How flight lessons work (and how to study)

Brief, fly, debrief

Almost every flight lesson has three parts. In the briefing, your CFI explains what you'll do and why. In the flight, you practice it. In the debrief, you talk about what went well and what to work on, and your instructor logs the lesson and any endorsements. Don't rush the debrief; it's where a lot of the learning sticks.

Learn on the ground, practice in the air

Airplane time is the most expensive way to learn something new. The cheapest is on the ground. Before each lesson, read the matching Lesson Prep page and the course lesson, and know the procedure before you get in the airplane.

Chair flying

Sit in a chair at home with your checklist, close your eyes, and fly the lesson in your head: touch the controls, say the radio calls, run the checklist. It sounds silly, but airline pilots do it, and it really works. It builds the "flow" so the airplane doesn't feel so busy.

A simple study routine

• 2-4 course lessons a week, in order. Pass each lesson check before moving on.
• Before every flight: read the Lesson Prep page for that lesson.
• After every flight: write down two things that went well and one to improve.
• From about Unit 6 on: start doing short practice written tests to find your weak areas.