Greetings, I'm going to be starting flight training in the fall, these are some questions that I have:
1. What can I be doing to prepare myself for the flight training, that will help me to become a better pilot?
2. Are there any books you recommend-books that have helped you along your career path (suitable for non-licenced pilots, or for a specific licence)
3. After the private pilot licence is obtained, is it easy to adapt to flying a single-engine aicraft that's different than the plane training was done on?
4. Words of wisdom- any other valuable advice for those pursuing this career?
All help is appreciated, thanks!
Advice For New Pilots
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore
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victorwooten
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Advice For New Pilots
Last edited by victorwooten on Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Scuba_Steve
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Track down and befriend as many working pilots as you can.
Treat everyone with respect, you never know who may be handling your resume or strapping into the cockpit beside you in the years to come.
Don't believe a damn thing anyone affiliated with a Flight Training Unit Tells you with respect to the industry, your job possibilties etc. its their job to get you flying with them, the'll blow lots of sunshine up your ass (hey I wouldn't have started flying had I not listened to the tripe myself
so I supose I should be thankfull )
Don't forget to learn how to trash talk poeple on Avcanada. you will be one of us soon
Treat everyone with respect, you never know who may be handling your resume or strapping into the cockpit beside you in the years to come.
Don't believe a damn thing anyone affiliated with a Flight Training Unit Tells you with respect to the industry, your job possibilties etc. its their job to get you flying with them, the'll blow lots of sunshine up your ass (hey I wouldn't have started flying had I not listened to the tripe myself
so I supose I should be thankfull )Don't forget to learn how to trash talk poeple on Avcanada. you will be one of us soon
So.....first thisScuba_Steve wrote:Track down and befriend as many working pilots as you can.
Treat everyone with respect, you never know who may be handling your resume or strapping into the cockpit beside you in the years to come.
then this. A little contradictory. While I suppose there are people of low character in any line of work, I would say that not all flight instructors are liars. Heck, you might end up withone of these guys looking at your resume, or straping in beside you.Don't believe a damn thing anyone affiliated with a Flight Training Unit Tells you with respect to the industry, your job possibilties etc. its their job to get you flying with them, the'll blow lots of sunshine up your ass (hey I wouldn't have started flying had I not listened to the tripe myself
Don't forget to learn how to trash talk poeple on Avcanada. you will be one of us soon
It has been my experience that most people considering a flying career will do so regardless of your chances of getting emplyment. I have rarely had to talk a person lthat wanted to be a professional pilot into becoming a pilot - they already want that. Only had to give the benefits of training with us.
Wahunga!
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mellow_pilot
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Start telling chicks at bars that you're Maverick NOW. 
Throw around TLAs (three letter acronyms) whenever possible to sound cool.
Above all be aloof and unapproachable, people like thier pilots to be better than them.
Start looking down on people with less time than you, mock them when necessary.
Don't seek out the truth, simply believe whatever you're told and run with it.
Spread wild rumours and accusations without proof, and take care to hurt as many feelings as possible when doing so.
Jump to conclusions with less than all the facts.
Speculate on every accident, as you are an expert because you've got a licence.
Stop learning new stuff once you pass a test or ride, there is no need to know extra crap, it will never come in handy.
Ignore the old guys, they're past thier prime and have nothing to offer in the new fast-paced computer world. Planes don't work the same way they did years ago, the laws of physics were re-written.
Be a smart ass at all times.
Don't listen, it makes you look like you didn't know already, which you OBVIOUSLY did.
Last but not least (and this one is real), learn to appreciate sarcasm and humour.
Throw around TLAs (three letter acronyms) whenever possible to sound cool.
Above all be aloof and unapproachable, people like thier pilots to be better than them.
Start looking down on people with less time than you, mock them when necessary.
Don't seek out the truth, simply believe whatever you're told and run with it.
Spread wild rumours and accusations without proof, and take care to hurt as many feelings as possible when doing so.
Jump to conclusions with less than all the facts.
Speculate on every accident, as you are an expert because you've got a licence.
Stop learning new stuff once you pass a test or ride, there is no need to know extra crap, it will never come in handy.
Ignore the old guys, they're past thier prime and have nothing to offer in the new fast-paced computer world. Planes don't work the same way they did years ago, the laws of physics were re-written.
Be a smart ass at all times.
Don't listen, it makes you look like you didn't know already, which you OBVIOUSLY did.
Last but not least (and this one is real), learn to appreciate sarcasm and humour.
Dyslexics of the world... UNTIE!
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Scuba_Steve
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Hey spokes little defensive eh?
Its sound advice believe it or not, not all poeple in this industry are as honest and forthcoming as you claim to be. Best to take a salesperson with a grain of salt, especially when they want you to come train at their FTU, I'd do the same thing when I buy my car why not there.
I had enough promisses and BS fed to me to get me into aviation when I was 18 and didn't know any better, perhaps I should be thankfull?
Cheers
Its sound advice believe it or not, not all poeple in this industry are as honest and forthcoming as you claim to be. Best to take a salesperson with a grain of salt, especially when they want you to come train at their FTU, I'd do the same thing when I buy my car why not there.
I had enough promisses and BS fed to me to get me into aviation when I was 18 and didn't know any better, perhaps I should be thankfull?
Cheers
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mellow_pilot
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victor, don't let all these shananigans get you down. Flying is like life in general. There's good stuff, bad stuff and stupid stuff.
Just stay positive, watch your own ass, and have fun!
I'll try to answer you questions since so far it's just been jokes and jaded quips.
1. Do what you're doing now, ask questions and get advice. More over, LISTEN to the answers and advice. (that doesn't mean you always have to take the advice, but atleast consider it carefully)
2.On the subject of books, READ THEM ALL! You can never know too much. I'm a big fan of the university texts (used for aeronautical engineers) if you can get them cheap, do it. Even if you don't get all the math, there is often some great stuff in there. Also, when looking for information, go to the source. Want to know about engines? Talk to a mechanic. Want to know about avionics? Talk to an avionics tech. There are plenty of ways to learn stuff. The older guys in the biz are one of your best sources for info, they're often very knowledgeable and are past the stage where bullshitting is worth the headache it causes.
If you're still in highschool, try to do a co-op placement in a maintenance hangar or something like that. You will learn an amazing amount.
3. On swapping between light singles, it depends. Going from a Cessna 150 to a 172, no big deal. Going from a 150 to a Mooney Bravo... well...
The thing to remember is that you should always get checked out in a new type (this doesn't always mean flying time, hard to do a dual ride in a single seater). Just make sure that you feel absolutely comfortable with what you're doing every time you leave the ground. Flying is like sex, safety is key to having a good time without long term nastyness.
4. Cat Driver said it best, the hardest thing is knowing when to say no. It kinda goes with the above safety. Don't push weather, that's how poeple die. (pushing weather means you're flying in weather that is beyond your capabilities or those of the airplane) Don't fly broken airplanes. Seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised. If you or the plane are not in top condition, just say no. My grandfather always said, "they can't drag you out and shoot you, so what's the worst that can happen?" No one can tell you when it's ok for you to fly, it's your ass, your choice.
Always remember it's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
Keep it blue side up,
m_p
Just stay positive, watch your own ass, and have fun!
I'll try to answer you questions since so far it's just been jokes and jaded quips.
1. Do what you're doing now, ask questions and get advice. More over, LISTEN to the answers and advice. (that doesn't mean you always have to take the advice, but atleast consider it carefully)
2.On the subject of books, READ THEM ALL! You can never know too much. I'm a big fan of the university texts (used for aeronautical engineers) if you can get them cheap, do it. Even if you don't get all the math, there is often some great stuff in there. Also, when looking for information, go to the source. Want to know about engines? Talk to a mechanic. Want to know about avionics? Talk to an avionics tech. There are plenty of ways to learn stuff. The older guys in the biz are one of your best sources for info, they're often very knowledgeable and are past the stage where bullshitting is worth the headache it causes.
If you're still in highschool, try to do a co-op placement in a maintenance hangar or something like that. You will learn an amazing amount.
3. On swapping between light singles, it depends. Going from a Cessna 150 to a 172, no big deal. Going from a 150 to a Mooney Bravo... well...
The thing to remember is that you should always get checked out in a new type (this doesn't always mean flying time, hard to do a dual ride in a single seater). Just make sure that you feel absolutely comfortable with what you're doing every time you leave the ground. Flying is like sex, safety is key to having a good time without long term nastyness.
4. Cat Driver said it best, the hardest thing is knowing when to say no. It kinda goes with the above safety. Don't push weather, that's how poeple die. (pushing weather means you're flying in weather that is beyond your capabilities or those of the airplane) Don't fly broken airplanes. Seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised. If you or the plane are not in top condition, just say no. My grandfather always said, "they can't drag you out and shoot you, so what's the worst that can happen?" No one can tell you when it's ok for you to fly, it's your ass, your choice.
Always remember it's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
Keep it blue side up,
m_p
Dyslexics of the world... UNTIE!
get your hands on a current 'flight training manual' and a 'from the ground up'. These should be available from your FTU, or they can easily be purchased second-hand. Also get an AIM (formerly the AIP) - also available for free on-line on the TC website. Study up and try and be a couple steps ahead of the game throughout your training. Print off a study and reference guide for the private and commercial writtens from the Transport Canada website, as well as the relevant flight test guides to know exactly what is required of you. Kershner's advanced pilots flight manual is a good addition to all of the standard PPL/CPL texts....if you can get your hands on a 'flight without formulas' book (older) and the 'illustrated guide to aerodynamics' then you will probably be armed with more theory of flight knowledge than your average newbie instructor. Your local library may have them. Know your stuff. Not only does it make your life and your instructor's life easier, but it saves you some coin in the long run, by not having to review flight exercises as much with your instructor. Couch fly before each training flight..its effective and cheaper than the real thing
Keep your head in your books, work hard to succeed - allow for a few hickups along the way and always remember (after your first solo) that you are doing something not everyone can do - enjoy it and if you make a career out of this.. don't become a sheep, think for yourself and decide your own career path, just because one person was burnt or unable to do something doesn't mean that it isn't meant for you either...
I had to bust my butt to get into the plane every lesson during flight school because I didn't have any excess cash - but when I was there and flying - paying the bills, and eating that night didn't matter!
Cheers
I had to bust my butt to get into the plane every lesson during flight school because I didn't have any excess cash - but when I was there and flying - paying the bills, and eating that night didn't matter!
Cheers
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BankAngle1987
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Find an instructor with whom you can easily interact. If you're the type of person who doesn't deal with stress well at first, try to get in with a more lay-back instructor. There's no sense wasting your flight hours wondering if the guy next to you thinks you're an idiot because he's tense all the time.
Try to relax as much as possible during your training. While it would be nice to have every flight be perfect, few are without difficulty, so focus on the current task, and don't let previous mistakes compound and frustrate you.
Make a list of all the things you did well at the end of each flight (the instructor should anyway) and focus on how you're steadily improving. It's kinda like being on a weight loss program...nothing happens overnight so take comfort in your successes however small, and learn from your mistakes. If you get pissed at every little mistake well...you won't learn much!
Couch fly as much as possible! If you have access to the plane you're training on, then practice procedures in the cockpit to get you used to the routines...if not then hop on the good old 'rusty springs-hasn't been cleaned since the 70's'- sofa and give it a go in your head! You'll be surprised with the speed at which you progress when you've already been through the procedures several times before stepping in the aircraft.
NO FLIGHT SIM! Flight sim is a useful tool at times for figuring out navigation instruments, but should never be used as a training device for airwork etc. Flight sim gets you in the very bad habit of looking at your instruments to fly.
Most importantly, be patient. The more you accept that things will be rocky at the beginning, the more you will start to notice your subtle improvements, and your confidence will boost rapidly. Whoever said pilots are over confident may have been right, but simply in the sense that they are comfortable with their flying abilities. Cockiness is dangerous, but a little ego boost every now and then after a good flight is perfectly healthy!
Best of luck to you. Flying is by no means for everyone, but in asking advice, you're already off to a very good start. Cheers bud!
Try to relax as much as possible during your training. While it would be nice to have every flight be perfect, few are without difficulty, so focus on the current task, and don't let previous mistakes compound and frustrate you.
Make a list of all the things you did well at the end of each flight (the instructor should anyway) and focus on how you're steadily improving. It's kinda like being on a weight loss program...nothing happens overnight so take comfort in your successes however small, and learn from your mistakes. If you get pissed at every little mistake well...you won't learn much!
Couch fly as much as possible! If you have access to the plane you're training on, then practice procedures in the cockpit to get you used to the routines...if not then hop on the good old 'rusty springs-hasn't been cleaned since the 70's'- sofa and give it a go in your head! You'll be surprised with the speed at which you progress when you've already been through the procedures several times before stepping in the aircraft.
NO FLIGHT SIM! Flight sim is a useful tool at times for figuring out navigation instruments, but should never be used as a training device for airwork etc. Flight sim gets you in the very bad habit of looking at your instruments to fly.
Most importantly, be patient. The more you accept that things will be rocky at the beginning, the more you will start to notice your subtle improvements, and your confidence will boost rapidly. Whoever said pilots are over confident may have been right, but simply in the sense that they are comfortable with their flying abilities. Cockiness is dangerous, but a little ego boost every now and then after a good flight is perfectly healthy!
Best of luck to you. Flying is by no means for everyone, but in asking advice, you're already off to a very good start. Cheers bud!
Flying a plane is no different from riding a bicycle. It's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.
Meet people. Talk to other pilots and AME's around the airfield. Go drop off a case of pop to the ATC guys in the tower (for some reason they don't let you give them beer 
). Get a ramp or dispatching job when you are close to the end of your PPL. You will learn waaaay more this way, and you will save money too. Find people who can sell you books, headsets, and flight training stuff second hand. Find the old fart who can sell you some block time on his mint condition plane for cheap after you finish your licence. Make friends in the buisiness. I see far too many pilots coming out with a fresh PPL and they don't know anyone in aviation other than their flight instructor and the CFI. Likewise, they just go to and from the airport for training and hardly interact with aviation at all in between. Doing this is a sure recipe to have your PPL gathering dust on a shelf shortly after you earn it. Don't let this be you.
). Get a ramp or dispatching job when you are close to the end of your PPL. You will learn waaaay more this way, and you will save money too. Find people who can sell you books, headsets, and flight training stuff second hand. Find the old fart who can sell you some block time on his mint condition plane for cheap after you finish your licence. Make friends in the buisiness. I see far too many pilots coming out with a fresh PPL and they don't know anyone in aviation other than their flight instructor and the CFI. Likewise, they just go to and from the airport for training and hardly interact with aviation at all in between. Doing this is a sure recipe to have your PPL gathering dust on a shelf shortly after you earn it. Don't let this be you.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the book “Stick and Rudder” it was published in 1946 or something like that. In my opinion its as important as reading the “flight training manual”. If you can find it in a book store or at a flight school read just a couple pages to get an idea of how the author explains what can be some complex things in such a simple way.
You will discover that you can get a lot of reading material for what it will cost you to spend 1 hour in the air. Every book you read will save you a couple hours of flying time on your PPL.
You will discover that you can get a lot of reading material for what it will cost you to spend 1 hour in the air. Every book you read will save you a couple hours of flying time on your PPL.
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victorwooten
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shitdisturber
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I wouldn't go quite that far; there's always the odd instructor like me hanging around who's long since moved on but still instructs once in a while for the fun of it. I don't need or care about your money so I won't blow sunshine up your ass! In fact, I won't be flying with you since I only fly with past students; I have no agenda so you can count on me to be straight with you, since I've got no stake in your training I have no reason to bullshit you. I can't be the only one in this position; someone who instructs because it's fun. Can I?Scuba_Steve wrote: Don't believe a damn thing anyone affiliated with a Flight Training Unit Tells you with respect to the industry, your job possibilties etc. its their job to get you flying with them, the'll blow lots of sunshine up your ass (hey I wouldn't have started flying had I not listened to the tripe myself
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wha happen
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Answers:
1. Start drinking now, it'll help you to build up your tolerance. It'll be worth it in the long run especially your first day on the job when they dump a shot of vodka in your beer and get you floor lickin drunk.
2. you can go down to any comunity center and get pamflets or material on where and when the next AA meeting is happening, refer to answer 1.
3. depends on how the A/C differ from one another. for example a transition from a 150 to a 172 not that big of a deal. A transition from a 150 to a malibu, slightly more complicated.
4. Its not about what your current position is(F/O, Capt., Mop slinger) this job is all about the people you meet and the stories we have. Oh and remember you'll be a pilot soon so you should go and buy yourself a stick so you can beat all the ladies off ya
1. Start drinking now, it'll help you to build up your tolerance. It'll be worth it in the long run especially your first day on the job when they dump a shot of vodka in your beer and get you floor lickin drunk.
2. you can go down to any comunity center and get pamflets or material on where and when the next AA meeting is happening, refer to answer 1.
3. depends on how the A/C differ from one another. for example a transition from a 150 to a 172 not that big of a deal. A transition from a 150 to a malibu, slightly more complicated.
4. Its not about what your current position is(F/O, Capt., Mop slinger) this job is all about the people you meet and the stories we have. Oh and remember you'll be a pilot soon so you should go and buy yourself a stick so you can beat all the ladies off ya
Its the way she goes boys, its the way she goes.
Lets sacrifice him to the crops.
Lets sacrifice him to the crops.
