Information you might find useful!
This Tool Can SAVE HUNDREDS on Flight Training
According to a 2022 article from Flying magazine, earning your pilot certificate can cost between $10,000 and $20,000. The article breaks down the various costs and notes that the biggest dollar items are the rental costs of about $100 per hour and the instructor time of between $50 to $60 per hour. The article goes on to say that while the FAA only requires 40 hours of flight training to earn a pilot certificate, most students take between 60 to 70 hours. With this in mind, it would seem that the best strategies for reducing the cost of flight training would be those that help you finish as close to 40 hours as possible.
The Financial Impact of Overtime Flight Hours
In fact, using pricing from the article, the difference between 40 hours and 70 hours could be as much as $4,800. There are lots of things that can increase the number of required training hours. However, there are only a few things that can help reduce those hours, and they all start with one commonly overlooked tool that you're probably very familiar with: the lowly notebook.
But Scott, how can a simple notebook save me so much money during my flight training? Well, I'm glad you asked. Before I get into the specifics, let's take a second to explore why I'd recommend something so old-fashioned.
The Benefits of Writing by Hand
In this age of smartphones, tablets, and other digital tools, why use paper and pen or pencil? According to multiple studies and online sources, writing by hand not only improves learning but also helps people remember information longer—even if those notes are never reviewed. Scientists believe this is because writing by hand requires more effort and thought than typing. Think about it: when typing, all of your hand motions are relatively similar, but the act of writing the letter “t” is very different from the act of writing a “w.” This additional effort and the fact that writing forces you to slow down and focus more all aid in the coding and retention of information.
In short, handwriting your notes in a notebook, or using a stylus on a digital device, can move you from being a passive student to being an active learner. There's a growing body of evidence showing that active learners not only learn faster and retain information longer, but are also more likely to be able to use that information to solve real-world problems.
What Should You Be Writing?
I suggest students start with the following seven tips:
Homework and Reading Assignments: Write down any homework or reading your instructor assigns to you. Additionally, when you can, write down when you think you'll complete that assignment. This doesn't guarantee that you'll do it, but multiple studies have shown that writing goals and plans makes you 42% more likely to achieve them.
Questions for Your Instructor: When doing your homework, write down any questions that occur to you. At your next lesson, ask the question and then write down the answer.
Procedures for Maneuvers: Write down all procedures for all maneuvers you'll be doing. In essence, create your own flight operations manual. This will not only help you prepare for upcoming lessons, but can also serve as a valuable review tool should you not be able to fly for an extended period.
Lesson Debrief Notes: Take notes during each lesson debrief. You're paying good money for your instructor's opinion regarding the flight, so make sure you record them for later. This information can also be used to refine your maneuver notes as you get more experience.
Journal About Each Flight: Now, I'm not talking about getting all touchy-feely, and this doesn't have to be long, but do a thorough self-debrief. Use bullet points. Date the entry, describe the goals, describe what went well and why. Then write down what you should have done better and what you'll do to fix it.
Plans of Action for Upcoming Flights: Again, this doesn't have to take more than a few minutes. Use bullet points to record what maneuvers you'll be practicing, decide what order you'll be doing them, and then record how you'll know if they go well or not.
Record Critical Information: Record everything you think is critical, especially things you've had to be reminded of more than once.
To make this tool even more useful, I recommend dividing it into at least four sections. Feel free to add more or fewer as you find helpful. The first section is for journal and note entries. The second is for definitions, mnemonics, and acronyms. Third is your personal flight operations manual, and the final section is for questions and answers.
"Writing goals and plans makes you 42% more likely to achieve them."
Making Your Notebook a Powerful Tool
This personal reference now becomes a tool that you can use to help remember not only the knowledge areas but also practice the skill areas. How do you do that? Well, that's the subject of the video here:
https://youtu.be/7nl8gKWg_-o
As always, thank you for reading, fly safely, and I will see you next time!
My youtube channel page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsL7NhNacqrVc-9vbrkyHEQ ?sub_confirmation=1
Struggling with a skill or knowledge area? Are you nervous about your prep for a check ride? Schedule a One-on-One session! I still have a few slots left, but they fill up fast.
https://tidycal.com/scottkoon/60-minute-one-on-one
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