1. Research, research, research
Many aspects of the student pilot process require you to do your homework, and with all of the information available on the internet there is no excuse for you to spend a penny more than you have to. By accessing free pilot resources online (at FAA.org, for example) you will save on the cost of expensive printed materials. And if you do enough studying on your own you may not need to pay for ground school to pass the pilots test.
2. Explore every option
By investigating all of the ground schools and pilot programs in your area and weighing all of the associated costs, you will get the best possible instruction for the least amount of money. Small, rural airports often give quality instruction and lower rates than bigger airports. Also, flight schools in places like Florida, Arizona, and Texas have good weather year-round that will enable you to train two to three times a week. Consistent training is crucial to making progress and will help you retain new skills from week to week. If you go to Arizona or Florida you can actually get your Private Pilot License for $5k to $8k in 14 to 30 days. Choosing the right place to learn can save you money, get you better instruction, and give you more flexibility with flight schedules.
How to convert your experience into a Job offerYears ago when you first opted to go into the military service,
you may or may not have considered how your experiences could
help you land a job when you decided to hang up the uniform.
Well, it may be that time for you, and there isn t much of a
calling for civilians to drive tanks or jump out of a perfectly
good aircraft, so what s next?
Well, during your tenure in the military whether it was for a
short 3-year enlistment or a full 20-year career, you ve
probably done more things than you can remember. Yes, many of
the skills you ve learned are probably not needed directly in
..
3. Become a part of the aviation community
Get engaged in the aviation world by visiting websites and blogs online and participating in discussions. Join the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to stay informed about the latest issues affecting the flying community. Get involved with the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), an excellent source of information about homebuilts like the light sport aircraft (LSA) so popular right now. Or join a local flying club. Networking with other aviation enthusiasts both on- and offline will create more flying opportunities.
4. Use a flight simulator
While practice flying a real plane is ideal, its not always practical. Flight simulators are a great way to keep your mind in flight mode and to sharpen your aviation skills. Student pilots who exercise their flight skills frequently using methods like flight simulators often learn faster and perform better than pilots who rely solely on actual flight time.
Can one plane "do it all?" Probably not, however you can own a plane that will accomplish most of what you d like it to do. First you must ask yourself the following questions: 1. How will I be using this airplane? Business Flying myself from point A to point B Flying myself and a couple of employees Flying customers Personal Flying to a 2nd home, either up north or in the south Vacationing with my airplane Visiting family, friends or children I m a Sunday afternoon flyer Aerobatic flying Flying a floatplane around the lakes 2. Where will I be flying my airplane? Pretty much within the state Regional travel, within a couple of st ..
5. Buy an older airplane
Buying a brand new piston or jet aircraft is probably not financially feasible for many would-be fliers, but dont let that stop you. There is a big market for older, used aircraft, and with determination and discipline, anyone can save up and purchase their own plane.
About the Author: Steven Styles is the President of http://SkyGeek.com" target="_blank"> http://SkyGeek.com, an online retailer offering a huge selection of low-priced aviation parts and material by the top manufacturers in the industry. SkyGeek is based out of the Styles familys Sky Acres airport in upstate New York. Visit SkyGeek today at http://www.skygeek.com" target="_blank"> http://www.skygeek.com and view their products.
Source: http://www.isnare.com Steven Styles5 Steps To Becoming A Pilot
