What is a normal lesson going to be like? Usually the instructor will let you know the previous lesson on what to study and read up on for the next lesson. So when you walk through the door you’ll go over the new maneuvers on paper so you know what to expect when you’re in the air.

Next, the preflight, visually inspecting and making sure the aircraft is ready for flight. This is something you will get very familiar with very quick because you do it before every flight. Once that’s all complete you’ll both get in and go through the start up procedure using a checklist.

When your finished with taxi, take-off, and have leveled off at the specified altitude, the instructor will start things off by demonstrating the maneuvers you had reviewed on the ground. Then he will hand the controls over to you and walk you through the process, then allow you to practice the maneuver. A lot of the times you will also practice maneuvers from previous flights.

Once you have a handle on things you will come back in and land. Unless you have several hours under your belt the instructor will probably be assisting you land the aircraft. After you’ve parked the aircraft and shut it down, you’ll go in and have a review session highlighting your strengths and weaknesses of the flight.

From lesson start to lesson finish you can expect it to last anywhere from 1 ½ - 2 hours per lesson.

Now I’ll just go over some of the major stepping stone that you will mark your progress through your training. When you first start out everything is considered pre-solo and everything you do is done with and instructor and you are working on getting proficient enough to fly by your self. All of this initial training is pushing you towards your first solo flight where the instructor tells you to let him out and he watches as you make 3 take-off and landings. This is probably the hardest time for the instructor; you are now on your own for the first time. After your first solo, you’ll solo several more times but, your limited to 25 nautical miles of the airport. So then your training will focus on cross country flying (distances greater then 25nm). First you do cross country with an instructor then when you’re ready you will do a solo cross country. Usually once you hit your cross country training your at the point of polishing up your maneuvers, gaining the necessary hours for the license, and over all brushing up and putting on the final touches to being ready for your check-ride. You get to demonstrate all your skills to a FAA designated examiner, after satisfactory showing him you know how to fly he will issue your coveted private pilot’s license.

This is just a brief what to expect during your training and can vary from instructor to instructor but, generally should contain these elements. Happy Flying.