So you want to learn to Fly!

Then why haven’t you?

The answers to that question are many and varied, don’t know where, don’t know how, wife won’t let me, husband won’t let me, too old, too hard, the list goes on and on, but of course these are just excuses and not reasons at all. There is an old saying that states “you only need two things to fly; Airspeed and Money.” However in reality you only need one thing to fly and that is the Desire to do so.
In the past thirty plus years I have pursued flying with a passion at every opportunity and in that time I have flown a myriad of unconventional aircraft; hang gliders, paragliders, microlights and ultralights both homebuilt and factory built. Believe me on many an occasion I’ve been told I must be crazy to fly such a silly contraption. Of course I do not see myself as crazy; indeed the way I look at it is that if a person harbours a desire to fly and simply fumbles through life having never taken the opportunity to taste the freedom of flight then surely that must be madness. I guess the bottom line is that if you have even the slightest inkling to fly then you owe it to yourself to take that first step and give it a go.

So you have the Desire!

What’s next?

It is time to take the first step. Pick up the phone and call your local flying school, they are not hard to find, check the web or look in the yellow pages; try looking under “flying schools” you may be surprised how many professional schools are out there. Whilst on the phone ask all those nagging questions, remember if you don’t know the answer then it’s not a silly question. Also remember that you are calling to finally take a step towards your first flight and to that end you should attempt to make some form of initial commitment.
If you were impressed with the attitude and the answers you received then your commitment may be in the form of booking for a trial instructional flight (TIF), however if you are still a little uncertain of the school or the type of aircraft they use your commitment would simply be to make an appointment to visit the training facility and meet with an instructor.
It may seem easier to just take a drive out to the local airfield and see what’s happening however this can prove frustrating as the place may be deserted due to poor weather, a club fly-away, a navigation course or any other of a number of reasons. On the other hand the airfield may be alive with activity yet you can find no one to talk to you as all the instructors are busy with pre-booked students. Even if you do not yet wish to commit to a trail flight at least make an appointment to speak with an instructor, you may indeed have to visit a couple of schools before you find the environment, the aircraft and the instructor which makes you feel relaxed and comfortable about flying.

So you have made contact with a Flying School!

What is a “Trail Instructional Flight”?

A “Trail Instructional Flight” (TIF) is for most people their first introduction to flying or for those that may have already tasted flight it is an introduction to a different type of aircraft than they have previously flown in. All schools offer trial flights and although length of flight and costs will be varied all flights should be structured so as to give you a sound foundation on which to build future flying.
For your comfort and relaxation the instructor may ask you to arrive at the airfield early morning so as to take advantage of smooth air and hence make your first flight as rewarding and constructive as possible. As a guide you should expect a short pre-flight briefing, this is not a lengthy classroom lecture, simply an introduction to the aircraft you will be flying in, its safety features, control systems, how to enter and exit the aircraft, what to expect during the take-off, flight and landing and also what will be expected of you.
An average trial flight will give you around 20 to 30 minutes of flying in which time your instructor should demonstrate the effects of controls and then allow you to attempt the same. The flight itself should be very much a hands-on experience teaching you some of the basics of flying but at the same time it should be exciting, it should be fun and above all it should leave you wanting more.
During the flight your instructor should prove capable of giving clear, precise instructions and explanations leaving you with no doubt as to their ability to teach you to fly. The bottom line is you must have confidence in your instructor, the aircraft used and the training environment. The trial flight is a good time to asses if this particular school is suitable to fulfill your desire to fly.
Upon completion of the trail flight there should be a short de-brief and during this time you should ask any questions either left un-answered or arising from your first taste of flight. Your instructor should finish by freely offering information and handouts on lesson and pricing structure and be most encouraging of you to continue on with flying lessons.

At long last you’ve taken the First Step!

What now?

Well the rest is up to you, if you had the initial desire then your trial flight should have increased that plus given you the motivation to continue with lessons and work towards your Pilot Certificate. Choose your flying school wisely, avoid package deals that promise the world and large lump sum up front payments, but don’t be afraid to pay for quality instruction, it will last you a life time! Good luck and safe, fun flying to all.

Larry