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My name is Simon Kalas, a UK flight school owner. Each week myself and my guests aim to inspire, motivate and support student pilots to achieving their goals of becoming a Private or Commercial Pilot. We discuss, warts and all, what it takes to learn to fly and beyond, sharing our experiences from our team and guests.
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Whilst it may be human nature to compare our progress to others, it can be counterproductive. We talk about why others journeys to becoming a licensed pilot can be vastly from your own. The key take away, is to focus on your progress and improvement, but celebrate others wins. We also have some FREE items to help you: Get our FREE learn to fly guid…
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Learning the Acronyms & Mnemonics within aviation can be arduous, so we are creating a series to debunk the most common ones. We also have some FREE items to help you: Get our FREE learn to fly guide - 24 pages jam packed full of information you NEED to read before starting training. https://almat.co.uk/product/ulfg-aero/ Book a FREE consultation: …
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One of the things overlooked when first starting flight training, is flight equipment. We go over what the minimum level of equipment required for PPL and LAPL, plus some optional Items. We cover when to get your equipment, how much it costs and where to get it from. Some useful links here: FREE Question Bank - PPL Expert: https://almat.co.uk/produ…
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Happy New Year! We discuss your motivation as a student pilot, and how the New Year can provide a good time to reflect and re focus, to make better progress in the year ahead. We discuss the following: 1.Where to start if you haven't yet started flight training 2.When is the best time to start training? 3.If you have already started and are struggl…
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On this episode we talk to Steve Ford about abut his fascinating aviation career, spanning several decades. From being inspired by his father as a young boy, he shares how his career evolved from engineer, to pilot, test pilot and more recently a published author. Watch here:https://youtu.be/m4sUsCEI0dY Listen Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/20945…
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Phil Thomas, a former Almat student gives us some feedback on how he passed the ATPL exams on a part time basis, whilst in full time work. He shares some practical advice and tips to help you get through your ATPL's. Watch here: https: https://youtu.be/469ex_eODl8 FAST TRACK OFFER 2023 This years fast track price including over £500 of free items i…
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As a new feature of the podcast, "Instructor Take Over" episodes feature instructors on our team. This week we invite our Coventry chief flying instructor Claire onto the show, to talk about how you can improve your circuits, giving you safer and more consistent landings as a result. Watch here: https://youtu.be/f0IrArJOhO8 FAST TRACK OFFER 2023 Th…
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This week we discuss financing your PPL / LAPL and give you some pros and cons about using credit for training. Please note: this is not financial advice and you should do your own research before considering taking out any form of credit. FAST TRACK OFFER 2023 This years fast track price including over £500 of free items is ending soon. Whether yo…
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In this episode I talk to former PPL student at Almat Flying Academy Cain Goodhand. He is now licensed, recently completed his integrated training and is preparing for a career in commercial aviation. He tells us his experiences going into integrated with a PPL compared to those that don't. On The Student Pilot Podcast Simon and his guests talk abo…
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Today I talk to Jackson Smith, who as a young Black man battled adversity en route to gaining his own Pilot’s Licence and a degree in Aviation. He was determined to make it easier for other young black and minority ethnic people and women to access the same opportunities he fought to get. This led to the creation of Fantasy Wings in 2019, an organi…
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Good radio telephony is an important part of being a great pilot. Furthermore a UK pilot licence is not much use without a Flight Radio Telephony Operator Licence (FRTOL). Find out why as RT examiner, flight instructor and experienced commercial pilot Neil McKenzie talks to me about the standard of radio telephony required to pass the RT Exam, how …
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We sit down with our Head Of Training and Examiner, Steve Mason, to discuss the PPL Skills Test. The thought of your test approaching can be daunting, but Steve shares valuable insight on what to expect and why you shouldn't be worried. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but feel you haven't …
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This week - PPL Fast Track student Archie passed his Skills Test, and joins us to talk about his secrets to success. If you are an aspiring pilot or are approaching your own skills test - this podcast will give you a valuable insight on what to expect. An inspiring pilot for all - especially young aviators. Find out how he did it, so you can too! G…
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We talk about what scholarships are available currently to PPL students and how to find out more about them. We also catch up with 2022 Amat scholarship winner Leo Turrell. He tells us about how he won his placement and how you could too. This week - PPL Fast Track student Archie passed his Skills Test, and joins us to talk about his secrets to suc…
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Simon And Eman discuss how mental health issues may or may not affect your flight training or ability to hold a pilots licence. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but feel you haven't got all of the information you need, we have FREE Learn to Fly Guides for PPL / LAPL, Flight Instructors and …
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In this episode we discuss advancement in general aviation technology and the effects of introducing technology into your flights. Also the good and bad from mobile phones, to GPS, Parachute systems and more. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but feel you haven't got all of the information y…
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In this episode we discuss what happens if you let your PPL or LAPL lapse. This is a big problem for licence holders as we see a large proportion of pilots flying infrequently after they pass, leading to their ratings lapsing and some never returning to flight again. We also discuss 10 tips to help you stay current. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides…
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Finding funds to pay for your flight training can be difficult and lack of progress with your training, usually comes from not flying frequently enough. What if you could find ways to make funding your flight training a little easier? We share 10 ways in which you can either fund or subsidise your flight training costs, some of which you may not ha…
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Many of our students use X plane, FS2020 and the like at home and some have even gone to the lengths of building simulators or have professional companies build simulators for them. The question is, is it worth the time and money investment and do they get anything from it? Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have…
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For some the Qualifying Cross Country flight for a PPL or LAPL licence seems like a big deal, but in reality, by the time you are ready to complete it, its not that bad at all. Archie tell's us of his long wait for weather to play ball with him and tells us about his flight on the day and some of the things that didn't quite go to plan. Get Our FRE…
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We talk to Lee, who had a very turbulent journey to achieving his PPL back in 2022 after first attempting it in the eighties. He kindly shares his experience of getting a pilot licence so you don't go through what he did. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but feel you haven't got all of the …
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We interview one of our former students talking about his journey to becoming a licensed pilot, fulfilling his dream of taking his dad flying in a light aeroplane and running the London Marathon for the Royal Society For Blind Children. We also talk about 10 tips that could make taking your first passengers, an easier and more relaxing experience f…
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Our very own Head Of Training Steve Mason comes on the podcast to tell his inspirational story, of how he overcame the challenges of Cerebral Palsy, to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional pilot. Listen Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2094528/12272617 YouTube: https://youtu.be/BCcPIIjZUkU Steve takes us on a journey from a wheelchair bou…
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Most students are nervous when it comes to talking on the radio, especially to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Dave, one of Coventry's FISO unit joins us to tell you why you really should not be worried talking on the radio. Listen Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2094528/12225716 Watch On Youtube:https://youtu.be/FGkjRMpBVII If you are looking to learn…
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Airline pilot Neil tells us about his experience flying long haul and why he chose to give up the long haul lifestyle for short haul. This is a great perspective on the life of an airline pilot and how over time your career may change. Neil started on flying commuter aircraft, then onto freight, long haul and now short haul, along with many other a…
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Balancing university and flight training is a challenge in itself, but along with 4 hour train journey, now thats tough. Archie tells us how he travels 150 miles each week from Bournemouth to train with us at Coventry, whilst studying for university. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but fee…
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Many students and Private Pilots alike have dreamt at some point about owning their own aircraft. For some, the most accessible way is to part own an aircraft with a group or syndicate. Dave tells us how on completion of his PPL, why he decided to buy into his current aircraft. We explore the process of buying an "Equity Share" in an aircraft, alon…
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If you are a student pilot, you need to listen to this! We share the 5 BIG fails student pilots make, that either prevent them from finishing their training or slow down their progress, costing them more and more money. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or have started already but feel you haven't got all of the in…
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Sam Retford is a busy actor, featuring in many popular TV shows such as Coronation Street, Holly Oaks, and Ackley Bridge. Sam tells us how he successfully balanced his work and training commitments to achieve his licence and how you can too. He started on our Fast Track Scheme, which quickly became impractical due to his filming commitments. He dec…
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For some their budget or time availability may mean they need to fly irregularly. From personal experience and seeing other students struggle with the same dilemma. Is learning to fly at one lesson a month or less a good idea?? We talk about the reasons why I think it may not be the best for you. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking …
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Choosing your flight school and instructor can be daunting, but making sure you get the right one for you is really important to ensure you get the best results. We take you through the things you should consider before choosing a flight school and instructor in this episode. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or ha…
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Derek tells us about his exciting career starting as a helicopter engineer and the commercial career that follows, including bush flying and becoming a captain with Flybe. Derek is an avid aviator and flying instructor, his passion for aviation is clear to see in the interview. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides If you are looking to learn to fly or …
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We recently interviewed Aeromedical Examiner Rob Simpson about LAPL, Class 2 And Class 1 Medicals on the Aviator Show and wanted to share this with the Student Pilot Podcast listeners too. This episode will give you an insight into what is required to achieve your medical and the common problems you may encounter. Get Our FREE Learn to Fly Guides I…
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Billi tell her inspirational story of the problems she faced whilst training and how she over came them. From sickness, fear of flying, fear of heights and huge gaps in her training from prolonged work commitments, most people would have given up. She explains how she remained motivated to finish her training and achieve her licence. Find out how y…
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One of the biggest things that you need to consider before starting a course of training is, which licence best suits your needs. My advice is start with the end in mind. This episode goes in depth to describe the differences between the #PPL and LAPL (A). On The Student Pilot Podcast Simon and his guests talk about flight training towards LAPL, PP…
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Budgeting for your flight training is so important, as it could be the difference between finishing your training and not. What's more, I see so much headline pricing out there at minimum requirements, which quite frankly is B.S. Lets face it, the average private pilot does not finish in 45 hours, so lets talk about a realistic budget and factors t…
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