3-5 bullet points for a 30 min. familiarization flight

[Tom Martin]

My first flight rules, in order of importance

1. Best possible weather, morning or evening, low wind, good vis (horizon)

2. Brief discussion, before getting in the plane, about what the stick does, how the controls move

3. Normal passenger briefing

4. Gentle slow application of power on take off

5. Ask them where they want to go, see their house etc.

6. Let them take the control (never take your hands completely off the stick) and ask them to keep the plane level. Show them the horizon and ask them if the wings are level, if not how to correct.

7. At the end of the flight if the passenger has good colour and is still having fun you might show them a roll or a steep turn. If they show any hestiation then skip it for another day. ONE roll only and then land.

8. a video camera, aimed at the passenger, is a great thing to show them after the flight.

Remember, they are only going to come back if they feel safe, have fun and can get a glimpse of the challenge.

[ka6dan]

What did you do on your first flight lesson? Hold the stick(yoke). See how to hold speed, turn left, with some rudder. Watch the ball. Turn right, watch the ball. Instructor does a skid, not a good feeling. Let the kid Take some time to quitly drive around. Enjoy! It's your plane. Make your best landing

[Taildrgr]

For an orientation flight I would start with basic flight controls, ie, pull back the plane goes up, push forward it goes down.

Some gentle banks to explain turns and lift vectors. Not much about the rudder except how to keep the ball centered.

After that, I would let him fly the rest of the time. No instruments, just looking outside and enjoying the view.

Point somewhere and say "fly me to that field over there". Help him maintain altitude by nudging the stick once in a while. Not too strict for a first timer.

Guide him to his house if you want, but from the air, he will likely not know where it is.

If he does good, let him fly all the way into the pattern and then take over to land.

30 minutes will be gone before you know it.

[apkp777]

1. Preflight brief
2. Instruments, controls and devices
3. Four Fundamentals of flight

That's it.

[crabandy]

As others have already said:

- usually morning or evening for cooler temps and smoother rides

- an interactive pre-flight, follow your normal checklist and talk about what you are doing. You can get to know each other's personalities during this time and build a game plan for the flight such as flying over his house or looking for deer or other "missions."

- passenger briefing with emphasis on checklist, safety and what all the do-Dads do in the cockpit. Also pack a sick-sack and how to use it and to speak up at the first sign of discomfort, a little humor helps.

- let them taxi as much as they want or can

- I stay away from giving them the controls on takeoff or landing, I want them to feel the control pressures while flying first. While doing a first flight and takeoff in a C150 my female "student" went full right with the ailerons, her adrenaline must have been pumping because I couldn't overpower her through the yoke and had to pull her hands off of the yoke. Once flying she realized it only took light pressure.....

- hand over the controls while on "the mission" and help him as needed. Some like to fly a lot and some just a little.

- a quick debrief to answer questions or find out his favorite part of the flight

- Enjoy!

[David Paule]

Agree with post #13 by Taildrgr, except that odds are that you'll have to take the plane back not far into the pattern or approach. I've taken lots of people up for a first ride in a small plane and only one managed to take it as far as flying all the downwind leg.

If they have trouble holding altitude (I give them the controls only when the plane is well-trimmed out) while straight and level, I'll explain the trim control and let them adjust it. If they let the nose drop in a turn, I'll explain the lift vector and suggest holding some back pressure.

Generally, people don't have much trouble but tire of it fairly soon; their level of concentration is typically high.

Dave

[awmuhs]

I have taken many kids and adults for their first GA flight. Having them participate in the take off is always pretty exciting for them. When they tell their friends about the flight the fact that they got to take off was always one of the first things they bring up.

One thing I didn't see mentioned was managing the pitch trim. When ever I give them the controls I make sure that the plane is trimmed. As we continue to fly I occasionally jump in to check the trim. As we all know an out of trim plane can be difficult to hold level and first time pilots don't what it is suppose to feel like

[stevemcgirr]

I logged in late today, because I am in the midst of travelling to take my 18 year old son, Doug, to college at Cal Poly SLO. Doug got his first airplane ride from an Embry Riddle grad in a Cessna at age 13 (then went on to solo at 16 on his birthday and get his PPL at 17). His answer was, "it's simple; let him fly".

On his first flight, to the extent safely possible (and he was 13 at the time), he felt he was in control of the airplane. His wonderful host pilot Taylor, let him choose the course, and the manuevers, and permitted him to hold the yoke (Doug at the time couldn't reach the rudder pedals) during takeoff and landing. When he landed, he truly felt he "could fly". He's never changed his mind since.

[esco]

Doug:

My two cents: KISS.

1. Focus on flying by looking outside,
Operate the radio, GPS, instruments and other distractors yourself, and let your first timer work the stick and rudder (under your guidance.)

2. Teach gentle control inputs.

Originally Posted by Saville

When I take first timers up I generally...Gently show them what each control does...

If your first timer is yanking, banking, and stomping you will both be uncomfortable.
During the preflight, show how light and balanced control surfaces are, and how little effort is required to operate them.
Before starting the engine, reinforce the lesson:
"Take the stick, now slowly and smoothly move it right: see how easy it is to move the ailerons (rudder, elevator) ..."

3. Keep it short, leave 'em wanting more.
Plan for, and capitalize on, positive experiences:
"You're doing a great job keeping us headed for (landmark.)
I'll take the controls back for a moment, then I'll let you take us back to the airport before I land."

Good luck!

[psyborgg]

I generally have them takeoff if there is no crosswind, let them climb out and level off. Then after they do the usual drift in altitude and bank, I show them the Earth horizon/cowl combination attitude indicator. I have them try a descent, climb and shallow banks. It is surprising how well most kids do! One thing I ask them to let me do is pull the power so they see the plane doesn't fall out of the sky.
I had one guy, about 18, that I met at GPM with his dad that flew the plane so well his dad didn't know it was him flying the plane. He wanted to be an airline pilot and I am sure he did verrrry good.
I know this sounds iffy but I have flown a number of kids and haven't had any problems! Just brief them and show confidence in them. I have had a couple of kids that I believe changed their attitude toward themselves because of their success.