Cessna 172 Flight Training Video Course For Student Pilots & Private Pilots

Flight Training Video Course

The flight training video starts out in disc 1 with all of the detailed flight planning involved for a flight from the Reid-Hillview airport in San Jose, CA to the Half Moon Bay Airport which is on the Pacific coast, just South of San Francisco. The preflight planning involves gathering information from aeronautical charts and the airport facility directory. Important airport information is collected from the terminal chart including: radio communication frequencies, field elevation and runway information. There is a review of the airspace along the route. This flight involves flying in class D, C and possibly class B airspace. Your flight instructor shows you how to identify different types of airspace on aeronautical charts and goes over the rules for each class of airspace with you. Next, using the Cessna 172 POH (pilots operating handbook) your flight instructor shows you how to calculate takeoff and landing distance and how to perform a weight and balance calculation. Now it's time to learn more about aviation weather. Your flight instructor puts his phone on speakerphone as he calls a flight service station for a standard weather briefing.

Now it's almost time to go flying but first, this flight involves flying in some complicated and congested airspace so your flight instructor provides you with a radio communication tutorial in which he provides you with techniques to ensure that you sound like a professional on the radio.

Next we head out to the airplane and take a look at the Cessna 172 which we will be flying. This starts out with sitting in the cockpit and going over all of the Cessna 172 cockpit instruments. The cockpit tutorial if followed by a demonstration of how to perform a preflight inspection and that concludes disc 1 of the course.

Disc 2 includes the entire flight from Reid-Hillview to Half Moon Bay. This includes the taxi, run-up, takeoff, cruise, descent and landing. The camera follows the flight instructors every move so that you see exactly how to fly a plane. You also get to hear all of the radio communication with Air Traffic Control. This provides you with dozens upon dozens of examples of how to sound professional on the radio.

For disc 3 we get back into the Cessna 172 and fly back to the Reid-Hillview airport. Once again you get to hear all of the radio communication including requesting flight following. The flight takes us directly over Stanford University and we fly directly over the San Jose airport (SJC) while looking down at airline jets below us. As you land back at RHV your flight instructor talks you through his process for an ultra smooth landing.

[ashtonpierre]

I was a CFI at Squadron 2 back in the mid 80’s when I was at SJSU! Thanks for the memories!

[OrhanBaser]

Brendan, thank you for filming this flight. I purchased and watched three dvds once I received them. As a student pilot, I have found it extremely helpful to me. I had to pause the dvd to take notes as there are many tips and good points through the whole flight. Today I watched them again to refresh the tips and especially communication with control towers or stations. Thanks again.

[OrhanBaser]

I have had a chance to really fly with Brendan in a closed pattern to practice takeoff, landing, and patterns. I am so glad I did it. Bryan gave me real valuable tips that I immediately applied into practice. His style as an instructor is very cool helping me gain more confidence. I am looking forward to future flights with Brendan.

[pawbiter]

I know this will be a helpful course. I already learned at least one new tip just from watching this: checking the turn coordinator when taxiing out. Thanks.

[FlywithB]

Thank you for the kind words Orhan. It was a pleasure flying with you today and I'm looking forward to flying with you again soon.

Brendan

[BroccoliMan]

thanks man you the only one that has solid videos on proper procedures in small air craft

[RonWeber]

ADHD is a HUGE problem!! Take to an AME before going through any medical. Also, Dr. Bruce Chien is an amazing resource and you can find him on almost all of the aviation blogs. Good Luck!!

[FlywithB]

Hi Douglas. Flight training is challenging. 40 hours are required to become a private pilot, however most students require 60+ hours before they are ready to pass the practical test. So, if you fly everyday it could me done in one month. Most students take 6 months-1 year. Most student pilots find landings, radio communication and navigation to be the most challenging parts of flight training.

[FlywithB]

Hey. That is great. I fell in love with planes at a young age as well and did my initial flight training at 16. I think physics is a great subject which you should study, but it's not a requirement to become a pilot. I'm a political science major.

-Brendan

[FlywithB]

Thank you Orhan. I'm glad that you found the course useful.

-Brendan

[FlywithB]

When a pilot receives instructions from ATC the pilot should repeat the instructions followed by the call sign. Example: Controller: Skyhawk 25D turn left heading 270. Pilot: Heading 270, Skyhawk 25D. Alternatively the pilot might say: Heading 270 for Skyhawk 25D. "For" is not necessary or harmful, in my opinion. Why do you feel that way Ms6726?

[StingFlight]

I fly over to KHAF a lot.  Amazing the percent of time it is fogged in--but catching a rare stellar day is worth it.

[SteveAubrey]

Hey Brendan, just wanted to give you a shout out to tell you how much I like your video set! Very well done!

[TheseCitySecrets]

Amazing mate, amazing. Getting this now!

[nialljamesbuckley]

looks like fun! i did a few "discovery flights" with my dad and we're both considering learning how to fly :-)

[pawbiter]

Nice job! I think it captures the fun and excitement of the flight. But I would eliminate the music because "in real life" there is no music, only the sound of the prop. The music distracts.

[GIJesse-xovl]

I started my flight training at Dillingham Airfield in hawaii. The same place they filmed jurassic park 3

[asystole]

Very nice video. I live in the Bay Area and am currently looking to start a flight school. After seeing your videos, I am interested in learning more from you.

I'm headed over to flywithb now to check out your website.

[FlywithB]

Thank You. The music is actually not a part of the course, it's just in this preview clip.

[SteveAubrey]

Great video! I've always wanted to fly, but never got around to it. Now I'm a middle aged guy and have started considering it again. This video gave me a quick overview of what learning to fly entails. Very interesting! The radio coms seem intimidating though, they talk so fast!