Getting into the air can be as easy as attending aviation school for your pilot certificate. At the same time, this is no easy task. Courses involve numerous hours poring over books, as well as practicing in test simulations and preparations for takeoff. When you are in the air, you need to know what could go wrong and what to do in such situations. Here’s a quick breakdown of what most aviation schools will teach you as you work on your piloting license.

Aerodynamics
The art of flight is based on our understanding of the motion of air in relation to the aircraft. This force can hinder or aid in the lift of a plane or helicopter and requires extensive study. You will become familiar with the variables that affect the motion of air, such as velocity, temperature and pressure, and how this can be used to your advantage or avoided while in flight. This one area of dynamics is what has defined the architecture and design of all aircraft, so it will prove to be the keystone of your education.

Radio Communication
Pilots and air traffic controllers communicate via two-way radios and relay important information regarding weather, takeoff and landings and weather alerts. Understanding the lingo, in addition to knowing the importance of communication, will help to build good safety procedures. Failure to comply with communication requirements when in the professional field tends to result in less than pleasant outcomes. Courses in flight school will help to teach you the basic language used in airports.

Navigation
While the methods of navigation in aviation will vary depending on the aircraft, the principles remain the same. The vehicles which travel through the air tend to go faster than those on ground, which leaves less time for calculating routes. You simply won’t have the time to lose track of where you are since you can’t stop to ask for directions or reorient yourself (unless you’re in a helicopter perhaps). Depending on whether the category and class of aircraft operates under visual flight rules (VFR) or instrument flight rules (IFR), the method in which you navigate will vary noticeably. Your training will emphasize either one or both of these methods, depending on your certification.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)
These rules are set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are used to oversee and manage all activities in the United States with regards to aviation. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) help to increase the safety of aviation activities, dictate the proper design and construction of aviation vehicles and facilities, and manage the orderly execution of protocols and procedures. Courses in flight school will teach you many of these rules, which will later be repeated when you begin to practice flight training.

Flight Planning
As much as we would like piloting to be as simple as taking off and going wherever the wind takes you, planning is critical to a successful flight. Prior to takeoff you need to account for available fuel to ensure reaching your destination is possible. You'll also need to plan what route to take so you don’t fly in any unauthorized locations or cause airspace hazards for larger aircraft. Weather conditions can also affect your flight plan, so you should account for weather that might be encountered so you’re not caught off-guard by storms or strong winds.