You Can Fly - 2021 edition - 14

WHY I FLY

" I love to fly because it's
a privilege of viewing the
world from a bird's-eye
view. It's an indescribable
feeling that every time you
lift off you have a sense of
freedom, excitement, and a
feeling that never gets old.
I belong in the sky. "
-Helicopter EMS pilot Sam Poirier

SAM POIRIER

FLIGHT LESSONS AND MONEY MATTERS

Before you start flight training, make sure you're
committed to the journey. The most cost-effective,
efficient way to earn your pilot certificate is to fly
consistently and study often. Make sure you can
commit to the time it'll take to show up for lessons,
and show up prepared and studied up. Think about
when you want to start your training, too-if you
plan to fly before or after work, starting in the heart
of winter may be difficult. The long days of summer
might suit you better.
There's an old and cheesy aviation joke that
goes like this: What makes an airplane fly? Answer:
Money!
And it isn't wrong. Flight training costs a chunk
of change no matter how you spin it. For some,
money isn't an issue. For others, though, it can be the
biggest barrier between dreams and reality. Since we
know that the key to fewer lessons is often consistent
flight training, one lesson a month isn't going to cut
it. If you're seriously committed to flight training,
you can set yourself up for success by already having
the money needed for training set aside (see " Cost
Analysis, " page 41).

Sometimes (because of weather, maintenance,
and other unforeseeable events intrinsic to the
human condition) a lesson will get delayed outside
of your control-so control what you can, and fly
as often as possible. Flying more often not only
improves the rate of your progress, it makes you a
more proficient and safer pilot.
SAFETY

Flying should be predictable-but we still prepare
for times when it might not be. An airplane is not
like a car, or a motorcycle, or a boat. You can't simply
pull over if something starts to go wrong. Because of
that, part of your training will cover how to handle
emergencies. This may be stressful at first, but it
is all meant to prepare you-just in case. And, your
instructor will be there to make sure you feel comfortable and secure, so that you can have the tools
to handle an emergency before you need them. Your
instructor's primary job is not to make you a great
pilot, but to make you a safe pilot-safe enough for
you to fly by yourself, and to prepare you for your
checkride and the eventual responsibility (and privilege) of carrying passengers.

ASI TIP

" Fly! When the weather is good, the student is available, the
instructor is available, and the aircraft is airworthy...fly! Don't
procrastinate, and always have a lesson teed up so you can jump at
short notice if all of those conditions suddenly arise. "
-CFI Richard McSpadden, ASI's senior vice president, and former U.S. Air Force
Thunderbird lead pilot

14 FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2021

You Can Fly - 2021 edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of You Can Fly - 2021 edition