How to be a pilot ebook project
Last week I decided that a free ebook on how to be a pilot was something I wanted to tackle. I realized that we often lament on the many barriers to becoming a pilot, but we ignore one of the most fundamental challenges – just figuring out how to get started.
The ebook, which I will distribute free via the blog, will attempt to answer that fundamental question of how to be a pilot in a simple and concise way. I will leave out how to become a professional pilot and just focus on the basics – private and sport pilot certificates.
Aren’t there already resources on the internet on the topic of learning to fly? Yes, but most are dated and not very user-friendly, plus I believe there’s room for a fresh perspective on the subject.
Since most of you that are reading this blog are already pilots, you can pass it along to anyone you know that may have an interest in learning to fly. The small act of giving a free ebook to someone might be all it takes to get them over the hump.
Here’s where you come in. If you have any ideas or thoughts that would help someone understand how to be a pilot, send me an email at this link – EMAIL ME.
Currently I have mind-mapped (image above) the book to flesh out the scope and I am working on the template and, of course, the content. I also secured donated artwork from an excellent photographer who’s also an airplane nut – thanks Dave Miller!
I’m really excited about the project and I can’t wait to see it completed. When? We’ll see…
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So awesome to see you’ve started with a mind-map! My new boss has got me turned on to those, and the first time I saw one as he was describing them to me, I thought it seemed like a silly, modern woo-woo management waste of time. But as I started playing around with the tool he gave me, I quickly changed my mind. They are a great way to not only organize my own thoughts, but also to convey how I’m thinking about a complex concept to others.
I noticed a couple of things you might want to think about discussing. First, in How/Training, you talk about choosing a facility and instructor, but in these days of overcautious liability, another issue might be FINDING an instructor, and worse yet, finding a AIRCRAFT to do training in. We get nibbles on club membership from non-pilots who want to learn to fly and literally couldn’t locate any other options here in town. (Usually we steer them towards other resources we know of since an IFR-equipped Archer is perhaps not the best plane to learn in.)
Second, under “now what”, it seems like you stop at “You are licensed.” The obvious question to me is “What next?” Many people would be thrilled just to have accomplished getting a pilot’s license, but many others will be looking at other ratings, what capabilities they gain, potential careers, and so on.
My wife is professional book developer, working for a tech publishing firm on the east coast. I see her patiently work through organizational problems, bad writing, unclear explanations, and many other authorship issues with her authors over the course of many months before a book is ready to go to press. So this is a big job, and I think it’s great you are taking it on as an aviation advocate!
Charley,
Awesome input! Thanks so much! I will definitely use your advice.
Brent