Experience flight at the AOPA Learn to Fly Center

Know someone who is yearning to learn to fly? If so, bring the prospective pilot to Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Fla., March 29 through April 3, and visit the AOPA Learn to Fly Center, inside the AOPA tent.

“For someone who is dreaming of learning to fly or already in flight training, the Learn to Fly Center is here to help,” said Jennifer Storm, AOPA director of flight training initiatives. “AOPA staff members will be available to answer prospective pilots’ questions and help them try their hand at the controls of a full-motion flight simulator thanks to Redbird Flight Simulations’ generous support.”

While there, prospective student pilots can learn more about AOPA’s Let’s Go Flying program and current student pilots can take a closer look at Flight Training magazine.

Let’s Go Flying is geared to anyone who is interested in learning to fly but is not yet ready to begin lessons. The website offers a wealth of information and inspiration and even provides a searchable database of flight schools across the country (just enter a zip code to find nearby flight schools that offer introductory flights). A free monthly electronic newsletter is designed to help prospective students become more familiar with aviation before they begin flight training.

Those already in flight training can enroll in a free six-month AOPA membership, complete with members-only website access and six issues of Flight Training —the only magazine dedicated to supporting student pilots. The Flight Training website’s student section is broken into the major segments of learning to fly: Pre-Solo; Maneuvers; Cross-Country (actually going places!); and Flight Test Preparation. Each section answers frequently asked questions, describes the flying skills students learn during that phase of training, and links to relevant online courses from the AOPA Foundation’s Air Safety Institute.

“Becoming a pilot is such an incredible, life-changing experience,” concluded Storm. “Regardless of where you may be in your flight training journey, we hope to see you at the AOPA Learn to Fly Center.”

At the tent, students and prospective pilots can take the flight training pledge, either to start or complete their training—and possibly win one of many great prizes!

Students and prospective pilots alike should be sure to stop by AOPA’s tent on Saturday, April 2, dubbed “Sun ’n Fun Learn to Fly Day.” AOPA Live® will feature interviews about career options in general aviation at 10:15 a.m. and learning to fly at 11:30 a.m. that day.