In this guide, we will go over some of the most common challenges for student pilots and how they can overcome them. Read below to learn more!
Flight training isn’t without its challenges. From ground training to practical training, countless tests, numerous certifications, and a highly competitive industry, aviation is truly one of the most challenging skills that one can master.
However, it is not all doom and gloom! With challenges, there are also a lot of ways to overcome them. Students usually fall into the pitfall of despair when starting flight training, but with the right mindset, some useful tips, and effective strategies, anyone can overcome their fears and learn to master the art of flight.
In this guide, we will go over some of the most common challenges for student pilots and how they can overcome them. Read below to learn more!
TOP CHALLENGES FOR STUDENT PILOTS STARTING IN AVIATION
Flight training is extensive, exhaustive, and requires a lot of attention. This isn’t just a side skill that you learn and then grow out of. Once you enter a flight programme, you can be sure that you will come out the other side a changed person.
There are several challenges to learning to fly a light aircraft for student pilots. Let’s go over some of the most common ones:
Financial Challenges
Aviation isn’t cheap! The sheer number of resources along with the vast infrastructure required to make aviation possible make it one of the most expensive industries in the world. While the aviation industry has done a marvellous job at subsidising a lot of these costs, some of them do eventually pass down to the students – and that is the number one challenge that they must learn to overcome.
Learning to fly, even as a hobby can be expensive. Typically flight training programmes cover fees such as aircraft rental fees, fuel costs, training materials, licensing fees, medical licensing fees, flight training fees, documentation fees, certification fees, and much more. If you add these costs up, they amount to a very intimidating sum.
This is why student pilots are required to understand the financial requirements of taking up aviation before anything else. Sure, there are discounts, scholarships, deals/offers, and incentives, but the fact of the matter is that no matter what, aviation will still always require deep pockets. The average cost for a private license can go anywhere between £12,000 and £16,000.
Learning to become a commercial pilot requires even deeper pockets since it can be even more expensive with additional training and licensing costs.
However, there are upsides to this as well. For example, many comprehensive flight schools, such as Sherburn Aero Club, offer dedicated programs for young pilots looking to get into commercial aviation early. One benefit of this is that they get subsidised pricing and the ability to graduate earlier and start earning from their commercial license as soon as possible.
Private pilots can also get subsidised pricing based on the policies of their aero clubs – but if you truly want to get into the world of aviation, you must consider your budget very carefully and bootstrap your training whenever possible. For example, you can apply for incentives, scholarships, and any new offers that may arise during your training to get financial relief. In some cases, you can even get sponsored by veteran pilots and clubs through special programs.
We also recommend that student pilots speak to experienced and veteran pilots to learn more about what to expect financially during training and the strategies used to maximise training with a limited budget.
Commitment Challenges
Another challenge student pilots face is commitment, or more precisely, a lack of commitment. Aviation is like any other discipline. It requires strict commitment and focus. If you lack in giving it your all during training, then you might lose both time and resources.
If a student pilot enrols in a flight programme but takes gaps in their training to fulfil other obligations, then it is likely that they will have to repeat their lessons, especially if they have a weak understanding of the theoretical and practical concepts of aviation.
Flight training involves ground and practical training, along with a plethora of examinations. Not focusing on any one of these will not only delay your license but also make you struggle down the road.
An easy way to overcome this problem is to commit to a regular timetable and practice self-discipline. These are simple but powerful strategies for dealing with commitment issues and maximising flight training.
Technical Challenges
A problem student pilots face early on is overcoming the technical jargon used in flight training. Aviation is a highly technical and practical field that requires pilots to be highly well-versed in all the lingo and technicalities of flight training.
If you are new to these factors, then it would be a great idea to start early and look for online resources that can help you get started. The earlier you start, the more your flight training will make sense. We recommend watching instructional videos and learning from additional materials for the best results.
Physical and Mental Challenges
If you think flight training doesn’t require mental and physical training, then think again! Flight training requires considerable mental and physical skills. Physical and mental aptitudes are a vital requirement for any great pilot and if you want to excel in your hobby or career in aviation, then you will have to reframe your mindset and be physically fit.
When you meet an experienced pilot, you will notice their calm demeanour and their strategic thinking skills. Pilots are required to make quick decisions and all great pilots possess the ability to think strategically and effectively. They can also handle stressful situations without compromising their ability to fly.
If this doesn’t sound like you then don’t worry. Every pilot starts fresh and even if they innately don’t have these skills, the flight and ground training that you will receive will sharpen your intuition and skills over time.
TOP TRAINING CHALLENGES FOR STUDENT PILOTS
Now that you know the overarching general challenges in aviation, let’s dive deeper into flight training and the most common training challenges student pilots may face during their flight programme:
Weather Challenges
If there is one thing that every pilot stresses over, it’s the weather. While modern aviation has made weather forecasts very reliable, there are times when the weather just doesn’t align with your plans.
Learning to read weather patterns, understand trends, and use forecasts to plan trips are just some of the biggest challenges student pilots face early in their journey. However, the good news is that by using extensive and reliable weather reports, forecasting tools, and studying past trends, student pilots can learn how to overcome weather challenges very effectively.
ATC Challenges
Air Traffic Control (ATC) is like traffic police but for the skies. The ATC controls all the traffic in the air, as well as the aeroplanes on the ground. This is why communicating with ground personnel is of utmost importance, especially for student pilots.
Many candidates struggle with communicating effectively and using shorthand language to convey important information. Remember, when you’re flying, you aren’t looking for long conversations with the ground crew. Pilots are required to convey information concisely and precisely for maximum effectiveness and safety.
The good news is that top-class aero clubs, like Sherburn, offer dedicated FRTOL (Flight Radiotelephony) courses that can help student pilots achieve the highest standards of radio communication.
Visibility and Instrument Challenges
Instrument flying is what makes modern aviation possible. Even in the face of bad weather, pilots can be relied on to fly aircraft safely using the onboard instruments.
Flying outside of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) can be quite daunting for new student pilots. However, there are a lot of training courses and additional certifications that students can opt for to improve their flight skills after dark. These skills are not only required for commercial flight training but can also open up new opportunities for flight for students going for a Private Pilot License.
Aircraft Management Challenges
Just like a car, aircraft require maintenance as well. Maintenance is a huge foundation for safe flying in aviation. However, due to its complexities and requirement for intuition, student pilots can struggle with maintenance tasks.
The good news is that your flight training will extensively cover aircraft maintenance as well as limitations. So, you will eventually learn how to build the right skill set to tackle these issues. However, another great way to overcome these challenges is by studying the maintenance schedule of your aircraft and asking questions about the maintenance tasks from the engineering team on the ground.
Pilots are required to be inquisitive, and the more questions you ask, the more you will learn about how to deal with maintenance tasks for your aircraft!
Landing Challenges (Crosswind, Runway Difficulties)
Aircraft landing isn’t as straightforward as just pointing the aircraft down and contacting the runway. There are a lot of subtleties that include crosswind. A strong crosswind can force the aircraft to go off the runway!
To overcome these challenges, student pilots are required to study aerodynamics, and meteorology, and practise various descent protocols. Communication also plays a role during these situations since you will have to constantly be in contact with the ground crew (ATC) while coming down on the runway.
In-Flight Emergencies
Pilots are bound to face in-flight emergencies during their training or tenure as commercial or private pilots. The nature of these emergencies can range from medical to mechanical, and even environmental.
You may face a situation where you are required to ground the aeroplane due to a medical emergency for a passenger (or yourself). In some cases, you may also have to ground the plane due to bad weather or a mechanical fault in the aircraft. These situations can be high-risk and very stressful, especially for student pilots.
Luckily, one way to overcome this challenge is to practise and gain insight into how other pilots deal with these issues. We recommend sitting in on workshops, conferences, and special speaker sessions to learn vicariously what to do during these emergencies.
Human Limitations
Medical conditions such as fatigue, stress, or bodily ailments can hinder a pilot’s ability to operate aircraft. Student pilots often face fatigue and stress which can plausibly compromise a flight. This is why students need to learn their own limitations.
Both aircraft and humans have limitations that can increase risk during flight, but if you can learn to set aside your ego, and learn how to recognise and control your limitations, you can become a more capable pilot.
Regulatory Challenges
If you are the type of person who has trouble with authority, then you might not be able to become a great pilot. The aviation industry is governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which has set strict rules and regulations that all pilots must follow for not just their own safety, but the safety of others as well.
Failing to follow any protocol may result in suspension and, in extreme cases, the CAA also reserves the right to disqualify a pilot and revoke their flying privileges.
A great way to overcome these challenges is to practise self-discipline. Being self-aware, empathetic, and disciplined can not only help you avoid penalties and fines, but it can also go a long way in being a highly capable pilot.
On-Ground Challenges
A pilot’s ability is gauged by not only how they fly, but how they conduct themselves on the ground. Pilots are culturally seen as role models around the world. No matter where you go, everyone reveres pilots and looks up to their demeanour.
If you are someone who isn’t disciplined and doesn’t decently engage with others, then you can forget your prospects of becoming one of the greats.
Student pilots with substance use issues will particularly find aviation very challenging. Not to mention, they will also face several challenges in maintaining a stable career in aviation.
The CAA carefully goes through every candidate’s profile before deeming them worthy of a license. So, if you have personal issues, then you might end up delaying your license until you work on yourself and your mindset.
One way to overcome these challenges is to speak to other successful pilots and learn from their demeanour. You can also rely on your flight instructor to help you overcome these challenges and become a better version of yourself.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, Sherburn caters to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us on 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on the challenges related to flying a plane and how Sherburn Aero Club can help!
Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash
