Flight training
You'll begin your flight training in earnest on your very first lesson. You'll learn how to inspect the
airplane before you fly and start getting the feel of it as you fly out to the practice area. Your first flights will
teach you how to control the airplane and how to divide your attention inside and outside the cockpit. You'll learn
a number of "ground reference maneuvers" that require you to fly in a precise path over or around some object on the ground.
You'll learn turns and climbs and descents. You'll practice many, many landings with your instructor guiding you through.
One day, though, everything will click. You'll be on top of the game. The winds will be light. The traffic pattern will be
empty. And suddenly your instructor has something else he just has to do. You'll solo -- you will pilot the airplane around
the pattern for your first takeoffs and landings all alone. Of course, your instructor really doesn't have something else to
do -- he's out there watching you. And you can bet that when you get back, he'll be there to cut off your shirttail in
celebration.
After solo, you'll fly some alone and some with your instructor. You'll get practice flying cross-country to other airports, and we'll make certain you're good at all the ways to navigate. Sure, we have GPS equipment, but you're going to be proficient at pilotage and dead reckoning first. You'll explore different airports, you'll go to airports with control towers, you'll fly at night, you'll fly in different weather conditions. We'll show you short fields and grass fields and long miles of paved runways. And always, you'll practice-practice-practice takeoffs and landings.
Ground training
Ground school will give you the understanding necessary to pass your FAA Knowledge Test. You will study basic aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, and flight physiology. Sound intimidating? It's not, really, since you will build your knowledge block by block.
There are several ways to go about ground training. We run a classroom ground school, usually held at night. You'll hear lectures and see demonstrations from all our instructors, as well as have a chance to interact with other students. We'll give you tips on passing the Knowledge Test and make sure you're familiar with the format as well as the subject matter. The popcorn's even hot!
Some people prefer to self-study for the Knowledge Test. Again, we have all the materials you need, from tried-and-true books to new computer based training. As always, we'll work with you to ensure you master it all.
Flight check
When you have passed the Knowledge Test, completed the pre-requisites set out by the Federal Aviation Administration,
and satisfied your flight instructor that you're ready to assume the responsibilities of a safe pilot, you'll be endorsed to
take your final exam -- the flight check. For this, you'll work with an examiner designated by the FAA. He'll give you
an oral exam first, to test your understanding and application of the rules, then you'll demonstrate, in flight, all the
things you've learned. When you're finished, the examiner will write out your new certificate on the spot and you've joined
an elite group. Congratulations!
