5 Top Pilot Experiences That You Shouldn’t Miss

by Sudarsan
Pilot-Experiences

Being a pilot means you have a demanding yet rewarding career. It takes many training sessions and studies to master flying an aircraft. However, when you finally get your license, flying becomes so much easier and enjoyable. There are numerous pilot experiences you shouldn’t miss if you are a licensed pilot. Let’s take a look at them. 

1.Gliding

Gliding is an exciting adventure sport that should be on every pilot’s bucket list. It involves using natural elements to keep an aircraft airborne. So basically, you will be using the same techniques birds use to fly. 

When the atmosphere is heated by the sun, columns of rising air known as thermals are produced. It’s these air currents that a glider pilot uses to fly an aircraft. Remember, all the flights are different as it depends on the day’s weather conditions and the pilot’s expertise.

2. Seaplanes

When training to become a pilot, landing and takeoffs are usually on tarmacked airports and runways. If you are a new pilot, then you can consider piloting a seaplane. Flying over the edge of the ocean and successfully landing on the beach is an amazing experience. Conditions such as boat traffic and wind speed determine how well you land on a sandy beach. Thus, seaplane flying is not only fun but also equips a pilot with multiple skills.

3. Mountain Flying

Flying over vast mountain ranges and enjoying the spectacular views below is a thrilling experience. The only issue is that it is more challenging, and accidents happen occasionally. Therefore, you need to take a mountain flying course before you try it out. Understand how things like strong winds and elevation can affect your flight. This way, you will enjoy the views while also keeping your passengers and yourself safe.

4. Aerobatic Flying

Aerobatics is where pilots perform maneuvers in the air. It’s almost similar to the cool maneuvers done by jet fighter pilots. If you are a licensed pilot, you can quickly learn to do spine-tingling maneuvers such as upside-down flying, loops, and rolls. While you get to enjoy the thrills of the maneuvers, some of these tricks put aircraft in unnatural positions, leading to accidents. Proper pilot training and maintenance of the aircraft are some measures that will keep you safe.

5. Tailwheel Aircraft

Many pilots consider tailwheel aircrafts difficult to operate. Nowadays, tricycle landing gear is the norm. In the past, aircrafts had two wheels at the front and a smaller one supporting the tail. Tailwheels are made for rugged terrains.

So, if you’d like to try flying in the backcountry, a tailwheel is the perfect aircraft for that. The plane is usually in a nose-up position to prevent a propeller strike when landing on uneven terrain. Flying a tailwheel is a great way to improve your rudder and stick skills. Remember, a tailwheel shares a lot with the tri-gear planes, so learning how to fly will only take a couple of hours. All these experiences are great and can make your off days interesting. However, keep safe when engaging in these activities by taking proper training and flying with more experienced instructors. You can check out Air Richelieu College for more advanced aircraft piloting techniques (ATPL Integrated).

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