There’s usually a point in training when a student has learned what they need to finish, and turns the page to get ready for the checkride. Typically I’m pretty confident in their ability to pass the practical test by this point, and that’s no longer my worry. After all, I’ve been meeting with them once or twice a week for months; there’s a routine, briefing, and steady progress. We know their strengths and areas that need more polish. They’ll be fine for the test.
Around this point students begin to think – what now? What’s after the exam? Will I fly my family for a weekend getaway, or will I just do short solo flights? Will I buy a plane, rent, or join a club? Instructors, however, begin to ask – how will you stay proficient? How will you keep learning, stay sharp, and refine the skills you’ve learned?
For many, renting is an easy way to keep skills fresh, especially if it’s at the same place you learned to fly. You’re already “in the system,” the airplane is familiar, and the local area is well-traveled. An easy add-on is being checked out in the other airplanes the FBO might have, like the new 172 or even that older 150 with steam gauges. Adding a new endorsement is another approach – access to new airspace, complex equipment, or a tailwheel airplane not only adds a new privilege, it also strengthens your core skills.
Beyond renting, many pilots start to look for community. Clubs offer a wealth of opportunities here, with lower costs to fly, and often a strong family of pilots. EAA chapters are great examples of proficiency, family, and learning in aviation. Other clubs can open doors: the Commemorative Air Force can be a way to get experience with veterans and military aircraft. The 99’s, Women in Aviation, or specific type clubs like the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association or the American Bonanza Society and many other organizations can be ways to thread aviation into your life.
If flying for a career is your goal, taking every opportunity to diversify and build your skills will make you a stronger candidate. Clubs and Associations provide great opportunity to see unique airplanes, and often offer a “back door” to unique experiences or the latest technologies.
How will you take the next step After the Checkride? If you’re not sure, talk with your instructor about what clubs might be active at your field, or what flying they enjoy on their own time. Join an EAA Pancake Breakfast or weekend fly-in, talk with pilots, and ask about activities. I think you’ll find a welcoming family of lifetime pilots.
The checkride is the end of training, but the beginning of how you fly.