Flight training facts for kids
Flight training is how people learn to fly an aircraft. It teaches you all the skills you need to become a pilot. This training helps you learn how to control an airplane or helicopter safely.
You can get flight training in a few ways. Some people go to a special flight school. These schools have a set plan for learning. Other people might take private lessons with a flight instructor. As long as you meet the rules for a pilot's license, both ways work.
Flight training usually has two main parts:
- Flight Lessons: These are done in a real aircraft or a special machine called a Flight Training Device. It feels like flying a real plane.
- Ground School: This is like a classroom. You learn about how planes work and the rules of flying. This helps you get ready for tests to become a pilot.
Even though there are many types of aircraft, many flying skills are the same. This is especially true for planes that are heavier than air.
Flight schools often let students rent aircraft by the hour. You only pay for the time the engine is running. You can also hire instructors for extra practice or training.
The oldest flight training school still open is the Royal Air Force's (RAF's) Central Flying School. It started in May 1912 in the United Kingdom. The oldest civil flight school is in Germany. It was founded as "Mertens Fliegerschule" and is now called "Fliegerschule Wasserkuppe".
Contents
Becoming a Pilot: Licenses You Need
To fly an aircraft, you need a special permit called a license. It's like a driver's license, but for planes!
Private Pilot License (PPL)
This is often the first license pilots get. With a PPL, you can fly for fun. You cannot get paid to fly with this license.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
After a PPL, many pilots work towards a CPL. This license lets you get paid to fly. For example, you could fly small planes for businesses.
Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)
The ATPL is the highest pilot license. With this, you can fly large passenger planes for airlines.
Other Licenses
Some countries have a LAPL. This license is for lighter aircraft. However, you can only use it in the country where you got it. It is not for international flights.
You also need different licenses for different types of aircraft. For example, you need one license for helicopters and another for airplanes.
Special Skills: Ratings You Can Get
After you have a license, you can get "ratings." These are like extra certifications that let you fly different aircraft or in different conditions.
Type and Class Ratings
A type rating lets you fly a specific type of aircraft. For example, a rating for a Boeing 747. A class rating covers a group of similar aircraft.
Instrument Rating
An instrument rating is very important. It lets a pilot fly even when they cannot see outside. This happens in bad weather or at night. Pilots use instruments inside the cockpit to guide the aircraft.
See also
In Spanish: Escuela de vuelo para niños
