Learn to fly via distance learning

I know nothing about being a pilot but thought I would share this link for those who aspire to fly.

FAA Grants ProFlight Distance Learning Approval

 

Microsoft Flight Simulator is your main tool for assessment.

 

You get frequent flyer miles on the lessons you mail in.

 

Once you become a pilot, you can announce from the cockpit that you learned how to fly online. Of course, you'll mention this immediately after take-off (and maybe after tipping the wings a bit).

 

Its funny I learned to drive using this same method in high school. They wouldn't let me near the car.

 

That's what I like about this board: just plane folks using plane language.

 

It's already here: Amazon.com : Operation Game : Board Games : Toys & Games

Don't forget to take out the wrenched ankle.

 

The dream is now:

Oceania University of Medicine

 

My husband is a pilot/FAA employee and just about fell off of his seat when I told him this.

We're actually looking at a huge pilot shortage in the near future, so I suppose it makes sense... but I'm uncomfortable with it.

I'm all for distance learning, but I have to admit, learning to fly (something that puts people's lives at stake) is scary enough... I guess this makes me a little nervous. I think I'll need a little convincing before I'm comfortable with this (as if it's up to me!).

 

Very true. Traditional civilian flight training all the way up to military fighter pilot training have always (in modern times) utilized flight simulators as a part of their instruction. I have personally "flown" different aircraft in said facilities (for fun, thanks to my husband's jobs - I am not a pilot). I haven't read the article and so my two cents are only worth that, two cents... but I'm thinking there's going to be a significant difference between simulator training on personal computers and training in specialized facilities. The simulators I have seen actually resemble real-life cockpits with all of the controls and gadgets (for lack of a better term) in real planes/jets.

Either way, I'm confident that the FAA has thoroughly assessed this training program and while it makes me a bit nervous, I'm sure there's more to it than there may seem. I've seen the hoops my husband has had to jump through just to get FAA approval for anything at work and so I know the agency doesn't go around frivolously putting their stamp of approval on things for no good reason.

Very interesting!!

 

Although I know nothing about "Proflight", I wholeheartedly endorse Microsoft Flight Simulator! It is an excellent and cheap resource for learning instrument flying. I started using it when it first came out in the early 1980's. It helped me a lot with my instrument scan and is a great tool!

With that said, one still needs "stick and rudder" skills. Flight simulators are excellent training tools that allow the instructor to input emergencies and complicated procedures that would otherwise be too dangerous to simulate in a real aircraft. In addition, they operate at the fraction of the cost of an airplane. It is unlikely simulator time will ever completely substitute the experience needed to pilot an aircraft but the unmanned aircraft industry is certainly booming.

 

I'm still waiting for an online police academy.

 

Never mind. There are already blended academies in Illinois.
Southwestern Illinois Police Academy
Southwestern Illinois Police Academy

 

I know nothing about going about obtaining an FAA license, but it sounds like a small portion of this program is online. First, the distance learning option is only open to currency students, not initial students....whatever that means. Are these continuing education students or students looking to gain experience with a different type of plane? After you complete the distance learning portion, you have to go to their facility for more training.
ProFlight LLC. » FAQ ProFlight LLC

 

Learning to fly by distance learning is not new. Back in 1906 Benjamin Foulois of the Army Signal Corps learned to fly at Fort Sam Houston Texas by corresponding with the Wright brothers in Dayton Ohio.

 

Of course, more than half of those "distance learners" broke their neck!

"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect."

— Captain A. G. Lamplugh