The Preparation

Yes, it all started much longer ago than I can really go into. So we'll stick to the nuts and bolts for this one.

Like many budding pilots, I spent my time puttering around in Microsoft's various flight simulator worlds. I've never tried the latest incarnations, having decided that simulation only gets you so far. Playing FS2002, I have found that I probably will end up in the category of students who begin training with a fairly substantial knowledge of instruments and basic maneuvers. Of course, the physical tasks, the weather, and the looking outside (among many other things) will all be major learning curves. But I have read that students who have spent at least some time playing the games arrive more prepared for some of the steps. The same goes for those who have been flying in a small plane before, which I have done quite a bit of. So I am optimistic that my training time will at least be average (60 to 70 hours compared to the required 40).

I have subscribed to AOPA Flight Training magazine for about two years, so I have been gearing up for the real thing by reading articles and familiarizing myself with the FAA regs. I have also bought several books (which I will describe next time), downloaded countless books and publications online, and have generally tried to absorb as much about flying as possible without actually operating the aircraft myself. We shall see how much of this pays off and how many bad habits I'll need to unlearn.