Launching Strong:
Your First Flights
handled with care
The July 2025 issue of NAFI Mentor Magazine featured the article
“Making Aviators: The Formative First 25 Hrs” by Jason Miller.
I had just gone through a challenging start with a new Private Pilot applicant. As I reflected on the experience, I began compiling lessons learned—considering what I might have done differently and how I could have taken better control of circumstances that initially felt outside my influence.
Right in the middle of that reflection, the universe placed this article in my hands at exactly the right moment. As I read, I highlighted and filled the margins with comments. Then I pulled out my notebook and started taking notes.
It was all excellent—practical ideas on how I could have better handled the challenging start I had just experienced.
At the same time, the notes from that recent experience, written on the previous page of my notebook, began to connect with the new ones.
Those combined insights gradually evolved into a script—a structured series of steps, each one serving as a prerequisite for the next.
Right in the middle of that reflection, the universe placed this article in my hands at exactly the right moment. As I read, I highlighted and filled the margins with comments. Then I pulled out my notebook and started taking notes.
It was all excellent—practical ideas on how I could have better handled the challenging start I had just experienced.
At the same time, the notes from that recent experience, written on the previous page of my notebook, began to connect with the new ones.
Those combined insights gradually evolved into a script—a structured series of steps, each one serving as a prerequisite for the next.
This is my “Before Takeoff” checklist of flight training—the essentials for those crucial first few flights.
Where should flight training go beyond those first few flights?
Building on those essentials for a strong start, I observed my PPL applicants making intentional progress toward their certification goals and interested in the following:
Building on those essentials for a strong start, I observed my PPL applicants making intentional progress toward their certification goals and interested in the following:
What learners ask the most:
- When do I solo?
- When can I go on my first solo xCountry flight?
- When is my checkride?
I completed my own Efficient PPL syllabus by addressing these questions with more than the Practical Test in mind. My goal is always to build solid aircraft control skills that ensure safe performance under pressure; leading to safe, uneventful, and enjoyable solo flights.
As a result of this mindset, applicants will consistently meet or exceed the test standards and safely exercise their earned privileges.
My syllabus compiles my experience, the listed Pre-Solo and Solo xCountry Maneuvers and Procedures on 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart C, the ACS, and my three favorite third-party published syllabi as guides.
As a result of this mindset, applicants will consistently meet or exceed the test standards and safely exercise their earned privileges.
My syllabus compiles my experience, the listed Pre-Solo and Solo xCountry Maneuvers and Procedures on 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart C, the ACS, and my three favorite third-party published syllabi as guides.
Those first few instrument training flights
Next, I followed the same process —starting from solid fundamentals— and developed my Instrument Flight Lab syllabus for both Instrument Rating and CFI-I applicants.
More on this one in the next article.
Both syllabi continue to evolve with each new experience. I use them as guides to help every learner get off to a solid start. The approach has proven effective, even with more challenging applicants, who often respond positively to this structured beginning.
Both syllabi continue to evolve with each new experience. I use them as guides to help every learner get off to a solid start. The approach has proven effective, even with more challenging applicants, who often respond positively to this structured beginning.