Tips That Every Aspiring Pilot Should Consider

What better way to take the world into your hands than by taking control of the cockpit and flying wherever your heart desires? Whether you plan to be a pilot professionally or recreationally, there are a few tips that every aspiring pilot should consider to succeed and make the most of every flight.

Managing Your Logbook

Your logbook is an essential tool for logging your time flying and the details of your time in the air—flight time, number of landings, types of instrument approaches made, etc. Also, you need it to meet the minimum requirements of a certificate, rating, flight review, instrument proficiency tests, and even currency.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to establish good logging practices early—creating detailed logs that are easy to navigate and sort through. A neat and tidy logbook will show that you are a responsible pilot and will make the bureaucratic process of documentation and certifications much quicker.

Choosing a Headset

Headsets are an essential part of a pilot’s kit because they protect their ears from being damaged and allow pilots to communicate with air traffic control. In some planes, the cockpit can get so loud as to cause permanent damage to your hearing and make it impossible to talk with anyone. For this reason, consider how long you expect to be flying when choosing your headset.

Short flights can get away with headsets that are primarily functional without worrying about them becoming uncomfortable or painful. However, if you’re planning on going the distance, you should always prioritize comfort.

Balance Your Time

Balancing your time means knowing when to land and take a break and diversifying your piloting experiences. This is a crucial tip that every aspiring pilot should consider because this will keep you sharp and familiar with all aspects of flying while also demonstrating your skill as a pilot.

If you intend to fly professionally, a diversified record of piloting experiences is invaluable to potential employers. Examples of diversified piloting experiences include night flying or cross-country flying.