Introductory Flight

Aircraft orientation and preflight inspection. Brief discussion of the San Francisco Bay Area airspace. I will be teaching you the four fundamentals of flying: straight and level flight, turns, climbs and descents. We will discuss how to read the flight instruments.

The introductory flight will be based at the Palo Alto or San Carlos Airport, your choice. The total duration of the lesson will be 1 hour of ground instruction plus an hour in the airplane, a Cessna 172 or Cessna 172SP model.

The cost of this flight is $250.

Aircraft available for Training

Cessna 152 - Two-seater. This is the budget airplane.
Cessna 172 - Four-seater, in case you want more room.
Cessna 172SP - Four-seater. The SP models are the newer version of the C172.
Piper Arrow - This is the other budget plane. It's a low-winger, as opposed to the cessnas that are high-wingers.
Piper Archer - Similar to the Piper Arrow but with higher useful load.
Cessna 172 G1000 - This airplane has a more advanced platform. Recommended if you aready have an instrument rating

You can check the rates for these planes here: http://www.wvfc.org/aircraft.html

View of Palo Alto Airport

View of San Carlos Airport

Interested in learning how to fly?

Earning your Private Pilot's License takes three major steps:
Solo phase - During this stage you'll learn the basic maneuvers (straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, turns as well as ground reference maneuvers, slow flight, steep turns, power-off and power-on stalls). After learning those maneuvers you'll be ready to learn how to land the airplane. Once you master landings, you'll be ready for your first solo flight.
Cross Country Phase - During this stage you'll learn how to navigate and you'll be introduced to the navigation aids. You'll go on at least two cross country flights with me. After that you will be ready for your solo cross country flights.
Check ride Preparation Phase - In this phase you'll learn performance maneuvers like short and soft field takeoffs and landings. You'll also be perfecting your overall flying skills to get ready for the Private Pilot Check Ride.


For more information about learning how to fly you can contact me at lorena_sher@yahoo.com.

AOPA learning how to fly information:
http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/startfly/

West Valley Flying Club has locations in Palo Alto, San Carlos and Hayward Airports
http://www.wvfc.org/

Here is a list of the different kinds of airplanes West Valley offers:
http://www.wvfc.org/aircraft.html