Flying the globe under the control of some of the world's most advanced aircraft is, for many, their dream job. But the path to a career as a pilot is not an easy one, with many obstacles to overcome. Here are some pilots tips to get started.
Making yourself a better pilot is something every professional pilot constantly strives to work on. Is there a magic list of things to do to master the skills? Not right. Every pilot is different and there is no specific personality or skill set required that you require to become a good pilot. What distinguishes the great from the average is a constant evolution. We've put together our list of pilots’ tips to make you a better pilot.
5 Top Pilots’ Tips
1. Get into “airplane mode”
Before you attach yourself to the plane and take off, give your flight some thought and planning. Just like the "Airplane Mode" button on your smartphone, you just switch your brain to planes. Do not think of anything other than your flight. One of the best pilot tips is not to let life distract you or get in the way of a good flight. If you can't clear your mind of disturbing thoughts and don't feel that your head is in the game, don't fly.
2. Fill the holes in your knowledge
It is a pity that we, as human beings, are not a computer full of knowledge. Our brains are great things but sometimes, we come across something that we don't understand or don't quite remember. If you are not sure about something, double-check it and make sure you know the answer 100 percent. Good pilots will never assume.
3. Be precise
In aviation, precision when it comes to flying makes the difference between piloting an aircraft a certain way and flying it roughly. By striving for precision airspeed, altitude, and positions, the aircraft is just where you want it. While determining a "precise" number is extremely difficult and nearly impossible, striving for it is always better than getting an "approximate", because that's not how a plane is supposed to fly.
4. Be smooth and love your airplane
It is unlikely that the smoothly steered plane will find itself in the wrong place. Airplanes do not react well to disturbing flight. Acting smoothly and precisely means that changes in posture, strength, and formations are made through many moves, which are woven together into one big change rather than one big change made all at once. Lots of smooth movements will reduce your chances of over-shooting this position to nearly zero.
5. Understand the airplane’s aerodynamics
Most pilots will have a basic knowledge of why the plane flies and how it works; However, few of them will have a deep understanding of the subtle differences that tie so many aerodynamic factors together, leading to flight. You don't have to go for an aerospace engineering degree, but you should read about the effects of the angle of attack and the implications of the way control surfaces alter the wing and tail cams.
While this is not a complete list of a magic set of strategies to practice, it is a good start! By the time you get over these tips, you'll likely have stumbled upon your own tips along the way.
How to be a better pilot?
The basic fact that much of this “Make Yourself a Better Pilot” advice has been brought forward to generation after generation of pilots. One of the golden pilots tips is that coaches find many of the same problems passed on through those generations, same as 30 years ago. Therefore, the concept behind this list is simple: if you follow all or most of them, your skill will improve dramatically. It's no more complicated than that and never was.
Understand what "planning ahead" actually means for each flight situation
If a student hears the phrase "plan for the future" once, they hear it a thousand times. Unfortunately, once the license is issued, there will be no one left to repeat this all-important phrase. Therefore, they must say that to themselves. They must also realize that it means different things at different times. Planning is clearly essential for a fuel stop. Perhaps it is not clear that downwind you need to look ahead and plan where to place the base leg and where the flaps will be extended. At the same time, you need to assess the effects of the winds and how you will modify the different parts of the approach. The same is true of all other stages of flight. You need to have your head well in front of the plane at all times.
If you travel less than 35 hours a year, make each trip an educational experience
Admittedly, every flight in your aviation career must be an effort to make it better than the previous one. However, if you do not travel regularly, it is imperative that every trip includes factors that help you stay efficient. Even if you are just going to eat hamburgers, plan the trip to include two different types of landings (short field, soft field), make at least one landing a touch and go so you can get more touchdowns per hour. Even if it's just a short trip to a local field, check your takeoff time, and set an estimated arrival time in your head. Do everything you can on every journey to expand your boundaries and maintain your efficiency. Don't just get out and drone to learn something.
Make your landings more accurate
One of the best pilots tips is to make it a personal goal you'll always try to reach within the first 600-800 feet of the runway, regardless of its length. The goal is to be comfortable when landing on a 2,000-foot runway. If the average light aircraft touches a short distance of 800 feet, it will need little or no braking to stop the remaining 2,000 feet. We are not looking for carriers' landings that hit numbers every time. Just come on the numbers with reasonable altitude and speed and 2,000 feet (the shortest we usually see) you'd have no thinking.
Take at least a double hour once a year
Everyone, regardless of how much they fly, becomes too comfortable or develops bad habits. This is the theory behind BFR, flight checks, and other frequent screening programs. But two years is a long time. Why not go out with a coach once a year, because it is an "informal" trip and there will be no pressure to "pass". Focus on pattern making, since model animation takes every aspect of your flying skills, except for navigation, and puts them together.
Land on strange airports just for practice
If you have been traveling for at least a year and reside in the local area, it is easy to become an Airport Private. You are so used to your airport that the new airports feel weird. The way to deal with this is to actively search for new airports. Your goal might be to land at every airport in your county, state, or local area. The more unusual airports you have, the more skillful and adaptive you are. And of course, you'll land in the first 600-800 feet, right?
Take three hours of aerobatic instruction
You don't have to plan to challenge Patty Wagstaff, but acrobatic training will make you a better, more confident, safer, and aware pilot. No, it won't help you, if the 747 flips on your back, but getting training means you'll be correcting before the 747 puts you in this position. Besides, it's a huge amount of fun and may open up a whole new world for you.
Visualize all flight paths
In pattern and across the country, be aware of your own ground path and constantly visualize the path you want the plane to fly. Then have her fly along that specific path.
Also, Read:
Apps for Pilots: The Top helpful Smart mobile applications
Pilot Interviews: How to be prepared for your Dream Job interview?
Most pilots require medical certificates to fly. Some pilots, such as sports pilots and balloon pilots, are not required to obtain a medical certificate for flying. However, the rest need to pass an aviation medical examination to legally take advantage of the benefits of their test certificates. That is Why should you get a medical check before studying aviation?
Aviation medical exams can be a concern for many. Will you pass? What exactly is the examiner looking for? Are you looking good enough? Should you reveal some health problems in the forms? What happens if you don’t pass?
There are a lot of questions about the aviation medical examination. Even the healthiest people get nervous before an exam. The good news is that most applicants pass the test - sometimes it takes some time.
Why should you get a medical check before studying aviation?
In order for a plane to be operated legally, all pilots must have an existing medical certificate. This certificate is obtained through a medical examination. A medical examination is necessary to ensure that the holder of the pilot's license (is still) insufficient health to operate the aircraft properly.
There are 3 classes and they are categorized as follows:
Class 1 medical is for Commercial pilots (CPL (A), ATPL (A))
Class 2 medical is for Private Pilots (PPL), Balloonists (BPL), or Sailplane Pilots (SPL)
Class 3 medical is for Air Traffic Controllers
Do Your Research
Why should you get a medical check before studying aviation? If you are fit and healthy, don't worry. However, most pilots have some minor health errors. If you do, you should check whether any of these problems will exclude you. Others may ask you to get a special medical certificate. Having one will give your doctor important information about your health.
Are you worried about a specific medical condition? Make sure that you prepare yourself by doing some research before you prepare for your appointment. The FAA Online Medical Examination Guide contains information you can find about some health problems. There are also plenty of other resources available online for free that can guide you in the right direction.
What the Examiner Will Do?
The student will undergo a medical examination by a doctor accredited by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority, who will be the only one authorized to set the necessary standards.
More than 90% of all applicants pass the medical examination because it only determines the general health of the applicant and their physical ability to become pilots.
The examiner will verify your identity after registration and forms are complete, and will review information related to your health history. They may also notify you if there are any details that may delay you from obtaining your medical certificate. It will determine the specific type of aviation medical certificate to which the severity of the test is advanced. Third-class medical examinations are the least intrusive, while the First-class medical examinations require a deeper examination.
Types of Aviation Medical Exams
Usually, applicants under the age of 40 must undergo the simplest third-class medical examination. This entails examining your eyesight, including peripheral vision, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and color vision. The examiner will also perform an audition test to determine if you are able to hear on a basic level.
Before performing a general physical procedure, the examiner will check with you the following:
Health problems
pharmaceutical
Surgeries you've had in the past
Previous doctor visits
Urine analysis will also be done for the examiner. This helps to identify any diseases, blood or proteins in the urine. Expect your blood pressure to be checked, as well as questions about your general mental health.
Some medical requirements (for example, vision and hearing standards) differ for first and second-class medical certificates, but in general, the testing for each class is very similar. First-class medical examinations must be performed more frequently and require the applicant to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) annually if they are over the age of 40.
First-Class Medical Certificate
Who needs one?
First-class medical certificates are a requirement for air transport pilots. Any pilot exercising the privileges of an air transport pilot must receive and maintain a first-class medical certificate in order to fly the airlines' aircraft scheduled under CFR 14 Part 121.
What is the duration period?
For airline pilots or those who otherwise require the maintenance of a first-class medical certificate, the valid period of the medical certificate is six months for those aged 40 or over, or 12 months for pilots under the age of 40.
Pilot with a first-class medical certificate can benefit from second class medical benefits (commercial pilots) for 12 months, regardless of their age. A pilot with a first-class medical certificate can benefit from third-class medical benefits for 24 months if any of them is 40 years old or older, or 60 months if he or she is less than 40 years old.
Second-Class Medical Certificate
Who needs one?
Pilots who exercise commercial pilot privileges need at least a second-class medical certificate. In addition, flight engineers, navigators, and air traffic controllers are required to maintain a second class medical certificate.
What is the duration period?
The Second Class medical certificates are valid for its pilots’ holder for 12 months. A pilot with a second-class medical certificate can exercise third-class medical benefits for 24 months if he or she is 40 years old or older, or 60 months if he or she is less than 40 years old.
Third-Class Medical Certificate
Who needs one?
Student pilots, recreational pilots, private pilots and aviation instructors who work as a pilot (or work as a required crewmember) need at least a third-class medical degree.
What is the duration period?
The third-class medical certificate is valid for 24 months if you are 40 years old or older, or for 60 months if you are less than 40 years old.
Also, read:
Which certificate to obtain: Different types of pilot licenses
If you are passionate about flying and hoping to become a pilot one day, you should probably start learning the distinction between the different types of pilot licenses to decide which is the right one for you.
However, before starting your quest, It should be noted that what we usually call a pilot’s license is technically a pilot’s certificate. There are different types of pilot licenses (certificates) and each one determines the types of aircraft the pilot is allowed to fly, the travel distance, the time they’re allowed to fly (Day / Night), and much more.
This is a summarized overview of 7 different types of pilot licenses and the requirements to obtain each, in order to help you decide which one you really seek.
Student Pilot Certificate
If you are interested in beginning a journey to become a pilot, this certificate should be the first one you get. A student pilot certificate is not a must to start taking lessons; however, it allows you to fly under certain circumstances, one of which is the presence of an instructor, passenger-carrying is prohibited though.
It is also a necessary step to obtain higher pilot certification. Student Pilot Certificate is basically a learner's permit for being a future pilot. Among the qualifications you need to have for obtaining a student pilot license is being at least 16 years old, and able to read/speak/understand the English language.
Sport Pilot Certificate
The Sport Pilot Certificate is also one of the easiest to earn among the various pilot certificates. If you are willing to start flying small aircraft until you move on to a more advanced certificate, The Sport Pilot Certificate is your optimal choice.
This certificate is used to fly certain aircraft that fall under the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. This category includes small airplanes with up to 2 seats. Getting a Sport Pilot Certificate comes with simple and easy requirements, a total of only 20 flying hours are needed, with 5 of those hours being solo and the other 15 being with an instructor. In addition to the flying hours, a pilot must pass a sport pilot knowledge test and sport pilot practical test.
This certificate is restricted though, with this license, a pilot is only allowed to fly aircraft under a certain weight, fly at an altitude of fewer than 10,000 feet, fly only during the day, and fly only in a specific airspace.
Recreational Pilot Certificate
The Recreational Pilot Certificate is a good option for people who want to fly short flights as a hobby but want to do so in larger aircraft instead of a Light-Sport Aircraft.
Although the Recreational Pilot Certificate is, by far, the least popular, it is still an option for anyone who wants a quicker flight training experience. This certificate is the next step up from the Sport Pilot Certificate but is not a full Private Pilot Certificate.
The Recreational Pilot Certificate still has many limitations including flights being less than 50 nautical miles of the departure airport and flying is only allowed during the day.
Private Pilot Certificate (PPL)
Private Pilot Certificate is definitely the one you should consider if the restrictions of the sport and recreational certificates sound too limiting to you. This certificate is the standard pilot’s license for people who want to continue their ratings to fly bigger, faster airplanes (or even helicopters), travel long distances with family and friends, and fly often at the time of their choice.
You can earn your private pilot certificate after getting the student pilot certificate, it allows you to do much more than the previously mentioned certificates. This includes flying with passengers, flying into airports, and the ability to fly most airplanes.
The requirements for obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate include much more training and a medical exam. The training includes over 35 hours of flight time which includes flying solo and at least 20 hours’ worth of training with an instructor, flying at night, take-offs, landings, cross-country, and more.
Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL)
All of the previously-mentioned types of pilot licenses are good if you’re just looking to get in a little recreational flying every weekend, but they are not enough to start your career as a pilot. Moreover, if you'd like to fly airliners, fly airshows, fly charters, tow gliders or banners for money, conduct aerial tours, or become a flight instructor, you must earn your Commercial Pilot Certificate.
This certificate allows you to get paid for the transport of people or goods, which you may not do with a Private Pilot Certificate. In order to get a commercial pilot’s license you must be 18 years old, already hold at least a private pilot license, train with an authorized instructor, have the proper medical and knowledge test clearances, and have logged at least 195 hours of flight time.
Flight Instructor Certificate
Flight Instructor Certificate is a versatile one that helps you make money via lessons while preparing you to qualify for an Airline Transport Pilot License, with part of the class centered on flight theory.
This certificate allows you to gain experience, record more flight hours, and get paid as a flight instructor while you work towards becoming a commercial airline pilot. As a flight instructor, you can train pilots, conduct flight reviews, and issue endorsements required for pilot certificates, ratings, knowledge tests, and check rides.
Qualifications for flight instructor certificate include being 18 years old, being fluent in English, holding a commercial license, and passing a fundamental of instruction and instructor knowledge exams.
Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP)
The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) is the pinnacle of pilot certificates. If it's your wildest dream to be one of the people taking to the skies to transport goods and people across oceans and continents, this is the license you’ll want to strive towards.
Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is not a license that one can qualify for overnight. That's because you need a minimum of 1500 hours of experience piloting planes with at least 250 of them being a pilot-in-command of the aircraft. Additionally, you must be at least 23 years old and have a commercial pilot license. There are many other requirements besides these most basic ones, with several exams and certifications required as well.
However, when you get there and hold this certificate, you really become the captain you want to be.
Also Read:
The best job in the world: Pilot salaries
Every flight school around the world tends to use a specific type of trainer aircraft that is in tune with its vision and the way it conducts training. But what is exactly a trainer aircraft and how does it differ from other aircrafts? Also, what are the most famous types of trainer aircraft with flight schools? That is what you’re going to learn while reading this article.
A trainer aircraft is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrew. It has certain characteristics such as the additional safety features like tandem flight controls and a simplified cockpit arrangement. Those characteristics allow trainers to safely advance their piloting and navigation skills.
Commercial pilots are normally trained in a light aircraft, with two or more seats to allow for a student and an instructor. The seats are either side by side for the pilot and instructor, or it's in tandem where the pilot is in front and the instructor behind.
So here is the most popular trainer aircraft used in different flight schools around the world:
Cessna 172
Also known as "The Cessna Skyhawk", The Skyhawk is the most produced aircraft ever as over 44,000 airframes were built since 1955. It is also the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built. With standout flight characteristics, a sophisticated glass cockpit outfitted with G1000 avionics, slow landing speed, great visibility, and a forgiving stall - the Cessna Skyhawk is a flight training ideally suited for student pilots. The 172 was based on an earlier Cessna design called the 170. Yet, The 172's design was so clean and aerodynamic that Cessna’s marketing department called it the “land-o-matic” because it was so easy to fly and land.
Diamond DA40
The Diamond DA40 Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials and built-in both Austria and Canada by Austrian company Diamond Aircraft Industries. Its safe handling characteristics make it an ideal primary training aircraft and its modern design allow for a cruise speed in excess of 140 knots. The excellent visibility from the cockpit along with the traffic awareness provided by the Garmin G1000 greatly enhances safety, especially when flying in congested airspace. The DA40 was the first to use G1000, which is now the standard in new aircraft.
Diamond DA42
The Diamond DA42 Twin is Diamond's first twin-engine design, as well as the first new European twin-engine aircraft in its category to be developed in over 25 years. This propeller-driven airplane with four-seats and two engines allows pilots to have a backup engine in case one of the engines would fail in flight which guarantees a high safety level. The DA42 offers the ultimate in handling, stability, and control, ease of operation and structural, system and propulsion redundancies, all coupled with a high degree of crashworthiness.
Additionally, The DA42 is the first diesel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to perform a non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic. It is equipped with active and passive safety features which help to avoid accidents in the first place and to minimize the probability and degree of injury.
Piper PA-28 Cherokee
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is one of the most worldwide well-known low-wing, training airplanes. Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of two-seat or four-seat light aircraft built by Piper Aircraft and designed for flight training, air taxi and for personal use. The PA-28 family of aircraft comprises all-metal, unpressurized, single-engine, piston-powered airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. Piper PA-28 family has a single door on the right side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.
Cirrus SR20
The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engine, four-or-five-seat aircraft composite monoplane built by Cirrus Aircraft. The SR20 is popular with many flight schools and is operated by private individuals and companies. Produced from 1999, The SR20 was one of the first aircraft to offer "advanced technology" avionics, and this was a whole new effort in-flight instructor training and awareness for students. The SR20 was the first aviation aircraft equipped with a parachute to lower the airplane safely to the ground after a loss of control, structural failure or mid-air collision.
Cirrus SR22
Cirrus SR22 is one of the most produced and best selling aircraft of the 21st century. It is a single-engine, four-or-five-seat composite aircraft built from 2001 by Cirrus Aircraft. Cirrus SR22 is a development of the Cirrus SR20, with a larger wing, higher fuel capacity, and a more powerful engine. However, both are equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), which can lower the entire aircraft to the ground relatively gently in an emergency.
To learn more about flight training see also:
How much does it cost to become a pilot?
References:
www.diamondaircraft.com
www.osmaviationacademy.com
www.flyingmag.com
www.airforce-technology.com
calaero.edu
www.thissideupaviation.com
www.piperflyer.org
www.bankofaircraft.com
nationalinterest.org
www.airforce-technology.com
cirrusaircraft.com
Some people shy away from studying aviation because it is known to be a costly education, but how much does it really cost to become a pilot?
And most importantly, is this education a profitable investment? When you compare the cost to the benefits, do you come out with a good profit?
The benefits of becoming a pilot are widely well-known: you get one of the best salaries in the world, you gain a lot of prestige and you travel the world for a living.
If we already know the benefits, all that’s missing is the cost, so let’s find that out.
Types of flight training
Before we talk about the price you need to know the different types of flight training available in the world, and which is considered better and why.
Integrated training
Integrated flight training is a full-time commercial flight training course. In integrated training, all the program is completed with the same flight training organization. Because all the training is done with the same establishment it is usually shorter than modular training. A full time integrated course usually takes between 18 months and 2 years. And the student is qualified to take a CPL exam after that, if they pass the exam they get the license.
In addition to that, students who complete integrated flight training can complete the course with fewer flight hours than the number of hours required if completing it through modular training.
Because this is High quality, intensive training, many airlines prefer to hire students from integrated training courses.
Modular training
Modular flight training means completing your flight training one step at a time. It’s usually cheaper than integrated training, but it often takes years. That is why it is usually the route people take when they learn aviation as a hobby, not a career. You can take modular training while working a full-time job in any other field.
Keep in mind that in modular training you will be required to buy your books and materials, which do not come cheap, as well as some equipment such as a headset, which is definitely not cheap.
Another important point is that prices change, so the overall cost may change while you are working on your modules.
Modular flight training is usually done in the following order:
Private Pilots Licence (PPL)
Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL)
Hour Building
Commercial Pilots Licence
Type Rating
Studying aviation around the world: How much does it cost?
Let’s take a quick tour around the world and find the cost of aviation training in different countries. Keep in mind though that this cost does not include accommodation or transportation, so if you do not already live in one of those countries you have to add those costs as well.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in the USA?
The cost of becoming a CPL certified pilot starts from $70,000 in the USA. Add to that the cost of getting an ATPL, and the cost of flying the required 1500 hours to be eligible for applying to airline positions and the cost comes to around $200,000. However, it may cost much more if the student takes some time to finish all the required licenses and ratings.
The plane used the most for training in the USA is Cessna, either Cessna 152 or Cessna 172.
Some integrated training programs charge even more than this, but as mentioned earlier, integrated training costs more but yields faster and better results.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in the UK?
In the UK, it takes around two years and can cost over $127,000 to get the commercial Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Unlike the USA, an integrated course in the UK often costs less than a modular one, but not by much. For instance, it now costs around £ 90,000 and takes around 18 months to get an ATPL through an integrated program.
On another note, however, the cost of living in the UK is much higher than in most other countries. That is why it is considered a costly option for non-residents.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in Australia?
To get a Commercial Pilot Licence in Australia, you can get integrated training for around $65,000. The integrated training program takes 18 months.
Of course after this CPL you still need to train further to get your IR, ATPL, to be ready for an airline job, this will double the overall cost.
It is also noteworthy to mention that while the accommodation may be a bit cheaper than the UK, transportation is much more expensive.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in India?
In India, you have to pass 6 written exams before you can start flight training. The flight training itself costs around $86,000, however, this largely depends on the duration of the training which varies greatly from one place to another.
A common problem in Indian training centers is the lack of training aircraft, they are often so few that students have to wait in line to finish their required training hours.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in South Africa?
It takes around 18 months and costs around $50,000 to get your CPL in South Africa. Keep in mind though that you will need further training and certificates to get a job in an airline, like instrument rating and type rating, for example, type rating alone would cost you another $50,000.
And of course, transportation to and from South Africa will make a considerable sum if you do not live in a nearby country.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in Saudi Arabia?
It takes around two years to get your CPL and your Type Rating in Saudi Arabia. OxfordSaudia is the only academy in the world to offer the Type Rating program along with the CPL program, this makes graduates employable as soon as they graduate.
To learn more about fees and installments see: FEES AND METHOD OF PAYMENTS
To learn more about becoming a pilot see also:
Want to be a captain? This is how you become a successful pilot
Captain pilot: A glimpse into the life of pilots
References:
Integrated vs. Modular pilot training. What’s the difference?
Have you ever wondered how to become a pilot?
FIRST IN CLASS How to become a pilot and how much it costs to train, according to a British Airways pilot
Steep training-course fees are keeping new pilots out of the cockpit – and you stranded at the airport
How do I train to be a pilot?
How much it costs to get a pilot licence in South Africa
