In 2019 I began studying aviation and quickly developed a new passion. While earning my private pilot certificate, I continually wanted to share my experiences with others which lead me to become an advanced ground instructor. What follows is an introductory set of preparatory information I believe every student pilot should be presented with before they begin their training. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a pilot, or are just curious about airmanship in general, I hope this guide helps you on your journey.
Choose a path:
Part 61
vs.
Part 141
There are two flight training paths one can take to earning an entry level pilot certificate.
Part 141 is a structured school with a specific timeline and pedagogy.

Part 61 allows the student a lot of freedom and flexibility in their training, but could be more expensive in the long run. Going this route allows the student to train on their own schedule and choose their own instructor(s).
Part 141 might seem like a large cost upfront and the time constraints will be more strict, but for some it is a better option.
Money Matters
It is certainly not an inexpensive endeavor. Don’t pay attention to any estimates on the cost that you hear or read online. This is a highly personal training experience (especially in the case of Part 61) and everyone will have their own individual journey with a great number of common elements.
Expect to spend thousands, but it really will never end if you continue to exercise your flying privileges. There are a lot of hidden costs that just pop up, like materials or equipment you weren’t aware you would need: your own headset, updated sectional charts, a current copy of the FAR/AIM, a paper E-6B flight computer as well as a digital one and possibly your own ADS-B “in” system or personal carbon monoxide monitor…
Medical Certification
This area is tricky and often times a problem for many pilots. What many people don’t realize is that in addition to a pilot certificate (pilot’s license), to act as a pilot in command of most aircraft you will need a medical certification as well.
This is basically a clearance from an aviation medical examiner that you are physically and mentally competent to be in charge of an aircraft. The FAA is notorious for making this process very complicated for some pilots and a great number of things can pose issues. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, it’s best to get this out of the way very early in your training.
Theory/
Knowledge
There are a number of areas of expertise you will need to develop to be a proficient and safe pilot in addition to flying the plane. When you are up there, it’s just you and the machine, so you will have to be part physicist, part mechanic, meteorologist, radio operator, navigator and physician. These are just some areas you will study on paper in addition to practical application in the cockpit.
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- The rules and regulations governing aviation operations and certifications 

- Basic Aerodynamics (duh)
- Weather theory and related aviation practices
- Aeromedical
- Aeronautical decision making
- Navigation and flight planning
- Aircraft performance, Weight and Balance calculations
It is a very well rounded skill set. There is a decent amount of math involved, but not terribly complex. However, the world’s best pilots are up there, flying around points of reference while doing trigonometry in their head. Luckily, you won’t have to do that unless you want to try it someday.
Weather
This took some getting used to. You are at the mercy of mother nature when it comes to training. Expect well over half of your scheduled flights and lessons to be canceled due to weather. It is good to help teach you patience. Although it seems daunting to the budget conscious student, you should schedule as many lessons as you can when you have time available, because half or more will be canceled due to cloud ceilings, high wind or aircraft maintenance/availability. It’s probably best to start with that approach, because you’ll eventually wind up there as you get closer to your check-ride (practical exam). Even if the weather is still legally fly-able, yet just outside your skill envelope, you won’t be learning or practicing anything; you’ll just be fighting to stay “ahead” of the airplane in addition to wasting your money. Not to mention, likely scaring the shit out of yourself, which can be a valuable lesson (or a deadly one).
Practice
Learning to fly an airplane is a bit like learning to play a musical instrument; you have your theory and then you have your practice. Just like with music, you will need to practice and reinforce your skills to the point where your knowledge wraps around, connecting with your abilities and control inputs become second nature. Flying is not like driving a car, so you will need to break some habits as well as develop a “feel” for your specific aircraft. The control response is rather different from an automobile and is influenced by a number of dynamic factors. Once again, this is another area where you are at the mercy of the weather.
Currency is not proficiency
Pilots must remain legally “current” to exercise many privileges. For private pilots, they must undergo a flight review with an instructor every 24 months. To fly at night, to fly passengers, rent aircraft or pilot certain types of aircraft, they must maintain a recency of experience, or revisit these areas with an instructor. Again, these are based on published minimums. For this reason, “currency” does not equal proficiency. You never want to gamble on anything in aviation if you are less than proficient in that area.
Don’t rush it!
A note about patience. When we first start the training, it’s easy to plot a timeline and a budget, but it’s best not to. This should not and cannot be rushed. Proper, effective training should actually change your entire thought process about a lot of things outside of aviation. Flying is a very unforgiving activity and the wrong approach, attitudes, or information has cost many people their lives. Don’t let the minimum requirements for certification or the certification standards serve as your checklist for goals or abilities. As a pilot you should ALWAYS be seeking new knowledge and skills while reinforcing those you already have. Those minimums are just that: minimums, and often times the FAA sets them rather low, even if they don’t seem that way to the new student.
Instructors: Find the Right Fit
Don’t be afraid to shop your flight instructor (Part 61). A lot of instructors may be phenomenal pilots, but not the best teachers. Part of the path to the “majors” (airline gig) for commercial pilots is becoming a CFI to help build hours and get a few bucks while doing so. As a result, some instructors are really out for their own benefit first and foremost. Your instruction is your responsibility at the end of the day. They are there to guide you and keep you safe, but it will require you to be vigilant, organized and eager to learn as much as possible.
Airplanes
Most students will be renting aircraft to train in. Be aware that these planes may look old and beat up, but airplanes never lose airworthiness if properly maintained by the standards set forth by the FAA. The majority of my training was done in an airplane that was close to 50 years old with the bare minimum equipment that had duct tape holding together part of the dashboard. Don’t let the appearance scare you. Get to know your airport’s maintenance crew, get to know the airplanes you will be flying. Learn about inspection requirements and schedules. Check them for yourself. You will need to demonstrate this to your examiner, anyway.
Final Words
​Most pilot candidates doing Part 61 training do their ground and flight training together, and take their written exams close to their check ride, but others prefer to get their ground and written work out of the way first. It depends on you: how you learn and organize yourself. If you are in need of a ground instructor to get you started, a little extra help calculating your density altitude, or need an hour of ground for your biennial review, contact me and I’d be thrilled to help!
Below are a few recommended YouTube channels that are excellent supplemental resources:
Bold Method (study tool):
ACS library (helps with test prep):
Blancolerio (civil aviation accident review and prevention):