Blog 3: My Journey as a Student Pilot — From Ground School to First Logbook Entry

“The cockpit teaches you more than just how to fly — it teaches you discipline, patience, and confidence under pressure.”— Aalisha, Student Pilot, Princeton Flying School

Introduction: From Drone to Cockpit

Every journey in aviation starts somewhere. Mine began not in a plane, but with a drone remote control in my hands. Earning my FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate gave me a foundation in airspace, weather, and regulations — but nothing compares to sitting in a real airplane for the first time. This is my story of transitioning from ground school theory to recording my first official flight hour in a logbook — and all the lessons I picked up along the way.

Choosing the Right Training Environment

I chose to train at Princeton Flying School in New Jersey, a Part 61 certified training center. Part 61 programs are flexible, which works well for high school students or working adults. The instructors are FAA-certified (CFIs), and the aircraft fleet includes reliable Cessna 172s — ideal for beginners.

Ground School: The Real Learning Begins

Ground school isn’t glamorous — it’s studying books, watching videos, and running checklists over and over. But it’s critical. You learn everything from aerodynamics to regulations to weather theory and human factors.

Core Ground School Subjects:

• Basic aerodynamics: lift, drag, weight, and thrust

• Flight instruments and cockpit systems

• FAA regulations and pilot privileges

• Weather theory, METARs, and TAFs

• Airspace classes and chart navigation

• Radio communication with ATC

• Aircraft performance and weight & balance

Study Tools I Used:

• Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course – FAA-aligned, self-paced lessons

• Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B)

• Airman Certification Standards (ACS) – What the checkride is based on

• E6B flight computer and plotter for planning exercises

• Gleim and ASA prep books for quizzes

Getting My Medical and Student Pilot Certificate

Before you can solo, you need two documents:

1. FAA Medical Certificate

• I booked an appointment with an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner)

• Completed FAA MedXPress application online

• Received a 3rd Class Medical — sufficient for PPL

2. Student Pilot Certificate

• Applied through IACRA (FAA online portal)

• Verified by my CFI

• Received FAA approval in about a week

My First Flight Lesson: From Theory to Reality

Nothing prepares you for the first time you take the controls of a real airplane. My instructor walked me through the preflight checklist, then we taxied to the runway in a Cessna 172. As we lifted off the runway, I realized — this was real. This was flight.

Key Skills I Practiced:

• Basic aircraft control: pitch, roll, and yaw

• Straight and level flight

• Climbs, descents, and standard rate turns

• Using the yoke, rudder pedals, throttle, and trim

Even though I overcontrolled on my first turn, my instructor was calm and encouraging. We debriefed after landing, and I wrote everything down in a physical logbook.

Logging Flight Hours and Tracking Progress

Logging your flights is an important habit from day one. I use both a paper logbook and digital apps like ForeFlight and MyFlightBook to track:

• Total flight time

• Dual vs. solo time

• Day/night flights

• Cross-country, instrument, and landing practice

FAA PPL Requirements (Part 61):

• Minimum of 40 hours total

• 20 hours dual instruction

• 10 hours solo flight

• 3 hours cross-country flight

• 3 hours night flying

• 3 hours instrument flying

Source: FAA PPL Requirements

Tips from My CFI That Made a Difference

• Fly regularly (2–3 times/week) to build muscle memory

• Chair-fly at home — rehearse cockpit flows aloud

• Ask questions — no topic is “too basic”

• Review FAA handbooks between lessons

Simulator Time: A Secret Weapon

I also practiced at home using a flight simulator (X-Plane 12 with a yoke/throttle setup). This helped me visualize pattern work and radio calls, especially when preparing for my first solo and cross-country lessons.

Final Thoughts: Why It’s All Worth It

From drone pilot to student aviator, my training has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. Flying forces you to stay sharp, stay humble, and stay committed. No matter how tired I am after school, stepping into that cockpit reignites my energy.

If you're thinking about becoming a pilot, don’t wait. Your journey starts with curiosity — and the courage to take that first flight. Book a discovery flight. Enroll in ground school. Join a local flying club or Civil Air Patrol squadron. Start somewhere. Because flying doesn’t just change your view — it changes your life.

🛩️ Until next time,

Aalisha

Student Pilot | Drone Certified

Future PPL | Aviation Blogger