with such technology? I had no GPS, no digital maps, and no types of navigational aids aside from a VOR. During my VFR training I was taught to look out the window and use landmarks to navigate. The only navigational aid required for VFR flight is a magnetic compass, so learning how to dead recon and use landmarks is essential.

Tom Corwine lmao u just said u had VOR that’s all u need. You just need to find out your dedicated altitudes for the different area you enter and just use the VOR. All you need to know is Morse code and your all set. Which btw you should either know or at least have a piece of paper with a Morse code guide on it.

Tom Corwine Oh and wtf sort of plane are you flying that only has a magnetic compass. That’s absolutely absurd and quite illegal.

@@CK86325 I didn’t say I _needed_ a VOR, I said that’s all the aircraft had. I don’t _need_ the VOR at all. Navigating via dead reckoning is part of the practical knowledge exam.

awesome Justin glad you are enjoying them!

Hey Dane, congratulations man! I'm really interested to hear how you're doing now and your personal experience with how schooling went. It might be a long shot expecting a reply from you, but, I've decided I need to make a change in my life before it's too late to do so and I'm going to be enrolling.

Learning !!! in a 210 !! wow

@@Feraloxide do it brother. However, if your trying to make a quick career change try to train part 141. They have shorter FAA approved training course outlines with less hour requirements to obtain licenses and ratings. I went 0 to CFI in 10 months. Enjoy it brother it’s like living a dream!

@@tomasklimas4642 I’ve now started, and man is it everything I dreamed of and so much more. I’m training in a PA-28-161, and my instructor is super patient and helpful. I actually don’t mind studying! Only thing that sucks is I’m supposed to go up tomorrow, and right now I’m feeling real under the weather, so hopefully I recover by then.

Thanks for the tip, J B, I’ll remember that if I ever decide to go to flight school!

Thank you so much

I had a dream of becoming a pilot, a 747 pilot. Since I was a kid, I was begging to go talk to and see the pilot. Didn't really materialize Eventhough that dream is still strong in me. I became an Engineer because my parents wanted me to become one. I regret not running after my dream. If you have passion for it, go for it, because if you don't, you will be 47 and ranting in a comment on RU-vid about how much it sucks.

@@marwanessa8635 this comment has made me see sense and I will be following my dream and going to flight school hopefully soon. I was thinking about just working for my friends farther in a shop. Imagining my self at about 30 with that job doesn't appeal to me. Thanks

@@marwanessa8635 I'm 56 and starting flight school in a month. I have the ground school finished and I'm ready for my written test.

Always wanted to fly. 48 and just got into microlights, freaking awesome.

@@74gear Thanks for the quick reply, I thought it could take a while if you were currently in the air :) Commercial aviation is definitely my dream career so I will stay tuned on your channel and your IG. Thanks

lol PPl

"had known

I am training just outside Calgary, Alberta and my guy is excellent. I won't mention the previous outfit!

Know that feeling. As long as we got aloft though...eh? Cheers.

I'm moving forward in a career change at 53. Been ah childhood dream of mine since I cam remember. Never give up!!

U were right, approaching 500k subs!

74 Gear. I checked out the video. Good stuff. Thx! Im about to start night flights (phase 7 of 10) Two questions for ya. 1: I currently have a DC H10-13.4 aviation headset and want to upgrade. Which do you suggest: DC One-X or Bose A20? You referenced A20. But wanted your opinion on the other one. 2: I’m in Northern California and the fires destroy visibility. We currently have 1.5 SM. What can I do to keep my skills from going stale? I took (and passed) the written to pass some time. But now I’m twiddling my thumbs. Thx! Love the videos!

@@clifroberts1483 that's funny. Try being on the ground during these fires, trying to coordinate wth the tanker crews. With eyes full of smoke. Good times.

@@robertborchert932 what's funny?

I am glad you enjoyed it Jack, ya the majority of instructors are exactly that, younger pilots trying to build time so they can move on... Its just the current dynamic of things right now.

Joshua Landry bro thanks for the advice I personally think it make sense to me now. Regarding the headsets. Thanks mate.

Absolutely! David Clarks are the best. I prefer passive noise reduction. I paid $300 US for mine back in 2002. As you say, though, each person needs to find their fit.

glad you are enjoying and sharing the info Peter! thanks for subscribing.

Dreams have no expiration date! Happy flying to you!

Remember this if nothing else, Roger, you only stop learning when you die... if you’re still breathing, it’s not too late to learn something new!

@@74gear no problem I saw your comment on capt Joe's video so I thought I would check you out I've watched at least 6 vids in a row now so keep it up only 2 more until I've seen them all

thanks Ron, really glad you enjoyed it thanks for watching and subscribing.

A little late to your post, but here goes. Years ago, I was with my brother at John Wayne (SNA) airport. We knew the ATC staff, voices are familiar. The controller referred to us as "152 Heavy". Still remember that. I spent time are at our fire station there, the tower adjoins it. My brother worked at the FBO there. I like low wings, but you can't knock the little 152!

hopefully some useful info in there, thanks for watching Johnny

38, same also.

Hold up, spl=sailplane pilot license (at least how it's in easa, I am quite sure germany is part of it) for ultralights, it should be the lapl(u), at least as far as I know

@@rederos8079 Well, SPL in Germany is the SPORT PILOT LICENCE (Micro light). D-M… up to 600 kg‘s.

@@kevjantz really? I thought they went along with EASA, but I guess not