Introductory Flight

The introductory flight will provide you with an initial flight experience and give you an insight into some elements of learning to fly and earning a private pilot certificate.

The introductory flight is an approximately two hour block with about an actual hour of flight time and will consist of the following:

Pre-Flight Inspection of the aircraft:

  • The instructor will carry out the required pre-flight checks of the aircraft to ensure it is ready for flight. You may observe and ask questions if you so wish to do so.

Passenger safety brief including:

  • Use of checklists during the flight so to ensure nothing important is missed.
  • Use and operation of seat belts
  • Operation of door(s)
  • Action and a meeting place in case of emergency

Airplane start up

  • Operation of the airplane’s communication radio.
  • Communication with ATC (Ground Control) to request a taxi clearance.
  • Taxi from airplane parking area to active runway
  • Airplane Run-up and Take off briefing

Takeoff

  • Normal takeoff and climb.
  • Short flight to the local training area to carry out some flight maneuvers
  • Climbs / Turns / Descents
  • Turns to Headings

Return to the airport

  • Listen to ATIS for current airport information
  • Call Hanscom ATC (Tower) to request entry to airspace and landing instructions
  • Join the airport traffic pattern
  • Land on the active runway

Taxi back to the aircraft parking ramp

  • After exiting the active runway – complete the after landing checklist
  • Call Hanscom ATC (Ground)
  • Taxi back to the ramp

Parking

  • Call for fuel top-off
  • Shut down airplane
  • Secure Airplane

Return to the terminal building

  • Questions and answers
  • Sign your log book (if you have one or wish to purchase one)
  • Next steps

Next Steps 

The following information will help you as you take your next steps in your journey to become a pilot.

Private Pilot certificate requirements

In order to earn your Private Pilot certificate, there are specified requirements and aeronautical experience that you will need to fulfill , The requirements are listed below and can be found in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) 14 CFR 61.109

  • Be at least 17 years of age.
  • Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
  • Obtain a FAA medical certificate or operate under BasicMed (if you have previously held a medical certificate)
  • Obtain a FAA student pilot certificate.
  • Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course.
  • Pass a FAA knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. (https://faa.psiexams.com/FAA/login)

Aeronautical Experience

  • Complete at least 40 hrs required total flight time in any category and class of aircraft – including:

Dual Flight Training

  • At least 20 hrs Dual flight training minimum in any aircraft including:
  • 3 hrs dual cross country in a single engine airplane 
  • 3 hrs dual night time* in a single engine airplane
    • Including one dual cross country night flight over 100 nm
    • Including 10 takeoffs and landings at night dual to full stop
  • 3 hrs dual instrument time (hood or actual) in single engine airplane
  • 3 hrs dual check-ride prep in a single engine airplane in past 2 calendar months

Solo Flight Time

  • 10 hrs Solo flight (minimum) in single engine airplane including:
  • 5 hrs solo cross country time in single engine airplane
    • Including one flight over 150 nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 50 nm
    • 3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with a working tower.

Practical Test

  • Pass a FAA practical test. (AKA Check ride) The FAA practical test, which is conducted by an either a FAA pilot examiner or a FAA designated pilot examiner ( DPE):
  • The practical test consists of: 
  • Oral exam
  • Flight test.

Ground School

In order to pass the FAA knowledge test you will need to complete a course of study (ground school).  While of the required information can be found in manuals that the FAA publish, most students take the self study courses.

There are a number of popular courses that will help you during your flight training and also help you with your FAA knowledge test preparation. These courses include:

Items you will need for flight training

  • Log book:  You will need a logbook and you will need to have it with you for every lesson and flight you make as a student pilot. This will contain a log of all of your lessons, flights, endorsements, certificates and ratings.
  • Fuel Strainer: (you can buy one at East Coast Aero Club, Sportys.com, Amazon.com etc.)
  • Kneeboard: You will need a kneeboard keep a notepad to hand in order write down essential flight data, ATC instructions or clearances and any other useful information while you are flying. You can find kneeboards on line at sites such as www.flyboys.com, www.sportys.com , Battle Board, amazon.com  etc – or you can purchase one at East Coast Aero Club
  • Headset: You are welcome to use an East Coast Aero Club “loaner” headset for your flights. However many student pilots choose to buy their own headset as  they continue in their training. There are a wide range of headsets for sale from very cheap to very expensive. (www.sportys.com) (www.pilotmall.com) (amazon.com) (ebay.com) Speak to a CFI before you commit to buying one!! 
  • Flight bag: Many pilots have a dedicated flight bag to keep their flight equipment organized in (headset – fuel strainer, kneeboard etc) These can be found at www.sportys.com, www.pilotmall.com amazon.com etc or You may use any back pack or bag you already have!
  • E6B flight computer. The E6B flight computer is a form of circular slide rule used in aviation. These mechanical flight computers are still used in flight training for flight planning in order to make calculations for the flight. The E6B is used to aid calculating fuel burn, wind correction, time en route, and other items. In the air, the flight computer can be used to calculate ground speed, estimated fuel burn and updated estimated time of arrival. E6B’s can be purchased from East Coast Aero Club office, www.sportys.com), (www.pilotmall.com) (amazon.com)
  • EFB Most pilots now choose to use an iPad as an “EFB” electronic flight bag for flight information purposes with app such as Foreflight, Garmin Pilot or FlyQ EFB in the cockpit. This replaces the paper charts and provides all of the information you need to plan flights, weather, weather briefing, filing flight plans, etc etc. You don’t need at the beginning of your training, but its something to consider as you begin your solo and cross country flights.

Passes and Certificates you will need for flight training

  • FAA Medical: You will need a FAA medical certificate before you can solo. For a full list of Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) go to https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
    note: There is an AME at Hanscom, Dr Arnold Sperling (781) 538-5213
  • Student Pilot Certificate: You will need  to apply for and receive a student pilot certificate before you are able to fly solo!  Go to https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert for more information.
    • Visit https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) site and create an account. Make a note of the FTN when you have your account created!!
  • Hanscom security pass: This is essential to have so you can go out on the ramp and perform pre-flights actions on the aircraft unescorted. Speak to the anyone in the ECAC dispatch office, they will help you with this!