How to Learn to Fly a Plane

 

Learning to fly a plane doesn’t need to be difficult. However, if you want to learn to fly well and safely, you’re going to need to spend a bit of money. The best flight training doesn’t come cheap. Saying that, if you’re prepared to put in the work and are dedicated to it, you will be able to pick it up fairly quickly.

What does learning to fly involve?

  • First of all, ask yourself why you want to learn to fly. Is it to fly for pleasure? Or do you want to fly planes professionally? There are different courses available for different goals, so make sure you know why.
  • Once you know why, it’s time to decide when and where. If you’re confident that you’ll be able to pick up the skills quickly then there’s no reason to put it off. Just make sure you do some research into the best training courses available. If you’re really confident there are accelerated flight training courses available that will get you a pilot’s licence in as little as 45 to 50 hours. Make sure you shop around. Call, email or visit different training providers to compare prices and training options available. Don’t rush in with the first one you find. Make sure that they comply with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines
  • Make sure you understand the different licencing options available. If you just want to fly recreationally then a general aviation licence is what you need. If you’re aiming to fly commercially and charge for your services, then you’ll need a professional licence.
  • You will need to pass a basic medical exam before training if you intend to fly larger airplanes such as a Cessna 152.
  • Age limits vary by country. In the UK you have to be over 16 years old for a glider or balloon, over 17 year old for an airplane or helicopter.

How Much will it Cost?

This is a good question. Prices can vary dramatically from company to company. The key thing is to make sure that you are getting good value for money. The more expensive courses will probably get you to your licence more quickly and safely. The cheaper ones may not be so quick or will cut corners with safety. On average, to qualify for a private pilot’s certificate you’ll be looking at upwards of £7000.

What’s Next?

After getting a private pilot’s licence, you’ll be able to take to the skies and enjoy the freedom of feeling like a soaring bird! Apart from the sense of adventure and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment, it also opens the door to further opportunities. If you find that you enjoy flying recreationally, you could always consider turning it into a career and become a commercial pilot. you can also take extra courses to get further ratings on your licence to fly different types of aircraft or do things like fly at night or in poor visibility.