A few days ago on Reddit a struggling Student Pilot asked “Is it normal to be this bad”? One response was so thoughtful and sensible I asked permission to “steal” it and share here:
Comparison is the thief of joy. Here are a few suggestions to help you with your training:
Procedure procedure procedure. Write out the exact procedure to do every maneuver. Draw it out. Then chair fly- basically sit in a chair and visualize what you are doing while verbalizing out loud. For instance “I’m reducing the power to 1500 rpm, I’m focusing on the horizon, I’m trimming aft”
Be early to every lesson. If they will let you, have the preflight done before your instructor arrives
Temporarily forget about working on your certificate. Instead focus on just having fun and enjoying the maneuver. How cool is it to fly a plane ridiculously slow? Keep the magic of flight alive
Get good rest before a lesson
Keep training lighthearted. Yes safety is serious business. But aviation should be fun. Have a laugh and keep forging ahead.
Best of luck!
I thought the above was so useful a posted it here. Hope you find value in it too!
“I’m starting at a part 61 school in NJ in January. I have a lot of anxiety surrounding finding a job once i get my licenses. I don’t have a college degree (almost have enough credits for associates) and have no instruction experience. I’ve worked plenty of jobs and currently work at costco. At this point, the only thing i’ll have on my resume are my hours and endorsements.”
I wrote the following reply which seemed to be well received by those who read it (edited slightly):
Be part of the 50% of Private Pilots who get an instrument rating.
The pass rate for checkrides is around 80%. Simple math says about 50% of pilots will get to CFI with no failures. Strive to be one of them. Or at least minimize failures.
If you fail you’ll pay for remedial training and a repeat checkride. “Pre-mediation” is better than remediation.
“Amateurs train until they get it right.
Professionals train until they cannot get it wrong.”
Find a CFI who has at least 2-3 successful clients. Don’t be the first.
Be wary of anyone claiming “instruct to 1,500 and get a job.” Don’t pin your hopes on “1,500” or “mins.” This is a setup for disappointment.
Flying is expensive. Really expensive. You can save a lot by genuinely showing up prepared. Insist your CFI use a syllabus and keep records. You use the syllabus to show up prepared.
Select an online ground school with your CFI. Use the matching syllabus.
Print the ACS and spiral bind it. Buy a PHAK and AFH. Have the spines cut off. When you watch the video, highlight the key info in the “text books.” Look at the ACS to find broad topics.
Buy a Gleim Private Pilot test prep guide. After each broad lesson category highlight the right answers for that category. This becomes your rote memory test prep to augment actual learning.
These suggestions address the three four biggest reasons people fail to become Private Pilots:
-Running out of money; this is totally on you.
-An experienced instructor who’s not burned out will help you avoid a crappy CFI.
-Forcing a syllabus and record keeping provides broader structure that is often missing.
-Poor academic prep. (OK, that’s four).
Good luck.
Me and N4304B about to head back to Peachtree Dekalb Airport north of Atlanta
Fantastic write up, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day 🙂
