Student pilot and instructor during flight training

✈️ Best Practices for Flight Training: How to Succeed as a Pilot in 2025

Whether you’re just starting your flight training journey or working toward advanced ratings, adopting the right approach can save time, money, and stress. Below are ten proven flight training best practices to help you become a confident, safe, and proficient pilot.

1. Start With the Right Mindset

Great pilots aren’t born — they’re built through discipline and curiosity. Approach each lesson as a chance to improve your understanding, not just your skills. A growth mindset helps you stay motivated, even when progress feels slow.

Pro Tip: Keep a pilot training journal. Writing down your takeaways after each flight helps identify patterns, track growth, and reinforce learning.

2. Choose the Right Flight School and Instructor

Your flight instructor (CFI) plays a crucial role in your success. Choose someone who communicates clearly, emphasizes safety, and tailors their teaching to your style. When evaluating flight schools, consider:

  • Aircraft maintenance quality and availability
  • Student-to-instructor ratios
  • Structured training (Part 61 vs. Part 141)
  • Instructor experience and teaching style

Learn more about choosing the right flight school →

3. Master the Fundamentals on the Ground

Flying time is expensive — maximize what you can learn during ground school. Use online courses, apps, and simulators to strengthen your knowledge of:

  • Aerodynamics and aircraft systems
  • Weather and flight planning
  • Airspace, regulations, and navigation
  • Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)

Tools like Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course or ForeFlight can make ground study more engaging and efficient.

4. Fly Consistently

Consistency is key to skill retention. Schedule 2–3 flight lessons per week to maintain momentum. Long gaps between lessons often lead to relearning maneuvers — costing more time and money.

If weather or life delays your training, use a flight simulator or study ground topics to stay sharp.

5. Build Good Cockpit Habits Early

Professional habits make better pilots. Always:

  • Use checklists — every time
  • Keep radio calls concise and clear
  • Maintain situational awareness
  • Debrief after each flight with your CFI

Good habits formed early carry over into advanced ratings and professional aviation careers.

6. Embrace Scenario-Based Training

Scenario-Based Training (SBT) replicates real-world challenges — such as deteriorating weather, in-flight diversions, or unexpected ATC instructions. This builds your decision-making and prepares you for real flying conditions beyond checkride maneuvers.

7. Stay Physically and Mentally Fit

Use the IMSAFE checklist before each flight:

  • Illness
  • Medication
  • Stress
  • Alcohol
  • Fatigue
  • Emotion

Your physical and mental state directly affects flight safety. Stay hydrated, rested, and focused.

8. Learn From Every Flight — Even the Bad Ones

Every pilot makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them. Ask your instructor to break down what went wrong and how to avoid it next time. Adopt a mindset of continuous learning and reflection.

“A superior pilot uses their superior judgment to avoid situations that require their superior skill.” — Aviation proverb

9. Prepare for the Checkride Early

Start checkride preparation early in your training. Review the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), practice oral questions, and perform mock checkrides to identify weak spots before test day.

10. Keep Learning After Certification

Flight training doesn’t end at the checkride. Continue improving with:

  • Instrument Rating (IFR)
  • Tailwheel