Flight Training First Steps and Advice

  Written by @aero.holly

“My life was flipped upside down the moment I had the realisation I wanted to fly”

I’d been on holiday visiting California for the first time, on a road trip between LA and Vegas. Driving that open road, rocky mountains on either side, very small planes darting overhead… It was my first real glimpse of General Aviation. And it was enough for me to dive in and start planning.

It took me over 6 months to make it back to California to start my training, but I never doubted that I was doing the right thing for myself. There have definitely been some bumps and setbacks, but I am now proud to call myself an instrument-rated pilot.

What are your Top Tips for Choosing the Right Flight Training Organisation for you?

It is so important to talk to the students at the flight school you’re considering. An organisation can sweet talk you all day about their low costs, their impressive fleet of aircraft, and their accelerated programs. None of that matters if they don’t have good systems in place to ensure all their students are actually getting those things. If there are problems, the students will be the first to tell you. Ask questions like: how often do you get to fly; are there enough instructors that you can choose the person you work best with; are you happy with how many hours you’re spending on your training; what do you wish the school did better? And if it seems too good to be true, it is. Trust your instincts.

What is your Favourite Aviation Memory? 

Back when I had just moved to California, I met an incredible aerobatic pilot who flew out of the same airport I trained at. He was the person who introduced me to the world of aviation beyond flight training, and I owe some of my best memories to him. It’s hard to choose a favourite; there were flights where he taught me manoeuvres, flew aerobatic formations with his friends, and went cloud surfing. But I’d say one that was undeniably special was when we flew out to the Glamis Sand Dunes in the San Diego desert for Veterans Day.

On the way there we flew with the other pilots through canyons and across the desert. It’s the first and, as of now, the only time I’ve been in formation at an airshow. It was eye-opening to see how sharp the pilots’ skills were, especially coming from someone who had only just mastered private pilot manoeuvres. And especially when they’re pulling that many G’s! As part of the airshow, we performed the pull-up in the Missing Man formation, a tribute to the fallen. It holds a special place in my heart. 

How do you Stay Focused and Consistent in your Groundschool Phase of Training? 

Full transparency, I actually really enjoy groundschool and studying for theory exams. Part of it is that I want to prove to myself that I’m capable of putting in the work to be the best pilot I can possibly be. For now, it’s mostly just myself that I’d be cutting short, but one day when I’m responsible for the safety of other people, I want to have no shadow of a doubt that I have done everything I can to prepare for any given situation I find myself in.

The other part of it is that, although I really did enjoy studying engineering, the tangibility of ground school and immediate application of what we learn is something that I enjoy in a way I only really got to in my design modules. I’ve found that I have an appreciation for how dynamic the content is. 

What do you wish you'd have Known Before Starting Flight Training? 

Progress in flight training comes down to a lot of different factors. You can work hard but external delays can still happen. I wish I’d known just how much that would affect me simply because it would’ve saved a lot of uncertainty and worry. I’ve stayed in control of what I can and slowly learned to accept that the timeline I envisioned is a guideline rather than a guarantee. Training as an international student in the US also requires dependency on the efficiency of the training provider, so try your best to pick well, and if you don’t then don’t beat yourself up about it. Hindsight is everything. 

What are your Plans for the Future? 

It’s hard for me to say right now. My immediate plans are currently up in the air while I’m stuck on the ground. The trials and tribulations of flight training in the US are in full swing right now and I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to get a visa to finish my flight training there. Either way, I’ll finish my ratings wherever I need to.

I’m from Zimbabwe, and my dad is a pilot. He did all of his training back home and if I needed to finish up elsewhere, it would be an incredible experience flying in the same places my dad did to get his ratings 30odd years ago. Ultimately, along with being an airline pilot, one of my biggest goals is to be a conservationist in Southern Africa. To create a sustainable wildlife trust focusing on aerial surveillance to protect animals from Human-Wildlife Conflict, and the dangers that humans have put their natural habitat in. Organisations like the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who operate primarily in Kenya, are inspirations to me. Zimbabwe and her neighbouring countries are similarly in need of this kind of protection. 

The views expressed are based on my personal experiences and are not reflective of any specific flight school or training provider.