If you are interested in learning to fly you have no doubt had a chat to a pilot prior to investigating further, and undoubtedly when you ask that pilot about the advantages of being able to fly, most pilots will share with you the personal sense of freedom that it offers. There are very few things in this world that can recreate the freedom of aviation, the blissful feeling of being in control of something that humans are not designed to do naturally. When we are flying, we really are defying the laws of nature.
This creates a real sense of wonder and power which can very quickly become addictive. For most pilots, nothing brings as much joy as taking to the skies!
When it comes time to embark on your first flying lesson, you will be very excited and maybe a little anxious to get started. There is a lot to learn on the ground and in the air, but don’t worry, you are in safe hands with your instructor.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from your first flying lesson with PanAir.
Pre-flight Briefing
Your journey to becoming a pilot will always begin outside the aircraft. It is very important to take the time to understand the theoretical basics of flying before you step foot in the aircraft. The theory portion of flight training is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most critical phases of your journey learning to fly.
Our experienced, helpful instructors w
ill spend half an hour or more with you in the classroom going through the basics of aerodynamics, explaining what you can expect during your flight and answering any questions you may have. As soon as the briefing is completed, your instructor will take you to the aircraft to begin the pre-flight inspection.
Taking to the Skies
Now you have been briefed on what to expect from your flight, it’s time to fly! The average first flight lesson takes around 1 hour to complete. During the flight, your instructor will first demonstrate a certain task and talk you through what you need to do, slowly and thoroughly. As soon as you are ready, they will let you take over and watch as you complete the task yourself. This hands-on experience is an incredible feeling. Throughout the flight, you will be taught different manoeuvres, each of which you will complete after the instructor has demonstrated them to you. The feeling of accomplishment is incredible and of course, the entire process is under them watchful eye of your flight instructor so you are completely safe at all times.
Post-Flight Debriefing
After the aircraft has touched down and you are back on the ground, your instructor will accompany you back to the classroom for a 30-minute post-flight debrief. During this session, your instructor will give you honest feedback on how your flight was. They will assess your ability to complete the tasks during the flight and will connect the material you learned in the pre-flight briefing with your experience in the sky. Take the time to ask your instructor any questions you might have on the feedback o
r about your flight. You will then make your first log book entry into your flight log book and record the details of your flight!
Next Steps
There’s no doubt that you will be full of excitement now that you have completed your very first flight. Speak to your instructor about what your next steps should be. They will work with you to create a training plan that will suit your needs. Whether you want to fly for fun or you are taking the first steps into a career in aviation, our PanAir instructors will offer solid advice, based on their years of experience. Whatever you choose to do, we will be there to help you every step of the way!