Jason Schappert is A Certified Flight Instructor author of 4 aviation flight training titles and the creator of the best selling Online Ground School at m0a.com
A pilot since 16 years of age Jason has the experience and qualifications to help you with any aspect of your flight training. Visit his blog at MzeroA.com for help with all facets of flight training. About Jason Schappert
April 21st, 2010
Everyone has dreamed of flying, and everyone deserves to attempt to fly. Thanks to modern aviation it is now possible for anyone to allow their dreams of flight to take form. With flight schools, the ordinary man can now learn to fly and touch the skies. However, you need to take the steps yourself to learn to fly and gain the gift of flight.
Find a School or Independent CFI?
In order to start your path towards becoming a pilot, you should find start finding a good school. There should be one or two that you can find in your area. Take time to look around, and use the Internet especially to your advantage. There is also a lot of information that you can find about Independent CFI’s (Certified Flight Instructors) near you or your city if you just be patient enough to search through the Internet. When you find them, compile a list of their names and use as it as your reference for further research. The real question to ask yourself is: Do I want that private one on one instruction or is the flight school environment where I may fly with an array of instructors more for me? Look into prices for both. You may be very surprised. Read More >>
Posted in Private | No Comments »
April 21st, 2010
For some time now, you have been training under a CFI who has helped you every step of the way. From the preflight checklist up until the moment you set the wheels down and taxi to the hangar. Now, you of all people should understand that nothing lasts forever, including your student pilot status.
Cirrus SR-22 m0a.com
The private pilot checkride is a mandatory exam that is given at the peak of one’s flying lessons after the student pilot has accumulated at least 40 hours of flight training. Passing the private pilot checkride will result into the much coveted private pilot certificate or the license to fly the skies on your own. Because of that, some student pilots are understandably stressed and anxious when their private pilot checkride is approaching. As if the hefty price tag of training and checkride isn't enough!
While the nerves are pretty normal for any student pilot, it is imperative that they are calm before the checkride. In order to do that, it is time to educate yourself about what one can expect during the test. Some misconceptions actually abound about the checkride, which add further unnecessary stress to the budding private pilot. Here's 2 things you CAN expect.
Read More >>
Posted in Private | 2 Comments »
April 21st, 2010
The real question is why shouldn’t you? Learning to Fly is one of the greatest things you can do. Everyone has a chance to be a pilot but few ever pursue the goal. There are however a few misconceptions about learning to fly that I’ll be shedding light on. 
Here’s some notions you need to throw out the window…
I Can’t Learn to Fly It’s Too Expensive!
I’ll be honest with you flying can be expensive. But it by no means will break the bank like many people think! There are so many factors that go into play. Read More >>
Posted in Certification | No Comments »
April 5th, 2010
If I took a survey of most frequently asked question delivered to my inbox, this one ranks pretty high.
“I want to learn to fly! Where do I start?”
Some instructors would tell you “hop in the plane and lets go!” Which can be fine but there is more to flying then just getting in the plane!
Have you ever considered the ground instruction, self study, and financial attachments involved?
A great instructor will share with you the ins and outs of training to help you become the safest pilot and save the most money. Read More >>
Posted in Training | 4 Comments »
March 18th, 2010
It is a fact that, no matter how advanced today’s aircraft have become, there is still the human side of the equation to think about. Humans control the technology, but we're not as advanced as the machinery that we're operating.
Human factor is crucial to aviation, this is because humans remained the same throughout the improvements in the technology for aircraft. Thus, aeronautical companies like Cessna and Boeing are considering the human factor in designing aircraft. This way, an aircraft still advances to a level with new technology, but can still be tailored to fit the limitations of its human pilots. For one, they can avoid the occurrences of accidents that are commonly associated with human error.
One area to concentrate in is the cockpit. The cockpit is the most important part of any aircraft that is human controlled. Accidents can actually occur at the onset of an error that causes a pilot to panic, and confusing panels can make it hard for the pilot to react quickly. Read More >>
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
March 12th, 2010
Have you ever had the dream of flying but also thought that it is too elusive for someone like you? Flight is actually a gift that is freely available to anyone, as long as you have the determination and passion for the craft. Anyone can learn to fly, that is a fact. All one needs to do is just know how they can approach such a goal to make it real.
Now, how does one start flight lessons? Here are some requirements that you first must comply with before you can start learning how to fly from a qualified flight instructor:
The Age Requirement
Anyone can learn to fly, as mentioned earlier. In fact there actually is no age requirement when speaking in terms of taking flight lessons. However there is a requirement when it comes to solo flight or taking your private pilot checkride (your final test). In the United States you must be at least 16 to solo and 17 to take your checkride. Don't let this deter you! I teach students as young as 13 and 14 so they can prepare to solo on their 16th birthdays!
Read More >>
Posted in Training | 8 Comments »
March 8th, 2010
As a student pilot, one could feel that the world is his oyster when he’s up there flying in the skies... but only because there’s a CFI sitting right beside him. If he does something wrong, the instructor is there to back him up or even to cover his back. Your instructor will correct whatever mistakes you might make and give direction to avoid doing the same thing again. It’s like having a supportive parent in your childhood: there’s always someone to take care of the worrying for you.
However, life as well as being a pilot is not like that. Now, the question is: how do you prove to your instructor that you are good enough for him to let go of you? This is something I personally struggled with when pursuing my private pilot certificate.
However when it came down to it. I was ready for my private pilot checkride and passed with ease. It may have been years ago but the ideology hasn't changed a bit.
I Was Prepared
I knew what needed to be done, I had studied like crazy, and knew the cross country route he gave me inside and out. You need to be overly prepared for your checkride. Any question is fair game and you should be ready to answer. The main focus is your cross country flight plan. Know everything you can about it. Have backup plans, study the airspace along the route etc...
Read More >>
Posted in Private | No Comments »
March 5th, 2010
Alright so now you have reached the minimum number of hours needed for you to achieve private pilot status. You've studied for hours and put in all the required effort. So, what comes next? That would be your private pilot checkride.
Keep in mind that you have invested a lot of time and money into your private pilot training, and there should be only one return for you to reap: the private pilot certificate. With that certificate you can now pursue your dream of conquering the skies and enjoying the rare gift of flight.
In order to successfully pass your test, you need to be very prepared. You would need to bring a few things with you during the day of your private pilot checkride. Consider these as your tools or your life lines during the practical examination. With these tools at hand, you are well equipped and ready to take on whatever things that come up during your checkride.
Here are three important things to have at hand when you are about to embark on your private pilot checkride.
Read More >>
Posted in Private | 2 Comments »
March 2nd, 2010
Every student pilot knows that flying solo for the first time is inevitable from the moment he started to learn to fly. A student pilot can consider his first solo flight as a culmination of the effort and time exerted into flight training. That, however, still does not take away the stress or the anxiety that is usually attached to the thought of flying alone for the first time.
Your first solo jitters although normal are quite needless, however. A student pilot instead should enjoy his first solo flight rather than fear it, as it is the start of an enjoyable career in aviation.
Don’t Doubt Yourself
You have to remember, first and foremost, that you should not doubt yourself. Read More >>
Posted in Training | 1 Comment »
February 19th, 2010
Airspace is actually classified into several classes, and one of these is Class B. The B tag here is very accurate, and is meant to stand for “big.” That is a fact, because Class B is indeed the biggest airspace there is for any pilot to navigate. Even if it is big, it is actually very crowded as majority of the world’s traffic fly through Class B airspace. Thus, for a pilot, it is important to understand Class B airspace as it can help him navigate this sector of aerial territory effectively and safely since both large and small aircraft are found in Class B. Read More >>
Posted in Training | 5 Comments »
