| Why not consider the gift of flight for you or a friend? | | | | runway and your "pilot in command" (flight instructor) |
| All it takes is a quick visit to your local airport to take | | | | will do the take off roll and "clear the control zone" to |
| your first "orientation" flight. A good way to go about it | | | | what is known as a cross country trip or to a |
| is to use the internet to search for local small airports | | | | "designated area" known as the practice area by |
| near you and then plan your day around the visit. | | | | student pilots. When you decide to take up this great |
| Depending on your schedule and geographic location | | | | hobby, you will spend a lot of time in this area of the |
| (the flight school's Chief Flight Instructor will help you), | | | | sky... look around at the landmarks below you as you |
| you may wish to plan your first flight in the earlier | | | | will be passing over them again very soon. |
| morning (before 10am especially in the summer | | | | Depending on the flight school, your flight instructor will |
| months) or in the later afternoon (after 4pm) as this is | | | | take you to straight and level flying and then hand over |
| when possible turbulence will be at its lowest (a bumpy | | | | the controls to you to do all the rest for about 30-45 |
| first ride is not that desirable...). I would suggest you go | | | | minutes. No need to worry as he/she will be talking |
| in the morning - grab a cup of joe and get to the | | | | you through everything step by step. He may say, |
| airport by 8am or so. Hopefully, you have already set | | | | "handing over" and you will answer, "taking over" as |
| up your appointment in advance to keep the costs as | | | | you put a light grip on the control yoke. You are |
| low as possible but don't worry as there will be several | | | | guaranteed to have the time of your life. After the |
| flying instructors willing and able to take you up for a | | | | allotted time, you will head back to the airport while |
| ride. | | | | your instructor will explain how to re-enter the "traffic |
| You will be briefed on the basics of flight while still on | | | | pattern" (known as the "circuit") properly and then will |
| the ground (you may go over the basic weight and | | | | set up for landing. The whole time you will be listening in |
| balance forms for this flight) and then taken out to the | | | | to ATC (Air Traffic Control) and will gain some |
| airplane to do your first "walk around" inspection; this is | | | | valuable knowledge in your first hour. After a gentle |
| a very important part of your flying career and one | | | | touchdown, you will "shut down" the aircraft properly, |
| you will learn to really love (seriously...). Next time you | | | | tie it down securely and head back in to the dispatch |
| are awaiting a connecting flight at the airport, you will | | | | desk to fill out your paperwork and complete |
| surely find yourself scanning the tarmac for the pilot | | | | debriefing. |
| doing his walk around. | | | | The best part...? You get a cool certificate to frame |
| Once the plane has been "checked out", you will be | | | | and put up on your wall as this is a legal first flight |
| invited to sit in the "left seat" (the traditional spot for the | | | | approved by the FAA. |
| Captain) while your flight instructor will take the controls | | | | When you realise how much fun this would be and |
| in the right seat. After you go through the checklist(s) | | | | how cool it would be to join the likes of John Travolta, |
| and listen to the ATIS (Automated Terminal Information | | | | Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford and other Hollywood |
| Service - a fancy name for the rules - right now!). | | | | heavyweights, just follow up with your flight school to |
| These rules change all day long starting with ATIS | | | | get started on getting your FAA medical test, ground |
| Information Alpha, then Bravo, and Charlie and so on... | | | | school classes and practical flying time. Most student |
| (look at the bottom of this article for the rest and then | | | | pilots will "solo" after about 25-30 hours of training and |
| IMPRESS your friends!). Now it is time to taxi the plane | | | | take their Private Pilot check-ride after about 50 hours |
| after getting clearance from the "ground controller" in | | | | in the air. The costs per hour are usually around $100 |
| the tower (if, indeed there is a tower...); if you are lucky, | | | | hr for aircraft alone and $140/hr for aircraft with |
| you may be able to help with the taxiing. Be advised, | | | | instructor with your total for everything coming in |
| this is not like your car... you steer with your feet so, | | | | around the $6000 mark. Then, it's only up to you to |
| hands off mate! | | | | keep flying in search of the ever famous (infamous) |
| You will find yourself lined up at the end of the "active" | | | | "Hundred Dollar Hamburger"! |