While the likes of the professional pilots here will snicker about this, I was plenty nervous when talking to ATC. Once you know the lingo and what is most likely to be said, it gets easier/less daunting, but at first, I would freeze up and panic when trying to remember what to say back to them. I rarely talk to ATC anymore, so I am getting out of practise and still probably come off sounding like a dufus sometimes when I use the system on a long cross country. :D It is pretty comical at times to listen to new pilots on the radio. Everyone has to go thru it though.

I have posted this before her, but it probably warrants repeating.....Fly as often as possible and get your private in a few months instead of a few years. You will end up much closer to only paying for 40-50 hrs vs paying for 70+ hrs if you spread it out. I got mine for under three grand in the early 90's flying a few times a week and paying about $45/hr for the old C-150 and about $20/hr for the instructor.

Do you want the CD's in Arabic

All good advice here. I just wanted to say that above all else, try to always enjoy yourself and, even when you run into some of those challenges that will inevitably come up that will seem almost insurmountable at times (landings, for example). Keep at it and all hurdles will eventually be overcome.

Also, like Tim said, we ALL sounded like dufus's on the radio when we first started this endeavor. Radio work will eventually come naturally to you.

Your first solo will be one of those events you will never, ever forget. Mine was in May of 1985, when I was only 21 (13,000 hours ago).

Only the takeoff and aiming portion! :)

Fly as often as you can, at least twice a week. Less will make you forget some of what you learned and you will pay to make it up.

Lots of good advise in the last two pages. The aero club is a very good deal as the airplanes are cheap and maintenance is good.

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help!

Joe

Only flight sim enthusiast , but is using a GPS really cheating? As new technology comes along, why not learn to use it and take advantage of it. Not saying they should not learn to use the NAV radios. When those were first put in planes I'm sure the "old guard" said that was cheating from what they had to use to navigate.

I think the GPS "cheating" comment was in jest. However, even I think it's a mistake to learn navigation by GPS first. Best to learn it the old fashioned way, then use technology to make life easier. GPS is great, but if you lose it without a backup plan, you're screwed.

Am I wrong in my thinking here pilots? I always figured that the best way to learn how to fly would be in a ratty old taildragger with basic instruments. Master that, and everything else is easy in comparison.

Matt, you are right.

When I first started flying, GPS was pretty much in it's infancy as far as general aviation was concerned. I know have a panel mount gps in my Pacer and a handheld for use in other planes. I use it the Pacers GPS all the time, it makes navigation dead simple, but if it takes a crap on you, you really need to know how to navigate "old school". If the GPS quits (or loses it's signal if it an older weaker model), it WILL NOT happen on a bright sunny day when you are near your local area, it WILL happen when you are on a trip over difficult non familar terrain or in marginal weather ;)

Matt/Tim/Scott,

I also agree pilots need to know both. Even on MS Flight Sim the earlier versions only had VOR navigation. It really makes you appreciate the GPS even more. I also think that all new DE drivers should have to learn to drive an early 911 before driving their new cars. :D

The problem with GPS and the new modern instruments is that the younger pilots usually seem to rely on them far too much and when they fail, they are in a world of hurt.

Us old timers were taught to look out the window and figure out where you were by "pilotage" that is looking at the countryside and things in it, then figuring out on the map. Looking at water towers with the city name on it, railroads and highways and such going in a certain direction, lakes, rivers and natural formations.

I seem to find that the new pilots in my plane put 100% faith into the EFIS and GPS instruments and almost never look outside. When doing a checkride I cover the tube up and ask them where they are and they usually are totally lost. Hand them a map and make them look outside and figure it out. Its just like the old days where you did a night landing or four and then the instructor turns the lights off in the cockpit and makes you do a couple more, using your senses only for airspeed and altitude. Humbling at times but there very well may be a time when the power goes out on the airplane or instrument and you have to improvise. Knowing what to do BEFORE this happens is a good thing.

The GPS is a wonderful tool. Use it together with your other assets in the plane and your skull to make the flight a safer and better one.