A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

An international student’s day generally begins around 9 am.  Students have the option of either purchasing their own form of transportation, or utilizing the transportation services provided by American Winds. 

After settling in and perhaps having a cup of coffee, students will then check the weather for the day.  If the weather permits, they will then file any flight plans, as necessary.  With the assistance of their instructor, the preflight process of the airplane begins. Students and instructors together check that the aircraft is in airworthy condition.  During the winter months, we must preheat the engine to aid in starting the engine, for better engine performance and less wear and tear to the engine.  During the preflight, students will walk around the aircraft and check that all of its components are in working condition: lights, ailerons, flaps, stall warning horn, all the instruments, antennas, elevator, etc.  Students will also check the fuel quantity and color to make sure it is the correct type and that the tanks are fuel and ready for takeoff.

Your flights will change depending on which stage you are in, and for what license you are training for.  In the private pilot program, students will practice takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern, private pilot maneuvers, and cross country flight planning.  Instrument training generally includes practice approaches, holding, intercepting, and tracking.  Commercial training includes more advanced commercial maneuvers.

After you fly, your instructor will lead in post-flight procedures.  This is where the student and his or her instructor will discuss the flight, what needs improvement, what was done well and what will happen on the next flight.

If the weather and schedule permit, students may take one or more flights per day.  Throughout the rest of day, group ground or private study time takes place.  All students can benefit from spending time at the airport, even if they are not in a  "one on one" ground school session.  Students are also encouraged to "backseat" other flights as well.  This additional training time with fellow students allows for a more cost effective method for learning. 
 

We generally take a break for the lunch hour around noon.  Students can bring their own food or choose from several different restaurants around the area.

After your flight(s), ground session and study time, international students generally leave the school sometime in the late afternoon.  There are several different entertainment options in the area.  Students can spend time during the summer near the  lake, where they can go boating, jet skiing, or just relax by the water.  Other facilities in the area include, libraries, different sect religious organizations, shopping centers, bowling alleys, dollar movie theaters, restaurants, and for those who are of age, sports bars.   

Although we value good study habits and flying as often as possible, the students, flight instructors and the Chief Flight Instructor and President all enjoy unwinding together on the evenings and weekends.   We have a real family atmosphere here at American Winds.

We look forward to getting to know you and building a lasting relationship.  See you soon!