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Intro Flight
Your flight training will likely begin with an introductory flight with an instructor. From the very first flight, you will be flying the plane under the watchful eye of the instructor, and exploring the sensations of flight in a small plane. You will begin with gentle turns, an explanation of some of the plane's instruments, and other items you need to be familiar with.
Pre-Solo Instruction
After your intro flight, you will learn basic flight maneuvers like takeoffs and landings, steep turns, and begin training in emergency procedures. The purpose of this phase is to prepare you for your first solo flight. All of the training in this phase is done under the close watch of your instructor, who will accompany you on every flight.
During this phase of training, you will likely be attending ground school in preparation for your solo.
When you and your instructor feel you are ready, you will perform your first solo flight. This is a day you will never forget, three takeoffs and landings on your own.
After you solo, you will be "signed off" by your instructor to fly within a few miles of your home airport. This will enable you to practice your maneuvers without your instructor in the plane with you.
Navigation Training
Now you can takeoff and land unassisted, but flying generally involves going somewhere! In this phase of training, you will be doing some flying alone to practice your maneuvers, and some flying with your instructor to learn how to find your way across the landscape to a destination.
You will learn several methods of navigation, including:
You will hone these skills on several cross country flights with your instructor.
Solo Cross Country Flights
Your cross country training will culminate in a series of solo cross country flights. On the first, you will fly to an airport at least 50 miles away and return. On the second, you will fly a course of at least 150 miles that includes landings at two other airports.
Controlled Field Procedures
Interspersed with your cross country flying will be training in flying in the controlled airspace around large airports like Mansfield, Akron Canton, and even Cleveland Hopkins. You will perform takeoffs and landings at one or more of these airports, learn interaction with air traffic control, and experience the thrill of flying into the same airports as airliners.
Night Flying
You will also receive flight training at night, including the differences in navigation. You and your instructor will complete an exciting night cross country flight.
Hood Flying
You will spend a number of hours learning to fly "under the hood", meaning flying only on reference to your flight instruments. This is designed to help you should you accidentally stray into clouds or other bad weather while flying that prevents you from seeing the horizon. While this training will not allow you to fly in bad weather, it will improve your emergency skills.
Pre-Checkride Practice
At this point, your training is nearly complete. You and your instructor will begin an intensive review of everything you've learned to ensure that you are ready to become a private pilot.
The Check Ride
To receive your license, you will need to complete a test with a highly experienced pilot known as a Designated Examiner. You and the DE will first discuss many aspects of flying on the ground, and then fly to demonstrate your skill. You will be demonstrating the same manuevers you were trained in, and you'll show you can safely navigate and handle emergencies.
Once your test is successfully completed, your DE will sign your logbook and issue you a temporary certificate. From then on, you have all the priviledges of a Private Pilot!