Follow Student Pilot’s Journey
to Checkride on Video Blog

October 30, 2008—What is it like to get your sport pilot certificate? “Earning My Wings” will do more than just tell you. It will show you via a video blog on the EAA website, as it follows a student pilot’s journey from beginning to checkride, plus everything in between. EAA multimedia journalist Brady Lane is sharing his learning-to-fly experiences while taking instruction from Jason Blair, executive director of the National Association of Flight Instructors. Blair, who is also a NAFI Master Instructor, is instructing Lane in a Remos G3, a light-sport aircraft offered by Remos Aircraft. The blog features videos from each of Lane’s lessons recorded by in-cockpit cameras. It starts with him telling about the idea for the video blog and follows with updates on how to research and chose an instructor and includes footage from his actual lessons. Video blogs range from less than a minute to about 12 minutes. The ongoing project also includes personal thoughts about his experiences, both good and bad, and an area for viewers to post comments and questions. “I’ve always wanted to learn to fly, but never knew how or where to begin,” Lane said. “By recording each flight and posting videos after every lesson, people can see exactly what’s involved in learning to fly. My hope is that it will encourage others to pursue their own dreams of flight.” His excitement is apparent throughout the videos, as he taxis for the first time, climbs and turns. In his second lesson, he practices steep turns. “Banking an airplane at 45 degrees is a pretty cool sensation,” he says. But he admits landing is still intimidating. “But I’m hoping that I as become more familiar with the controls I will become more comfortable.” Lane says his goal is to be as honest and transparent as he can, detailing both the good and bad of the experience. The blog details the time it takes to earn Sport Pilot, as well as the cost. In fact, since starting his lessons about two weeks ago, Lane has logged 2.1 hours and spent nearly $600.

Brady Lane, left, does a preflight check with his instructor Jason Blair. Lane is learning to fly and sharing his experience on a video blog. Brady Lane practices taxiing during his first flight lesson. Brady Lane practices steep turns during his second lesson.

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