Register

There Is Definitely an Art to the Intro Flight

Moms, dads, and grads often enter the world of aviation this time of year as the weather gets nicer.

A first flight can turn into pilot training.
A first flight can turn into pilot training. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Flight schools and CFIs should meticulously prepare for intro flights by gathering customer details (like weight and contact), conducting pre-flight inspections, and briefing customers on safety and procedures.
  • During the flight, CFIs must prioritize customer safety and comfort, clearly explaining control exchanges, managing potential issues like turbulence or airsickness, and engaging the customer with instrument explanations and supervised flying over landmarks.
  • After the flight, it's vital to encourage continued interest by providing information on pilot training pathways, confirming the intro flight counts towards certification, and promoting the acquisition of a pilot logbook.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Intro Flight Season approaches. From May to the end of June you can expect to see an increase in the number of moms, dads, and grads coming to flight schools for their first taste of aviation.

Here’s what to expect.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE