How do I get started with flight training?

While there are many online resources available these days, from YouTube videos to Ground School apps, we highly recommend you start with these foundational books produced by the FAA:

• The Airplane Flying Handbook.

• The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

All the information you need for your FAA knowledge test and checkride is contained in these volumes, so we highly recommend you start here. Not only are these documents comprehensive and well-written, they are available to download for free. They do get updated periodically, so just make sure to download the latest version from the FAA website.

How long does it take to obtain a pilot’s license?

According to national statistics, the average person will need around 70 hours of flight time, assuming they are training part-time. The best approach is to take at least two, and preferably three, lessons a week. This minimizes the amount of review needed between lessons, and maximizes learning. At this rate, you can obtain your pilot’s license (technically, it’s called a ‘certificate’) in as little as 5-6 months. Bear in mind, however, that for every hour in the air you will need at least 2-3 hours of home study on the ground, so be sure to factor that into your planning.

How can I minimize the cost and time to get my pilot’s license?

We get it - flight training these days has become very expensive. That being said, here are some tried-and-trusted ways to keep those costs as low as possible:

• Study, study, study - before every flight. You may have heard that the airplane is a terrible classroom - and it’s absolutely true. Trying to learn new concepts in the air, while manipulating the airplane’s controls, communicating with ATC, and watching for other traffic, is overwhelming. Gain a thorough understanding of the concepts on the ground first and you will significantly accelerate your progress in the air, thereby saving precious dollars.

• Come prepared for each lesson: know the topics to be covered and complete any homework assignments from your previous lesson.

• Fly as often as you can and try to avoid long gaps between lessons. Flying two to three times a week is best. The longer between lessons, the more you will forget, and the more time will need to be spent reviewing the previous lesson.

• Be sure to get ground instruction from a qualified Flight Instructor. While there is a wealth of information available online these days - including comprehensive ground school providers - nothing substitutes for one-on-one time with an instructor dedicated to your success.

• Become thoroughly familiar with your cockpit on the ground. You want to build muscle memory so that you can locate everything quickly - gauges, levers, avionics. That way, you will feel less overwhelmed in the air - and be able to react more quickly in an emergency. Why not take pictures with your smartphone and review them whenever you have a spare few minutes?

• Practice ‘armchair flying’. All professional pilots do this, from airshow performers to airline pilots. Sit upright in a comfortable chair and practice running through maneuvers, or following checklists. You’ll be amazed how quickly you can build muscle memory, thereby reducing the time to master these skills in the air.

Why should I learn to fly in a taildragger?

Well first and foremost, taildraggers are cool of course…but then we’re biased! On a more serious note, flying in a tailwheel aircraft offers several benefits over learning in the typical nosewheel Cessnas or Pipers you’ll find at most modern flight schools:

• You will develop superior stick and rudder skills. There is little debate in the aviation world about this. Think of it this way…what will make you a more skilled driver - learning in a stick shift or in an automatic? The former requires more concentration and attention to detail…anyone who can drive a stick shift can drive an automatic - but not the other way around! It’s similar with tailwheel vs tricycle-gear pilots.

• Tailwheel aircraft are inherently less stable than those with a nose wheel, making them more challenging (and enjoyable) to fly. Many seasoned pilots will sign up for tailwheel training to sharpen their stick and rudder skills and develop higher flying standards.

• Taildraggers are fun to fly - plain and simple! Many an experienced pilot has renewed their passion for flying by working on a tailwheel endorsement.

• Opportunity - competence in tailwheel flying opens up a whole new world of potential airplanes to fly. Many warbirds and most aerobatic aircraft have tailwheels.

• Differentiation - if you’re looking to stand out in today’s competitive job market, tailwheel experience will get you noticed.

Isn’t flying a small airplane risky or dangerous?

Many people are apprehensive about flying in a small airplane, and this is a question that comes up frequently in social settings. The simple answer is no. The more accurate answer is no, but…it is unforgiving of mistakes and errors. This is why so much attention in flight training focuses on safety procedures and use of checklists. Take a simple analogy…if you have an engine issue with your car, you can just pull over on the side of the road. Not so with an airplane. Nonetheless, many studies have shown that statistically, you are more likely to have an accident on your drive to the airport than while flying!

Do you offer discounts for multiple lessons?

Yes we do. We offer 10% discount on our hourly rates (see Rates) for blocks of 10 lessons paid in advance.

How can I best prepare for transitioning to tailwheel flying?

There are many good resources available, but we highly recommend the following for study prior to your visit:

• The Compleat Taildragger Pilot by Harvey S Plourde.

• Damian DelGaizo's Tailwheel 101 (YouTube video).

• Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying by Wolfgang Langeweische.