Use your down time to your advantage. "No flying today" should be an invitation to try another activity that will enrich your training.
My friend Brett Reid is learning to fly while he works as a flight school dispatcher at a large training facility in the Pacific Northwest. As he doesn’t have the funds to fly as much as he’d like, he tries to make good use of his time by immersing himself in aviation. His theory is, “If I can’t fly, at least I can be learning about it and getting to know the folks who can help me achieve my goals.”
He’s found a number of activities that help him stay involved in aviation. He heads for the simulator, does some armchair flying, reads up on his next lesson, reviews or studies for his knowledge or oral test, completes one of the many AOPA Air Safety Foundation online courses, or practices his checklist flows. Brett tells me he’s amazed at the number of students who think “no flying today” means it’s time to play. “Actually,” says Brett, “not flying today should mean more time to prepare for their next training event.”
What can you do to ensure that each of your flights is productive and keeps you progressing toward your goal? In addition to reviewing the material for each upcoming lesson, you should prepare a list of questions for your instructor. Do your own research to learn as much as you can about those turns about a point, soft-field landings, or whatever issue concerns you.
A training observation flight can be a real eye-opener, particularly if it involves a maneuver that you’ve had trouble with. Hearing another instructor describe it, then demonstrate it, can often be the key to understanding that missing link. Often you’ll see another student repeat your mistake and bingo! You’ve received the proverbial bucket of cold water, showing you exactly what you were missing.
Hanging around the airport, even if you’re not employed there, is a great way to save flying dollars. You can learn a lot by watching, listening, asking questions, and researching your way to your next flight rating.
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