| In this article I talk about what is involved in flying | | | | the area in which the Flying lesson will take place are |
| lessons for the benefit of people who want to | | | | included in the briefing. The safety aspects that are |
| become a pilot. Flying is fun but errors are severely | | | | important in flying to the practice area, during the flying |
| punished as with all adventures in challenging | | | | lesson, and returning are all explained in the briefing. |
| environments. Aviation errors occurred from lack of | | | | Any notices or warnings that may be current for the |
| knowledge in the early days. | | | | day and the Air Traffic and Radio requirements will be |
| To minimise danger experience needed to be passed | | | | covered. Observation and the correct handing over of |
| on. That process is called 'Flying Lessons'. Pilot training | | | | control procedures will be emphasised by the |
| has changed over the years and the pilot today needs | | | | instructor. To establish an exchange of control from |
| to know more about the theory of the different | | | | one pilot to another the pilot holding the controls says |
| elements associated with aviation as well as the | | | | 'You have control' the receiving pilot replies' I have |
| practical handling of an aeroplane. | | | | control'. It is essential to know who is actually holding |
| A specific syllabus is followed for training which is | | | | the controls. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. |
| divided into flying lessons. We will look at the flying | | | | Following the briefing the pilots check the paperwork |
| lessons for a Private Pilot Licence. Academic training | | | | and sign out The next stage of the Flying lesson is the |
| consists of the following: | | | | 'walk round'. The next stage of the Flying lesson is the |
| Navigation and radio navigation, Air Law and | | | | 'walk round'. The pilots, using their check lists, walk |
| procedures, Meteorology, Human performance and | | | | round the plane and check for fuel and oil levels, oil |
| limitations, Aircraft general including Principles of flight, | | | | leaks, damage, operation of controls, tyres, for cuts |
| Communications, Flight performance and planning. | | | | and inflation, propellers for damage etc. |
| A written test is required with pass marks at 75% in all | | | | Using the check list ensures nothing is missed. Having |
| subjects. At Private Pilot Licence (PPL) level the work | | | | completed the checks outside the pilots enter the |
| is done by self study with guidance from the Instructor. | | | | cockpit, strap in and, with the check list, complete the |
| Some schools have qualified ground instructors and | | | | internal checks. With all the checks complete the |
| provide lectures. Simulators are now part of the | | | | engine is started and permission to taxy obtained from |
| training programme. They range from the sophisticated | | | | Air Traffic Control. At the holding point the plane will be |
| airline simulators to simple machines for club use and | | | | faced into the wind and pre take-off checks carried |
| most schools have them. Flying lessons can all be | | | | out. With the checks completed clearance is obtained |
| usefully practiced on such machines. | | | | and the aircraft enters the runway for take off. |
| Usually flying lessons start with an instructor briefing. | | | | Generally the flying lessons follow this pattern with |
| The detail of what is going to be done in the air and on | | | | each lesson being recorded in the students personal |
| the ground is covered in the briefing. The weather and | | | | log book. |