The COVID-19 pandemic turned our world upside down, and it seems like it’ll be a while before things are truly “back to normal.” You already know how the pandemic affected your daily routine, but you probably don’t know what life is like for pilots right now. This post from your pilot training experts will cover everything you should know.
Pilots are still on the job
Although it’s creeping back up, travel demand was at an all-time low during the height of the pandemic. But some travelers still needed to fly, and pilots were standing by waiting to take them where they needed to go. Airlines did have to furlough or lay off many pilots, flight attendants and other employees, but those who kept their jobs continued to work.
International regulations change daily
If you’ve been frustrated trying to keep up with your local COVID-19 regulations, imagine what pilots and airline employees have to deal with. Effective travel bans meant some airports were completely shut down to international travel. For example, at one point there were only 13 airports in the United States accepting overseas arrivals.
Health and hygiene are a priority
Pilots learn all about safety during their pilot training. What they don’t learn as much about, though, is hygiene in the skies. Pilots sit just a few feet away from each other in the cockpit, and they both have to touch the same buttons to operate the plane. Pilots have begun routinely sanitizing all buttons and switches to help reduce the spread of germs.
Do you want to become a pilot?
If you’ve ever been interested in learning how to fly an airplane, now’s the time to do it! There’s still demand for new pilots, even in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not a quick process, though. These are the steps you must take to earn your pilot’s license:
- Enroll in flight school: Your first step is picking a flight school. Find one with a good reputation and accredited instructors.
- Get your student pilot certificate: You’ll need a student pilot certificate to fly with your instructor. You can apply online through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Start ground school classes: Practical knowledge is just as important as your flight lessons. Much of the knowledge needed to become a pilot is learned in the classroom.
- Begin flight lessons: You’ll also start training on a flight simulator and in the sky while you’re taking classes. Students are paired with a certified flight instructor (CFI) during this process.
- Pass the written exam: The FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test is an exam that’ll assess all of your knowledge learned in classes and during your flying lessons.
- Pass the check ride: The final step is passing the FAA Private Pilot Practical Test, also known as the check ride. Once you pass this practical exam, you’re an official private pilot!
Enroll with First Flight Aviation today
Take the first step in learning how to fly an airplane by enrolling in our flight school. Our instructors at First Flight Aviation go above and beyond to ensure you have the training needed to become a private pilot, and you can rest easy knowing that we take COVID-19 precautions seriously.