How to Become Qualified to Fly a Plane

If you're thinking about joining the mile high club, or just want to know, here is how to complete a successful flight. You can get instruction by going to a flight school at your local airport or join the military air force training program. Note: Many of the details on this page relate to the US only.

Steps

1. Pick up a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator. It doesn't have to be the latest version if your computer is older. First go through the flying lessons and ground school. You will learn a lot about the instruments and systems found in a typical trainer aircraft. You will become familiar with maneuvers and procedures you will need to master for your private pilot exam. Thus you will need to spend less time and money on actual flight lessons, which are quite expensive.
If you can't buy Microsoft Flight Simulator, try X-Plane or FlightGear.

2. Check out weather products such as METARS and TAFs even on days you don't fly. See if conditions match what those products indicate. That way, when you do fly, you'll have a higher confidence in the weather predictions.

3. Raise the nose of the airplane by pulling the control wheel toward you. This will make the airplane climb.

4. Use the throttle control to help the airplane climb.

5. Push the control wheel away from you to descend.




6. Push the right rudder pedal to move the airplane to the right, and vice versa.

7. Turn the control wheel to raise or lower either the right or left wing. This helps the airplane turn faster and is used in conjunction with the rudder.


Certification

1. Your instructor, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), will probably charge for time on the ground as well as in the air. This is not just a way for the CFI to generate more income. If used wisely, you will become proficient more quickly than by just flying. For example, if you study your intended flight prior to the flight lesson, you will optimize the time you spend with your CFI by having smarter questions and clearly understanding what you are going to do. Additionally, you should have (insist upon) a thorough post-flight debrief - even if everything went picture perfect. As you progress in your training these pre and post flight debriefs should get shorter. Bottom line: your time on the ground with your CFI is very important - use your time wisely: gas is expensive! Safe flying!

2. Get your Class III Medical. It's relatively simple to pass if you're in good health. No use starting sometime if you have a health condition that will preclude you from flying. www.faa.gov has the info to help you determine if you have any health exclusions. Thanks to WikiHow