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STUDENT PILOT
GUIDE

AVIATION TRAINING-ONE INTERNATIONAL

Department of Transportation and Communication
Air Transportation Office - Air Agency Certificate No. 98-01
Dumaguete Airport, Philippines

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 Your decision to become a professional pilot is important to us.
Aviation Training One International is dedicated to provide you the essential
information to help you reach your goal. Understanding the process of
becoming a professional pilot is crucial to your success. It helps you make
sound decisions making your investment worthwhile and giving you a
rewarding career.

Personal Checklist

A personal checklist is important to help you plan accordingly. Without

proper understanding of the essential elements in deciding what career to take
can sometimes lead to frustration. Your personal checklist will be vital tool
for career planning. Just like every good pilot – a checklist is an integral part
in flying.

1. What makes you interested in flying?

Is flying your longtime dream or ambition? Is it your personal desire or just

out of curiosity or pressure? Before embarking into this career, you must
know exactly where your interest came from, what your personal desire is,
and what motivates you to become a pilot. Many people become easily
discouraged in their career because they failed to see what their interests really
are, or have overlooked the fact from their own perspective, on what
motivates them to take that profession.

There are no secrets to become successful in the flying profession. What

matters most is your absolute interest that drives your inner desire and that
powers your determination to become professional pilot.

2. Do you want to become an airline pilot?

Most professional oriented individuals are aspirant for an airline career – a

profession that gives assurance for a lucrative position, excitement, and job
security. However, there are numerous job opportunities for the pilot other
than airlines such as transporting corporate executives, air charter, air
ambulance, flight instructions, agricultural applications, and many others.
The important point in your checklist is to aid you in choosing the right school
that offers the best package based on your goal.

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3. Are you physically fit?

Physical fitness is a primary requirement for pilots. You need not to be super
fit or physically attractive. However, your physical condition must not hinder
your capacity when piloting an aircraft. Your visions, reflexes, and
cardiovascular state significantly contribute to your overall performance. If
you’re doubtful of your physical condition you may contact the nearest Flight
Surgeon in your area for advice regarding this matter.

Additionally, mental fitness is as important as your physical condition. Every

flight training activity involves mental challenges that are vital to your
learning. Poor health condition, problems, and fatigue affect mental
performance. Therefore, it is always important to be healthy from the
beginning and throughout your career.

4. Did you do your homework?

Searching for the right school that will fit your needs is not always easy.
There are tons of information through the internet about flight schools,
aviation colleges, and flying clubs with extremely great advertisements and
attractive packages. However, there are particular things you must need to
know before committing to enroll. Since the school is the foundation of your
career, you must know how to identify the right one.

First, search and gather at least 3 – 5 schools. If your goal is to become an

airline pilot, you may pick the school that offers a program that meets the
minimum requirements of the airline in your country. It would not be helpful
to obtain this kind of information from a flying club since they only offer
recreational flying, unless, they provide a career-pilot training. Instead,
research on flight schools or aviation colleges that focus on professional or
airline pilot courses. The next chapter will give you more details in choosing
the right school.

Second, one of the most important areas you need to know is the Civil Air
Regulations pertaining to pilot licensing. You may request a copy from the
Civil Aviation Authority in your country on their requirements and
procedures. If you’re interested to attain your flight training in other
countries, make sure that you can validate that foreign license to your
country’s license.
Lastly, it may be too early to call the Human Resources Department of the
airline company you planned to work with in the future, but this is the best
thing to do. Knowing the airline’s qualifications, criteria and requirements
will help you plan ahead on the best route to your goal. It may seem
impossible to reach their qualification standards at this stage but once you
have taken the steps, then you’ll have the confidence that you can make it.

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5. Are you financially prepared?

Financial preparation is an important key for the progress of your training.

Your flight training must not be interrupted due to financial reason. The more
frequently you fly, the more you build your flying skills and increase your
chances of completing the training in the shortest period of time.

Various schools offer various payment packages. You may inquire from them
regarding program prices and its composition as well as the terms of payment.
For foreign students, payments through draft or wire are common. However,
prior arrangements with the bank must be scheduled accordingly to avoid
problems. International bank laws have taken measures in controlling the
inflow and outflow of money in every country. You may not be allowed to
transfer any amount of money exceeding the amount stipulated in your
enrollment contract as tuition fee. Therefore, proper planning on this aspect is
very important should you choose to study abroad. Bank charges are part of it
and this must also be considered.

Some banks and financial institutions likewise offer financial assistance in the
form of personal or education loans. Part of your preparation if you get
financial assistance from these institutions is to take note of the qualifications,
interest rates, and payment schedule. Be certain of your capacity to pay the
monthly installment incurred when obtaining a loan. It is also possible,
depending on the country, to start paying your loan after your training
program.

6. Did you get help on all your needs?

Get as much advice as you can. You may ask guidance from professional
aviation consultants, veteran pilots, or other aviation related professionals who
can help you structure your plan accordingly. They may also recommend you
to the best flight schools within your region or other countries, provide
awareness to job opportunities and trends in the industry, and many other
relevant information essential to your success.

Create a network of friends in the aviation industry since they are your best
resources in achieving your goal. Just make sure that they are credible and
their advice is legitimate. Individuals who offer advice for short-cuts will
likely mislead you. Therefore, you must be wise in choosing your friends,
otherwise, you’ll be lead off your course.

Always consider the advice of your parents or guardian. They may not like
the type of career you have chosen yet they greatly contribute to your success
in this profession. You may explain to them the possibilities you gathered
from your research as well as your goals and positive chance to succeed.

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There must be proper communication and understanding in both sides in order
to come up with the best decision about your career. Never neglect the fact
that they are part of the overall process. After all, they too shall carry the
burden of your shortcomings.

7. Are you ready?

Probably yes. But let us run down some final points before you’re cleared to
go.

Are you certain enough to start achieving your dream of becoming a good
pilot? If you’re still in doubt, then probably you need to reevaluate yourself
until you find the answer. Review your checklist and run through all the
possibilities whether you can or cannot become a “good pilot”. Why a good
pilot? Because aiming to just become a pilot merely by meeting the minimum
requirement set by the law is not enough. This type of individuals wants
short-cuts, which could eventually shorten their career as well as their lives.
In reality, the lucrative position of captains as normally seen does not happen
overnight. It is the result of hard work, discipline, perseverance, and
determination that enables them to undertake the hardship and overwhelming
challenges of a great responsibility. Those who are dubious are considered
weak. They easily get discouraged ending their career in the shortest period of
time. Therefore, you must be firm in your decision and must have an
unwavering faith to succeed and not just become a pilot but a “good” one.

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Choosing the Right School

As mentioned above choosing the right school is not always easy because of
the captivating information you get from the internet. However, if you have a
definite plan and complete understanding of the whole process then it would
be less strenuous on your part. Our objective is to help you choose the right
school that will give you the greatest benefit based on your goal.

Suppose you are searching for a school that will train you to become
professional pilot. Whatever source of information you may have, you must
determine what type of school will best serve your needs; what areas that you
have to look for; and what benefits they can provide. Below are items that are
important in your search:

1. What’s the price of the program?

The price of the training program is a significant factor in your decision. It’s a
sensitive issue taking into account the affordability and the payment method.
With all the costs involve during flight training, expect a maximum amount.
Even so, it is important to understand the factors that influence the price
structure rather than making a drastic conclusion that you can’t afford it and
ending up somewhere you’re not supposed to be. Here are some of the
contributing factors you need to consider:

a. Aircraft. The type of aircraft used for training is number one factor that
affects pricing. A Cessna 150/152 (2 seat trainer) compared to Cessna 172 or
Piper Warrior (4 seat trainer) is much cheaper based on the per hour costs.
The difference in pricing is logically explained in the flight operating
expenses of the aircraft.

b. Flight Instructor’s Fee. How much the instructor is paid is not really your
concern. However, there’s a great difference in the quality of training if the
instructor is paid low or high. Low paid flight instructors are less experienced
who wanted to fly more to earn more, placing quality as their second priority.
Some might be accumulating flying hours to qualify for the airline’s
requirement. On the other hand, well-experienced or seasoned flight
instructors deserve more pay not only because of their experience but because
of their dedication to flight training and improvement of quality.
c. Location. The location of the flight school and the training site plays a
vital role in pricing. There are countries, states, or cities where tax fees and
aviation fuel costs are higher, properties are expensive, etc. which contributes
significantly to the overall costs of the training program. School situated on
busy airports means tremendous amount of air traffic. You may also need to
anticipate congested city living, security problem, and others that may, in
some way affect your flight training.

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Making a decision that’s based only on the price given by the school is a
disastrous move, unless, you have all the information and the fine prints of
their promises. Think of it that you’re investing in terms of time, money, and
effort for your future career. Of course, you wanted to achieve the highest
possible return of your investment – that’s becoming a professional pilot.
Remember that price is not the issue to make you successful in this career,
although it’s a significant factor in your decision making, it is what you get
based on the highest quality from the price you pay.

2. Does the school provide an up-front costs?

Asking for an up-front or straight forward costs of your pilot training program
is the best thing to do. However, you may experience a shocking event in
your life to see the double figure of $$, but it helps you plan ahead and
prepare for your investment in this venture.

Schools with excellent reputation in the industry such as Embry Riddle

University, FlightSafety Academy, Oxford Aviation Training, ComAir, and
others provide an up-front cost of the training you desire. The truth is they
deal with their customers straight forward with honesty and fairness. Hidden
charges and surprising bills are common strategy of false entities trying to cut
the exact prices to gain customers. The worst thing is their students are
paying them for a substandard training resulting to a large percentage of
failure in this career.

3. Do they have a well-maintained fleet of aircraft?

You may check the flight school’s aircraft if they are well-maintained in
accordance with the regulations and manufacturer’s recommended procedures.
Aircraft maintenance must be performed by a qualified airframe and
powerplant mechanics (A&P Mechanics) who received proper training of that
certain equipment. Well-maintained aircraft are not only good to fly but they
contribute to the safety and development of your flight training.

You may request a tour in the school’s aircraft maintenance facility if you
want. Good schools are transparent to their customers regarding their
maintenance practices and encourage them to pay a visit. You may not have
the technical knowledge about the aircraft but it’s worth knowing the things
that are new to you. Asking relevant questions may give you a clear
perspective and understanding of how the school’s aircraft are well-
maintained.

Obviously, your first impression is the outside look of the aircraft and its
instrument panel. Well, it’s true that well-maintained aircraft have an

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outstanding exterior and interior appearance. However, don’t stop your search
to that point since you still have an engine as the “heart” of the aircraft.
Although it’s impossible for you to look at the internal parts of the engine the
external part gives you the idea of how it is maintained. Cleanliness always
holds the true impression of how the aircraft is well-maintained.

Nevertheless, the right schools are conscious on how they conduct their
maintenance operations; following the regulations and manufacturer’s
recommendation, using genuine parts in their aircraft, and employing
significant number of qualified A&P personnel relative to the number of
aircraft in their fleet.

4. Is the school based on a good location?

The right school is situated in the best location. They are aware of the fact
that quality of training is guaranteed in the right environment that is conducive
to learning. This means they established the school in a perfect location
where airport facilities, air traffic density, weather, convenience, and security
counts in maintaining the progress of flight training.

Your search must include knowing the location of the school and taking into
account the things that are mentioned above. Interruptions and restrictions
hinder your progress and development of your flying skills, thus increasing
further your costs in training. This concern is a common issue of flight
schools that are based in international airports or areas where there are
tremendous flying activities. It could never be avoided to have some
restrictions to maintain safety due to the density of air traffic in that location
which adds up to the negative side of your flight training.

Let’s take a brief look on how flight training is affected in an international

airport or busy flight environments. It’s always expected that holding time or
delay, waiting for your turn to takeoff or land, is longer in busy airports due to
air traffic. While the engine is running every tick of the clock counts, thus,
adding the costs that’s irrelevant to your training. Secondly, solo flight is
restricted due to domestic and international flight operations. Air traffic
safety is a significant issue and there’s no place to let a student pilot wander
around the airspace system. The required solo flight experience is normally
sacrificed as a trade-off to enable your training to progress. However, a
detrimental factor results to less self-confidence.

The bottom line is find a school that has the best location that permits you to
fly without restrictions, gives you the chance to build solo confidence flight,
and makes your flight training more efficient.

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5. Does the school focused only on flight training?

There’s a remarkable advantages if your flight school focused only on flight

training rather than having too many attached businesses such as air charter,
air ambulance, and etc. The schools that has excellent reputation in the
industry, as mentioned above, focused their time, effort, and energy only in
training students and taking care of their needs. Additionally, their flight
instructors dedicate the same to their students and continuously improve the
standard and methods to make every training a wonderful experience.

Your choice of flight school should be keen in this aspect since there are too
many promises with fine lines between truths and lies. Moreover there are
legal issues concerning schools performing other flying activities other than
training, and in most part it’s advertised to enhance the interest of the
customers. But in real sense, it is disappointing to know later on your training
that your flight is cancelled because the airplane or your flight instructor is
flying for a charter or another business matters.

The important thing is to know if your school and the flight instructor
assigned to you is fully dedicated in helping and training you achieve your
goal in the pre-determined time.

6. Do they have the best flight instructors?

Your flight instructor is the most important asset in your training. They have
a strong influence in your flying skills and character that builds the foundation
in your career. In most part, you’ll be working closely with your flight
instructor and must establish a common goal together to make your training
successful.

Never overlook this item in your search. Schools that emphasize more on
quality training maintain the best flight instructors. Why? Because they
believed that the best flight instructors are their greatest assets that are
committed and passionate in teaching students and helping them achieve
success in their career. Furthermore, they bring a good reputation to the school
and in the aviation industry.

Make sure that the school has enough flight instructors that can accommodate
you and have sufficient time for your training. It is discouraging that some
flight instructors engage in other activities or is too busy for other students
leaving you behind schedule and taking for granted things that you need
concerning your flying. Mostly, it happens if the school engaged in other
businesses such as air charter, or, the school has significant number of
students with less flight instructors.

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Of all the things mentioned, it is virtually impossible for you to attain good
aeronautical knowledge, skills, judgment, discipline, and character if you have
an inexperience flight instructor. Unless they’re properly trained, committed,
and passionate in teaching, new flight instructors possess many drawbacks if
they used flight instructional as a means of earning flying time and experience
for their airline career. Therefore, it is crucial to seek the best flight instructor
if your prospective school has one.

7. Do they have a record of their graduates who are successful?

The best schools are proud of their graduates because they bring recognition
to the aviation industry. It is the trademark of their excellence and success.
Moreover, they serve as pilot hiring pool for the corporate and airline
companies.

This feature certainly gives you assurance that the school will help you
achieve your goal. Through their track record, you will have more confidence
and motivation towards success. You are ascertain that you will be one of
their successful products, land immediately into a job, and have a rewarding
career.

One thing you should bear in mind is that graduates of the best schools are
sought by corporate or airline employers because they prove the quality and
criteria of pilots that will fit in their company. Most often, employers will
give you job offer before the completion of your training. A great advantage
carried by the best schools in the industry.

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The Training Process

You may probably have the definite idea in which school you’ll take your
professional pilot training. From your diligent research, you already have the
information required to enable you to start in this career. Now you’re ready to
begin your training.

From this point, it is important for you to know the pilot training process. Not
only you will gain the idea of your training but it gives you the right
perspective of what you will learn. Having the advance knowledge is crucial
and gives you more leverage in your progress.

1. Academic Ground School.

The academic ground school is integral in every professional pilot training

program. Traditional classroom lecture or instructor lead discussion is
important in developing your aeronautical knowledge in flying. It gives you
more understanding in areas that needs further explanation, clear out any
confusion, and support learning through experience-based information.

Since your academic ground school subjects are in reference to your textbooks
and manuals there’s no other excellent supplement other than your instructor’s
experience and knowledge. It is believed that the best information that a pilot
could have is from other pilot. This is totally true. And if your academic
ground school is conducted by a veteran pilot or seasoned flight instructor,
then you’ll learn tremendously than what you just read from the book.

It is also necessary that your academic ground school is supported with visual
aids such as videos or media presentation, mock up, or flight training device.
Visual presentation supports your understanding of a particular subject.
Therefore, effective understanding promotes good learning and retention.

These are the lists of subjects you will learn during your academic ground
school.

a. Aerodynamics or Theory of flight.

b. Aircraft Engine, Powerplant, and Related Systems.
c. Aircraft Flight Instruments or Airplane Instrumentations.
d. Aircraft Performance.
e. Aircraft Weight and Balance or Airplane Mass and Balance.
f. Airports or Aerodrome System.
g. Airspace Systems or Flight Environment.
h. Air Traffic Control Procedures.
i. Civil Air Regulations or Air Laws.
j. Aviation Meteorology or Aviation Weather.

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 k. Aviation Weather Services or Flight Weather Data Services.
l. Navigation (Pilotage and Dead Reckoning).
m. Electronic Navigation or Radio Aids in Navigation.
n. Instrument Charts and Publications
o. IFR Procedures
p. Flight Physiology or Physiological Aspect of Human Performance.
q. Crew Resource Management.
r. Emergency Procedures.

Depending on the flight school or the country you will take your training the
subjects mentioned above may have different names. This is not a big deal as
long as the important knowledge areas are presented and you learned. It’s
quite a good practice that the school must give you an oral and written
examination to each subject that is covered during your academic ground
school to see if there are items that needs to be corrected. At least nothing is
overlooked.

A flight training device is an important tool that supplement what you learned
in the academic ground school. It allows you to practice right away what you
learned from the classroom before doing the actual flight training. Some
schools offer laboratory session in the Microsoft Flight Simulator which fairly
helps the advancement of your flight training.

Regulations concerning the used of flight training device may vary in other
countries. Although, it is used as a supplement in your academic ground
school, its application is sometimes credited to your flight time requirements.
With some limitations, however, it still adds an advantage in respect to your
overall flying proficiency.

2. Flight Training.

Your flight training can be integrated with your academic ground school.
Depending on the instructional method, this approach is effective since it
allows you to practice what you have learned from the classroom. Academic
subjects is normally coordinated with your flight training lessons to achieve
positive progress. Nevertheless, whatever instructional method or technique
used, the objective of the flight training is to develop your attitude and overall
proficiency of your aeronautical skills.

The standard flight training procedure is composed of 3 areas. These are

explained below to give you idea of what you and your flight instructor will
do. It is important that this procedure is practiced to ensure effective learning
and progress.

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 a. Pre-flight Briefing. Your flight instructor will provide a discussion
about your lesson, its objective, the flight maneuvers you will perform,
common errors, and corrective actions. Its main purpose is to give you
full understanding of your flight lesson before going up in the air.
Without pre-flight briefing, you will likely gain more confusion rather
than more learning. The fact can’t be ignored that the cockpit of your
training airplane is not conducive to learning plus the multi-tasking
that you will do during flight. You’ll easily get overloaded if you’re
not well-prepared. Therefore, preparation is important key to make
your flight training more rewarding, enjoyable, and safe.
b. In-flight Instructions. The first part of your in-flight instruction is a
review of the flight maneuvers that you previously practiced. A sort of
a warm-up, it also allows you to increase more proficiency from the
last flight. The introduction of the new flight maneuver or lesson will
be demonstrated by your flight instructor. You’ll be watching while
he performs and talking you throughout the maneuver. Then it will be
your turn to practice while your flight instructor will be guiding you.
Until, he finds that you’re performance is satisfactory, you will be
allowed to practice without further guidance or corrections. Lastly,
your performance will be evaluated by your flight instructor based on
your skillful execution of a certain maneuver, judgment, and your
ability to correct before a mistake occur. This individual maneuver
grading procedure correlates with the performance progress grade
policy to enable you to proceed to the next flight lesson.
c. Post flight Discussion. After landing, your flight instructor will
discuss all relevant items concerning your overall flight performance.
You’re encouraged to ask questions to clarify misunderstanding and
make an evaluation to yourself on how well you perform. Paper works
such as your pilot logbook, student record, and other stuff will be
accomplished. Your flight instructor will also give you an assignment
for your next flight lesson.
If your goal is to become a professional pilot the stages below is a preparation
for your flying career. The lessons presented in each stage are the foundation
which contribute significantly to the development of your aeronautical
knowledge, skills, judgment, character, and discipline. The order of the flight
lessons conforms to the “building block concept”, that is deliberately arrange
for the student to be prepared for the next level.
You should put in mind that these are the fundamentals. Nothing has been
change much from the early days of flight training to the new era, except there
are more additional areas that you need to learn as the new technologies
evolved in the new century. New instructional techniques and devices are
incorporated in today’s flight training programs, however, the fundamentals
still exists and could never be eliminated from the curriculum of your flight
training.

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STAGE 1 – PRIVATE PILOT STAGE

In this stage, it is important to understand the requirement of the regulations

concerning dual and solo flight operations. Dual is referred to as a flight
conducted with your flight instructor on board the aircraft. Since a student
pilot license holder is not allowed by law to carry passengers, solo flight is
clearly defined that you’re the only occupant and sole manipulator of the
controls of the airplane.

The lists of flight lessons below are the sequence in your training.

a. Basic Flight Maneuvers (climbs, turns, descents, and straight-and-level

flight).
b. Steep Turns or 720 deg. Power Turns.
c. Slow Flight or Maneuvering at Slow Airspeed.
d. Stalls and Spin Recovery.
e. Ground Reference Maneuver (rectangular course pattern, s-turns, turns
around a point)
f. Emergency Procedures.
g. Normal/Crosswind Takeoff and Landing.
h. Rejected Landings or Go-Arounds.
i. Solo Flight at the Local Traffic Pattern (normal/crosswind takeoff &
landing).
j. Accuracy Landings (90, 180, 360 deg)
k. Short-Field Takeoff and Landings.
l. Soft-Field Takeoff and Landings.
m. High Altitude Takeoff.
n. Solo Confidence Flight.
o. Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitude with Reference to Flight
Instruments.
p. Dual Cross-Country Flight (basic navigation: pilotage & dead reckoning).
q. Dual Cross-Country Flight (supplement radio navigation: VOR, ADF, DME)
r. Solo Cross-Country Flight.
s. Practical Test Standards or Checkride Preparation for Private Pilot
License.

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STAGE 2 – COMMERCIAL PILOT STAGE

As your training progresses, the standards of each lessons increases. You’ll

learn more rigid flight maneuvers with more accuracy in handling the
airplane. Transition to complex / high performance single-engine or multi-
engine aircraft will be introduced to prepare you for the commercial pilot
license requirement.

The lists of flight lessons below are the sequence of your training.

a. High Altitude Maneuvers (steep turns, chandelles, lazy eights)

b. Spin and Unusual Flight Attitude Recovery.
c. Low Altitude Maneuvers (eights-on-pylon turns)
d. Emergency Procedures.
e. Solo Cross-country Flight Requirement for the Commercial Pilot
License.
f. Transition to Complex / High Performance Single-Engine; or
g. Multi-Engine Transition.
__ Normal Handling Characteristics of Multi-Engine.
__ Single-Engine Performance and Procedures of Multi-Engine
Airplanes.
__ Systems Emergency Procedures (de-pressurization, landing gear
failures, etc.)
__ Normal / Crosswind Takeoff and Landing.
__ Short-Field Takeoff, Approach, and Landing.
__ Soft-Field Takeoff, Approach, and Landing.
__ Crew Resource Management for Multi-Crew.
__ Multi Crew Coordination.
h. Practical Test Standards or Checkride Preparation for Commercial
Pilot License.

STAGE 3 – INSTRUMENT STAGE

You’ll attain the aeronautical knowledge and skills necessary for you to fly in
instrument meteorological condition with reference only to flight instruments.
The instrument rating is a prerequisite for your commercial pilot license
(depending on the country) and your application for corporate or airline
employment.

The lists of flight lessons below is the sequence of your training.

a. Basic Attitude Instrument Flying.

b. Partial Panel.
c. Unusual Flight Attitude Recovery.
d. IFR Emergency Procedures.

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 e. VOR Procedures.
f. NDB Procedures.
g. GPS for IFR Navigation.
h. Localizer Course Tracking Procedures.
i. VOR and Localizer Holding Procedures.
j. DME and Intersection Holding Procedures.
k. VOR Approach Procedures.
l. NDB Approach Procedures.
m. GPS Approach Procedures.
n. ILS Approach Procedures.
o. Partial Panel Non-Precision Approach.
p. Partial Panel Precision Approach.
q. Single-Engine Non-Precision Approach for multi-engine airplane.
r. Single-Engine Precision Approach for multi-engine airplane.
s. IFR Cross-country.
t. Practical Test Standards or Checkride Preparation for Instrument
Rating.

The flight lessons listed above are fundamentals. You’ll have more advantage
if your school provides additional learning and experience necessary to the
development of your flying career. Although, it is not required by law it is
still important and the benefits are great. Here are some lists of items that can
be incorporated during your training program.

1. CRM for Multi-Crew Operations. CRM or Cockpit Resource

Management by definition, is the effective use of all available
resources concerning your flight. Since transport category aircraft
required two-man crew operations, the division of workload and
coordination between two pilots is crucial to the overall safety of
flight. CRM is normally taught and practiced in a flight simulator
replicating the actual aircraft or in the cockpit procedure trainer.

However, CRM does not necessary mean only for multi-crew

operation. It must be taught and practice during your initial training in
the single-engine aircraft. You’ll learn how to effectively use all your
available resources; such are your flight plans, organization of your
personal stuff in the cockpit, obtaining important information, use of
checklist, management of workload in flight, acquiring updated
information, and many others.
For multi-crew operations, there are additional procedures that you
will learn. You will gain new information that you have not practiced
in your single-engine aircraft. This includes a clear understanding of
responsibilities of the pilot flying and the non-pilot flying, call-out
procedures, challenge and response procedures, emergency briefing,
etc.

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 2. Glass Cockpit Transition. New generation technologies developed for
general aviation aircraft offers tremendous advantages to students.
The dial indicator type of flight instruments has been change to glass
cockpit in today’s modern light aircraft trainers. Its importance to the
development of students is the orientation of the cockpit of most air
transport category aircraft used by corporate or airline.

If your school offers a glass cockpit transition and with some actual
flight experience then it would be great. There’s a lot difference of the
new system in terms of situation awareness when you fly. Not only
does it reduce your workload, but it provides enhancement in the
safety of flight, and giving you the knowledge of how air transport
category aircraft operate in the modern sky.

3. Employment Preparation. You may not have the exact knowledge of

the employment procedure of airline companies. It would be more
beneficial if your school will provide guidance in making your resume,
test preparation, and airline interview questions. This preparation is
crucial to your first job employment. Some schools with alliance to
airline companies provide guaranteed airline interview for their
graduates.

Of each stage of training that you accomplished the civil aviation authority of
your country will conduct an examination to test if you have the appropriate
aeronautical knowledge and skills pertinent to the license you are applying
for. For example, if you attain the academic knowledge, flight lessons, and
flight time requirements of the private pilot stage then you must pass the
examination prior you will be given a private pilot’s license.

There are 2 types of examination that you will take. First, the written
examination consisting of all the knowledge areas from your academic ground
school. When you pass the written exam then you will undergo a checkride or
an actual flight examination. This will test if you have the appropriate skills,
judgment, and discipline in flying, and has the proficiency of the previous
flight maneuvers that you had practiced with your flight instructor. There’s
not much difficulty in the examination if you’re well-trained, study diligently,
and is well-prepared. Again, preparation plays a vital role in any success of
your flying career.

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Preparing for Training

Before you jump into conclusion that you’ll enroll and take your professional
pilot training, you must be certain about your physical condition. You may
contact the nearest flight surgeon in your region and ask for requirements and
appointment. Some students are eager enough to enroll and take the academic
ground school and then later on found out that they are not physically fit to
fly. So, it’s important to obtain first an airman medical certificate from the
flight surgeon since this your ticket to your flying career.

Complete the admission requirements of the school to confirm your

enrollment. Important documents such as training contract or agreement,
admission fees, payments, student visa requirements, clearances, travel,
accommodation and meals (if applicable) must be accomplished in this point.

If you planned to take your training in another country, you must ensure that
you obtain your student visa requirements. In most cases, the school will
facilitate all documents that you need to work for and submit it to the embassy
of the country that you’re planning to go. Make sure that the documents are
original and is authenticated to prevent any problems that may occur in the
future.

Personal insurance policy is encouraged especially if you plan to go for

training in another country. The coverage should include health and accident
in the event of any untoward incident. School’s insurance policy is only
within the training and does not cover outside activities. You may also
inquire if the school offers group insurance that covers health and accident
during the overall duration of your training.

In addition to other countries, part of your research and planning is to know

the pilot license requirements and the possibilities of validating that license in
your country. Pilot license conversion is possible based on the treaty between
those countries that are member of the International Civil Aviation
Organization or ICAO. Furthermore, you may also inquire about the cultural
background, monetary, and possible safety of your welfare which may have
an effect on your training. These factors must be consider and should not be
taken lightly unless you are well familiar to that country you wish to take your
training.

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Final Points to Remember

There’s a huge advantage when you begin your career in a proper way. It
starts with your attitude, the school you choose, and the training you get.
Where and how you invest your time, money, and effort is crucial to your
success in this profession. Therefore, if you obtain a good training from the
best schools then you’ll end up being a good pilot. On the other hand, if your
training is worst then most likely you’ll end up having a discouraging career.
Nevertheless, whatever you invest today will be paid in the future.

Some students are too anxious to commence their training without having the
right information about this career. Without accurate facts through research
and personal checklist for proper planning they easily jump into their decision
to take flying into a certain school without evaluating their possibilities to
succeed. Carried by their emotions due to the promising growth in airline
pilot employment, they didn’t know that their decision was based only to
obtain training in the fastest way and with the cheapest price so they will be
hired ahead of the other guys. Unknowingly, their decision is not based on the
overall and long-term success in the flying profession.

Furthermore, even airline companies practice seniority for pilots, still the best
positions are offered to well-trained and experienced pilots. There’s no need
to be in a hurry but you must act. You must act accordingly to prepare
yourself by having the right attitude and good training from the right school
that will place you to the best position of the company that you planned to be
employed.

The final points to remember is important to determine if your attitude, the

school, and your training really begins in a proper way.

1. Regulations.

The flying time requirement specified in the regulations is based on

the minimum that is expected for the individual to attain proficiency
and standards required for a particular pilot’s license. It does not
consider your ability to learn or how you gain certain knowledge and
skills in your training. There are average, fast, and slow learners who
take flying and attain proficiency in different time frame. Some
students achieve good performance in the specified minimum time
requirement, others gain below the requirement, and some attain
proficiency more than the expected time.

If your training is based only to achieve the minimum flight hours

required by law and not towards proficiency, then it gives you a hint
that you’re not supposed to be enrolled in that school. Most schools
follow the regulations concerning flight time requirements for their

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 students in order to obtain a pilot’s license, however, overlooked the
most important part – your proficiency.

The important thing in your training is the development of your

knowledge, skill, judgment, discipline, and character. The pilot’s
license comes only afterwards when you attained these essential areas.
It is a proof of what you achieved. And it carry no value if the
objective of your training is only to get a pilot’s license.

2. A Myth About Solo Flight.

The regulations requires students to attain solo flight time experience.

As a student pilot license holder, you are not permitted to carry
passengers during solo flight. A solo flight means that you are only
the sole occupant and manipulator of the controls of the aircraft. It is
clearly defined by law for you to have the confidence and proficiency
of what you’ve learned.

Some schools neglect this requirement for the following reasons:

First, since you’re still a student pilot they believed that it is very risky
for you to go solo flight, specially solo cross-country, because of your
experience. Second, air transport category airplane requires two pilots
for operations, therefore, it is no longer relevant to conduct solo flight.
Whatever reasons they may have in opposition to solo flight
requirements of student pilots reveals the very fact of the quality of
their training, inexperience, and false belief.

Whatever you do there’s always an inherent risk. What is important is

how to recognize and manage risk to avoid undesirable situation. The
judgment and decision making process of recognizing and managing
risk is the result of proper training. If quality is in mind, then there are
no apprehensions and hidden facts that the school will release you for
solo flight. Nevertheless, there are no better trade-off between quality
training and a myth.
If your school does not allow solo cross-country flight during your
student pilot training, then it clearly shows that your development is at
stake.

3. Your Mentor.
Your mentor has a profound effect in your overall growth and success
in this career. You could never ignore the fact that your flight
instructor is your first mentor in this career. Make sure that you have
the right flight instructor that will have a good influence in your
attitude and flying habits.

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 The best flight instructors is modest with exceptional knowledge and
skills, enthusiastic and passionate in teaching, responsible, committed,
professional, and have a good character. They are teachers by heart
and their happiness is the inevitable achievements of their students.
Be certain that you don’t fall in the hands of flight instructors who
loves to show-off, arrogant, unpredictable behavior, and who is totally
opposite from the qualities of the best flight instructors. They
normally show-off to hide their inadequacies. Remember that they
have a great influence and their behavior is disastrous to the
development of your career and personal life. Reality check? There’s
nothing much they know of. And this is a simple clue during your in-
flight training. They may be too silent and offers virtually no advice,
but when you make mistake they uncontrollably grabs the controls
away from you and shouting all those FF words that you never heard
from your entire life. The best thing you do is stay away from them.

4. What’s with the Attitude?

The primary development for a professional pilot training is the
attitude. Knowledge and skills are secondary by nature. If you have
the right attitude from the start then it would not be difficult for you to
acquire the aeronautical knowledge and skills. In today’s modern
aircraft, the sophisticated systems plays a vital role in flight safety
making virtually impossible for pilots to make mistakes. However,
accidents still occur because of human factor, commonly known as
“pilot’s error”.
Pilot’s attitude has significant contribution to human factor. It may be
derived from personal character or negative influences developed from
the beginning of the career. Knowledge can be acquired easily from
relevant resources and personal experience while skills is developed
through continues practice and training. But attitude cannot be
develop just through reading, actual practice, or experience. It needs
more stimulus and behavioral influence that would make the
individual change. Nonetheless, there are obstacles in the attitude
change process because of the out bringing and past experience from
the childhood years. Therefore, it’s not an overnight process.
Your training should include the inventory of hazardous attitudes that
contributes to human factor. You should remember that these attitudes
are reflection of your inner character. Therefore, taking into account
hazardous attitude one should change inside – out.
The points to remember highlights the importance of attitude. For you to
become a good pilot is not a matter of circumstance. It is a product of your
conscious choice, combined with hard work, commitment, perseverance,
determination, and a result of proper training.

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