Are you thinking about starting flight training? Here's what you can do right now to get ready.
1) Ride Along On Flight Lessons
One of the best things you can do right away is ask your flight school how you can begin shadowing a few flight lessons. Pay attention to the progression of each lesson. Keep a checklist in-hand, and learn what the student and instructor do from start to finish during a flight.
2) Practice With Flight Simulators
Flight simulators will develop your hand-eye coordination skills and aviation knowledge. If you don't want to buy a full desktop simulator, try a flight simulator app on your phone. It's a great way to expose yourself to basic flight principles and aerodynamics.
3) Network With Pilots You Know
Connect with family friends, relatives, and pilots you can contact online. Ask them what they'd recommend to get started. Take in every piece of advice they give you, and learn what their career track was like.
4) Listen To Live ATC
Learning the language of pilots and air traffic controllers is tough for most students. Get started by listening to busy radio frequencies at general aviation airports like Van Nuys (KVNY), Teterboro (KTEB), or Denver's Centennial (KAPA).
5) Take Our Quizzes
We have hundreds of free quizzes to test your knowledge. New quizzes are posted weekly!
6) Memorize The Phonetic Alphabet
The ICAO phonetic alphabet is used in aviation for almost everything. Memorize each letter and its corresponding name. Don't forget about special number pronunciations like: 3 ("Tree"), 5 ("Fife"), and 9 ("Niner").
One of the best ways you can learn quickly is by spelling out license plates or street signs aloud as you pass by them on the road. If you see the license plate BGY-367, say out loud "Bravo-Golf-Yankee-Tree-Six-Seven."
7) Get Your Medical Certificate
Depending on the privileges of flight and your age, a medical certificate may be valid for up to 5 years. Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) near you and get the medical certificate out of the way.
If you're planning to follow a professional path in aviation, we recommend obtaining a first or second class medical. They have increased requirements, and the testing will ensure nothing will medically disqualify you when you're progressing through your training.
8) Read Our Articles
For years, we've published free training articles to help you learn some of the most complex and challenging topics you'll face as a pilot. Start by reading our articles about aerodynamics, traffic patterns, weather, and systems if you're a new student.
Thinking about becoming a pilot? Get started with UND Aerospace Phoenix, and find out what it takes to start your aviation career here.
Become a better pilot.
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