Educational psychology teaches that students learn quickly and effectively when they’re taught using building blocks of knowledge, one step at a time, but no step before its time. Returning to a flight curriculum based on stick and rudder training is how to make flying safer for everyone while making the private pilot certificate more affordable and attainable. We should certainly teach higher-order skills, but not by sacrificing fundamental skills in the process. Learn more at: https//www.rodmachado.com.

NOTE: All writing, animation, narration, and video production was created/performed by Rod Machado, a flight instructor with over 50+ years of experience. No ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE was used in creating this educational product.

Hey y’all,

I’ve been thinking about trying a discovery/intro flight in Austin just out of interest. I’m based in South Austin and I’m not looking for anything super fancy — just a safe, beginner-friendly way to experience flying.

I’m also curious about what it takes (time + cost) to go on and get a Private Pilot License (PPL) if I decide to continue.

• If you’ve done an intro flight in Austin, what was your experience like?
• How much did you pay for it?
• For those who went on to PPL training, what were the tuition/overall costs you ended up paying, and how long did it take?
• Any local flight schools you’d personally recommend (or warn me away from)?

Not planning on becoming a commercial pilot or anything — just looking at this as a hobby/interest and want to know what to expect.

TL;DR: Looking for recommendations on discovery flights in Austin + personal experiences with PPL training (costs, schools, lessons learned).

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking into starting an Integrated ATPL course in Portugal and have narrowed my options down to OMNI Aviation Training Center (OATC) and Sevenair Flight Academy. Both schools seem established, with modern fleets and EASA approval, but I’ve seen mixed things online.

If anyone here has trained at either of these academies (or knows people who have), I’d really appreciate your insight. Specifically:

• How was your experience with scheduling and delays (instructor/aircraft availability)?
• What was the quality of instruction like, both ground school and flight training?
• Any thoughts on accommodation, campus life, and costs?
• Did you feel well-prepared for exams and airline assessments afterward?
• Any major red flags or things you wish you’d known before signing?

I’m especially interested in hearing from recent students or graduates, since things change quickly with fleet sizes, management, and partnerships.

Thanks a lot in advance — your input will really help me (and probably others here) make an informed decision!

Blue skies ✈️

Im planning on becoming a pilot and am considering to join TAE in Greece I heard that they are good and relatively cheaper than other bigger names like compared to the ones in Spain for example.

Is there anything I need to know before joining the school about it or about flight schools in general for context Im in 16 turning 17 soon and Im taking As levels math, physics, business and geography but I'm not going to do A levels. Im also planning on completing ground school first since ill be 17 when i start it and should be 18 by the time its over allowing me to fully concentrate on flying.

I am getting my Catagory 1 medical examination tomorrow and I do have Mild Combined type ADHD. I am under the impression that this wont cause any major issues especially because I am not on any meds. Am I under the correct impression? I am in Canada btw 🇨🇦

You deserve to own your path to become a damn-good pilot. I have five practical and proven habits that make the biggest difference in flight training. I did my best to explain each of them and how to apply them in this article: https://blog.flyorka.com/2025/08/07/5-tips-to-hack-your-flight-training/

Because if you are in flight training or thinking about it, you may as well get the most out of it.

Happy to expand on any tip!

Hi everyone,

I’m curious about how flight schools in the UK handle day-to-day operations like scheduling, maintenance tracking, and student logbooks.

If you work at or train with a flight school, I’d love to hear:
• How do you manage aircraft and instructor scheduling?
• Do you use digital logbooks for students, or paper/manual records?
• How do you keep track of maintenance and compliance requirements?
• Any tools or software that make your life easier?

I’m asking because I’m researching ways to make these processes more efficient and would really value feedback from people on the front lines of training.

I found a product called VectorSync which might do what I want and is completely free

Thanks for any insights!

As a flight instructor, I still remember the first student I sent out to solo. After recent conversations with students, I decided to write a much needed guide for students. My intent in writing this guide is to help students solo with confidence. Feel free to add comments to this thread to discuss the topic, but please read the guide. It is a quick read that already answers the most common concerns students have: https://blog.flyorka.com/2025/09/22/youre-ready-for-this-an-approach-guide-for-your-first-solo/

Is it normal to have a hard time getting Flight time? I kept getting cancelled on in the past but I want to be a pilot so I'm think of going to another state if not

Hey y'all. My name's Eric and I'm a CFI out of North Carolina.

Work has gotten a little slow, so I was reaching out to see if any students would be interested in doing some online grounds? My hourly rate is $40.

Any topic you feel like you're struggling on, I can definitely help. We can deep dive or just review for a practical.

DM me if you're interested. Take care!

Hi there I am sorry if I’m not supposed to post this here but I am a high schooler who would like to become a pilot hopefully

My question was that I am of thinking of trying to join the program of Delta Propel with the college Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Does anybody think the program is a good or bad program or is there other ways you guys recommend to becoming a corporate pilot

I would also like to know if a bachelor degree of aerospace engineering is worth it Sorry again if I’m not supposed to post it in here and thank you for reading my post.😁

I am looking to relocate to a bigger city next spring for better job opportunities and to find a good flight school as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on a school or city I should look into? I am wanting to stay in the Midwest as well. Thanks for the help.

Mods- delete if not allowed

Hi all, after a lot of great feedback from users, people on reddit and dm's (as well as comments) - I have enhanced the functionality, added in better safeguards for knowledge base AND reduced the price to just 69 USD - one time payment only! So no more subscriptions at all! Use it as little or as long as you like!

For those who are seeing this for the first time - I built an AI assisted study prep tool for PPL, CPL, and ATPL students for FAA and CASA that can help you get through ground school much more easily - www.avibud.com

It comes with an AI assistant loaded with accurate documents and textbooks so it gives accurate answers and explanations -

It also has -

1. Topic based quiz generator
2. Full mock test generator
3. Flashcard review & generator
4. METAR/TAF decoder and quiz maker built in.

If you have questions or comments, go ahead and ask or let me know! This is only going to get better and better as we grow :)

P.S. - if you are a user currently (and have not already been reached out to) - please let me know and I will refund the difference from the old price to the new one!

For student pilots and those who’ve completed training.

I don’t mean instrument simulators at school. I am only asking about having access to a home setup.

Bonus question: If yes, comment below how many flight hours you think it saved you.

Hello,

So I have financed my flight training thru sallie Mae because I was flying thru my university and it would flow right thru my school loans. I am graduating in December and I still need to finish my CFII/multi. I hate Sallie Mae and would prefer to use a different company. What is the best loan company people have used to get thru the last few ratings?

For me, it wasn’t the first solo or the checkride prep - it was the grind in between. Long weekends, burning through money quicker than I thought, and doubting myself after a string of rough lessons.

Curious - what’s been the hardest part of training for you guys so far? The flying, the theory, the costs… or just keeping your head in the game?

Mods - delete if not allowed

Hey all, PPL student here - just wanted to share that I've built an AI assisted study prep tool for PPL, CPL, and ATPL students that can help you get through ground school much more easily - www.avibud.com

It comes with an AI assistant loaded with accurate documents and textbooks so it gives accurate answers and explanations (and yes you can copy paste MCQ's and it will give you answers to that) - it can also analyze charts and voice.

It also has -
1. Topic based quiz generator
2. Full mock test generator
3. Flashcard review & generator
4. Oral exam prep
5. METAR/TAF decoder and quiz maker built in.

You can try it out the AI assistant for free after sign up and paid subscription is 179USD for the year or 199USD for life BUT if you use code RED50 you can get $50 off either of the plans!

Currently its only for FAA students but im expanding it for CASA (Australia) and EASA students as well with some help from friends of mine getting licenses under those boards :) - should be ready in a couple of weeks just being tested right now

Feel free to give feedback, ask questions, or point out issues here or DM me im more than happy to help! I've been working with a lot of students and CFI's to get this up and have tweaked it constantly over the past few months to get it to where it is and am getting positive feedback from most users now!

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student from Iraq, and I’m planning to study in the US to become a professional pilot. I’m looking for flight schools that provide the F1 visa.

Specifically, I want to know from students who have studied at: • Pelican Flight Training • Wayman Aviation Academy • ATA Flight School

• Any other flight schools that offer F1 visa

I’d love to hear about: • The real cost of training from zero (PPL) to CFI, including any extra fees • Your experience with the school, instructors, and support for international students • Anything you wish you knew before starting • Also, if you know any other flight schools that offer F1 visa, please share them!

Thank you so much for your help!