The Trial Flying Lesson
Advice for a Light Aircraft or Helicopter New Flight Student
A first flying lesson in an aeroplane or helicopter is exciting and possibly a bit daunting. An experienced instructor gives some hints on how to get the most out of it.
Every flying school gives trial lessons (sometimes called air experience flights or demo flights). For some people these are a one-off – a great experience, but they will never fly again. For others, it is the beginning of a course to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence for aeroplanes or helicopters. So what should the student do to get the most out of this lesson?
Is Advance Preparation Required?
The instructor will not expect the student to have done any preparation in advance, and it is not necessary. He or she will explain all that the new student needs to know before they actually go flying. However, the student will learn more and probably find it more enjoyable if he has done some reading in advance and knows what to expect. There are some short books about trial lessons (see Further Reading), and these are well worth reading before the trial lesson.
On the Big Day
Trial lessons can only take place in suitable weather, and will be postponed if there is heavy rain, fog, or strong winds, for example. The new student may have been asked to phone the flying school before setting out to check that the weather is good enough, but this is a good idea in any case. The student should only fly if he is in good health; any hint of a cold, hangover, or upset stomach could well be magnified in the air and will spoil his enjoyment of the flight. It is always possible to postpone trial flights in such situations. The student should wear comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes, since airfields can be muddy, and climbing into some small aircraft is not particularly easy. And if he wants a record of the event, it is fine to take a camera!
The Trial Flight Itself
The new student may be asked to do some paperwork, and then he will meet his instructor. He will probably be given a briefing – a short explanation of what they will be doing and how the aircraft flies. This may take place in a classroom or by the aircraft itself. The instructor and student will then go out to the aircraft, and the student will sit in the captain’s seat – left hand side for aeroplanes, right hand for most helicopters. The instructor will get into the other seat, which will have the same flight controls – all training aircraft have dual controls. The student will be given a headset so that he can communicate with the instructor, and shown how to put it on. The instructor will then start the aircraft, and probably do the initial departure from the airfield.
At some point, probably after the aircraft has reached a safe height, the instructor will demonstrate to the student how the controls work, and then let him have a go at flying. It is important to relax and just enjoy the experience at this point. The trial flight is not a formal lesson, and the instructor will not be judging the student. It is just an opportunity for the student to see what he thinks of flying. If he wishes to stop, or to take some photos, or simply look at the view, he should tell the instructor, who will then take control. If he wishes to see any kind of manoeuvre performed, such as a simulated forced landing, that may also be possible, and he should ask.
After what will probably seem a very short time, the instructor will take control again, and they will return to the airfield.
And then…the student can find out about doing more lessons, getting a Private Pilot’s Licence, or even embarking on a new career in aviation!
Related Articles
Further Reading
Trial Flight Guide, Aeroplane – Dorothy Pooley, Pooley’s Flight Equipment Ltd, 2002.
Trial Flight Guide, Helicopter – Ruth Downey, Pooley’s Flight Equipment Ltd, 2007.
