Flying for Dummies

Flying is for everyone, even if you’re starting with a few fears or doubts. I took my first lesson at 48 with a heart that’s had a few “upgrades” (three stents, to be exact) and a fear of heights. My instructor, Mohsin Syed—the CEO of Hybrid Flying School in Lahore—was one of my biggest supporters, but I found that my other most valuable “instructor” was, believe it or not, YouTube.

Modern aviation has made remarkable advancements, where almost every single detail is logged, recorded, and shared. There are no secrets in today’s world of flying. The best pilots on earth regularly post free lectures and tutorials on social media, giving you insights you would’ve only dreamed of in the past. Want to understand the science behind an instrument landing? You can find it. Curious about how different weather impacts a landing? That’s online, too.

Between the guidance of a certified flying school and the endless knowledge available online, my dream of flying felt much closer. You can find detailed tutorials on any aircraft you’re interested in, with explanations of each instrument, possible challenges, weather considerations, and airport configurations. There are even videos breaking down some of the most intense scenarios a pilot could face—and how to handle them. Essentially, we live in an age where, if you want to fly, the support is there for you.

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CREDIT: Mohsin Syed, CEO of the Hybrid Flying School, in Lahore.

So if you’re serious about taking to the skies, you don’t need a fancy mentor or even a stack of expensive books. Just a passion for learning, a little online research, and maybe a good internet connection!

Learning to fly isn’t reserved for young thrill-seekers or people with nerves of steel. You don’t have to be a math genius, a top athlete, or as fearless as a fighter pilot. What you do need is a little curiosity, a dose of determination, and the willingness to take things one step at a time.

Flying Isn’t as Complex as You Think

You might be picturing a cockpit as a maze of blinking lights, switches, and gauges—like a space shuttle but with better windows. But most of those controls have straightforward purposes. Modern planes are designed to make flying easier, and each step you take in learning adds a piece to the puzzle, so by the end, everything fits together neatly. And let’s face it: if someone with a fear of heights can manage to take off, you’ve got this!

Real-Life Heroes: Non-Pilots Who Landed Planes

If you need a bit more convincing, here are stories of everyday people who, despite no training and against all odds, managed to take control and land a plane. Because when things get real, you don’t have to be Superman—you just have to be willing to listen, learn, and try.

The Michigan Mechanic Miracle:

In 2023, a mechanic named Darren ended up in an emergency situation when the pilot of a small plane passed out. With no formal training, Darren radioed for help and followed each instruction from air traffic control step-by-step until he successfully landed. He later joked, “It was like building a giant Lego set one piece at a time.” Sometimes, even the unexpected heroes step up and surprise us.

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Grandma Takes Charge:

Then there’s the story of a grandmother in Australia who was on a scenic flight with her husband when he fainted mid-flight. With no choice but to grab the controls, she called for help and calmly followed the instructions from ground control. She later said her only experience with flying was playing a flight simulator on her grandson’s video game. It turns out her virtual “training” paid off!

Doctor in the Sky:

A British doctor once found herself flying a small plane back to safety when the pilot became unresponsive. Although she had zero training, her calm response and the guidance from ATC got her safely on the ground. Her secret? “I just didn’t have time to panic!” Sometimes, the best thing you can bring to the cockpit is simply an open mind.

A Brief Look at the World of Aviation

Learning to fly is achievable, but there’s more to it than taking the controls. Aviation depends on three main elements:

The Aircraft: Your machine in the sky. Aircraft vary in size and design, but each is designed to get you up, keep you steady, and bring you back down safely.

The Pilot: That’s you, soon enough. As a pilot, you’ll navigate through routines and checklists that guide every action you take, making flying more structured and predictable.

Ground Support: Air traffic control is your safety net. These folks keep the skies organized and help guide you through your journey.

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If They Can Do It, So Can You

If a grandmother, a mechanic, a doctor—and someone like me with a few stents and a fear of heights—can all manage to fly, you can too. The road to flying is paved with small, achievable steps that anyone can learn. This book is here to guide you through each part of that journey, one simple step at a time. So buckle up, stay curious, and get ready to turn your doubts into confidence.

… Between the support of certified instructors and the wealth of knowledge online, learning to fly has never been more accessible. But as easy as aviation can feel, every pilot has their moments where things get, well, real.

My first emergency happened in a Cessna 182 RG (registration APBGD) at Islamabad’s new airport. I was already a bit nervous as we prepared to land, but then, right on cue, things took an unexpected turn—the landing gear wouldn’t open. My pulse raced, but my instructor remained calm as ever. He simply told me, “We’re going to make a ‘go-around’” (which, for those new to the term, means aborting the landing to climb back up and try again).

Executing a go-around feels intense enough under normal circumstances, but this time, we were doing it to manually lower the landing gear. After a moment, we tried again, but still, there was no indication that the gear had locked into place. My instructor decided to test it out by bringing us down on one wheel first—just enough to check if the gear was engaged—before we brought the other wheels down, gently letting them settle with us.

It was one of those moments that confirmed flying isn’t just about the technicalities; it’s about staying calm, trusting your training, and relying on your own sense of composure. And, yes, knowing that even if things get a little too “exciting,” modern aviation has made planes remarkably safe and forgiving.

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If you’re ready to take on the skies, I promise you: flying will keep you on your toes, but it’ll also show you what you’re capable of.

…Flying is for everyone. It has nothing to do with gender, and if you’re 15 or older, can understand English, and are able to follow instructions, you’re already halfway there. No matter who you are, if you’re willing to learn, the sky is open to you.

CREDIT: Mubasher Lucman, senior investigative journalist and talkshow host based, in Lahore.

You don’t need superhero qualities or rare skills; just the determination to start and the ability to listen and follow guidance. Flying is very much a learned skill, accessible to anyone who’s curious and ready to take the controls.

… Flying is for everyone, and it’s not just a few brave souls who take to the skies. Did you know that there are over 300,000 pilots around the world? That’s a huge number! Each of them started as someone who once thought, “Can I really do this?” If they can earn their wings, so can you.

Whether you dream of flying commercially, for fun, or as a career, remember: every one of those pilots began their journey just like you, full of questions and uncertainty. With dedication and the right guidance, you can join their ranks and take to the skies with confidence.

… Don’t wait for the “perfect” day to start your flying journey. Any day is good enough, but today happens to be the best day to take that first step. If you don’t have a flying school nearby, hit up YouTube—there’s a treasure trove of information waiting for you. No more excuses!

Remember, flying isn’t just a hobby; it can also lead to a professional qualification. The aviation world needs more pilots now than ever before. So why not make your dreams take flight?

Good luck on your journey, and remember: if I can do it, so can you!

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