Private Pilot Lesson 1

Lesson 1 of my private pilot training. This is what to expect if you ever decide to take flying lessons. This was shot at Downtown Island Home airport (KDKX) in Knoxville Tennessee.

[@TimKGrimes]

What a fine flight instructor.

[@ExtremeRecluse]

I agree

[@VroodenTheGreat]

I have an instructor JUST like this. Old dude KNOWS. Thats why I am still taking lessons, I want to know EVERYTHING he knows. He just told me today that he has bone cancer and I need to get my license in the next month. :(

[@red2977]

Flight experience. 20,000 hours rofl

[@tommythomasson476]

Why is that so funny?

[@officergregorystevens5765]

Seems like a nice guy. That's what I want other than someone knowledgeable in an instructor.. hoping to start lessons at KOXC sometime soon.

[@diegovd7215]

"trim is the poor's man autopilot" I loved that ;)

[@greensphinx]

gleen sabuero no don’t do that

[@Planeboy27]

@Gappie Al Kebabi clearly green hasn't flown IFR XD

[@rapinncapin123]

😂

[@survivalSC]

This guy is a great instructor. I wish I could have him as an instructor. He is top of the game

[@JuanVazquez-zx1wi]

The most incredible instructor i have ever heard. I could do a heart replacement with his instructions.

[@progamersplay4716]

Great

[@laprincesadelavaja8294]

Seriously i took notes lol

[@ChiDraconis]

@OBServe Garage Sí, correcto Sr. Vázquez; Los ofrecemos en Jalisco NG con descuentos para aquellos a los que aún se les ha retirado el alambre de la navaja desde la parte superior de la pared.

[@George0021]

Yes amazing!

[@fontking1a]

Best flight instructor of all time. Naval aviators rock!!!

[@MichaelThomas-nk9yv]

fontking1a got ubuyttgyygjbvv

[@gergemall]

Great instructor. Through but pleasant in his style. There is no substitution for experienced aviators .

[@frankachter865]

He was Air Force, I think

[@coaltrain]

@@frankachter865 He flew F-4's definitely not USAF.

[@ctsteve1967]

HE REALLY TALKED TO MUCH FOR THE FIRST LESSON. THE STUDENT ONLY GOT ABOUT 10 PERCENT

[@Fitnessxtrmist]

I want this guy as my flight instructor.

[@robertswyers4420]

clear and concise with heart,great FI.

[@hassanlawal5579]

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

Me to. I am shopping flight schools.

[@jinnyjung8741]

@@kimberlywentworth9160 So Which flight school did you choose?

[@MoeMoe-oi1zq]

@@jinnyjung8741 a one with an instructor

[@stevenzucchi]

This is how an instructor should always be. Cool calm and still passionate about flying. You gotta love it!

[@warrenwalters4245]

to busy

[@warrenwalters4245]

Not need to be applying the power let the student

[@fun2drive107]

As a flight instructor this gentlemen is top notch. I pride myself on instructing when I did and pre flight and post flight briefs are super important as is time sitting in the airplane on the ground. This is fact if you tell a student something and ask if they understand and you are in the air they all say yes but in reality maybe 20% of the time they understand. That is why pre and post flying discussion is what is as important as what you do in the air...

[@stevenpeyton7476]

Yes.

[@lukeriley9559]

My instructor told me i won't learn anything in the air. He said the purpose of going up is to put into place what you learned on the ground, or what you taught yourself from your previous flight

[@jd2161]

Where did you teach? I just got my part 107 and now I'm thinking of getting a ppl

[@acevlogs7]

i knew i wanted my pilots license...but now i REALLY want my pilot license.

[@DerwinDaDestroyer]

Me too

[@spicyshizz2850]

Amia it’s been a year, have u taken it?

[@acevlogs7]

Spicy Shizz thanks for asking but unfortunately not yet

[@sity909]

How about now?

[@sity909]

So that was a lie.

[@FEETLE]

Even though this video is 2 years ago this instructor has gospel ways of explaining things ...he does have a teaching gift

[@jd2161]

Even though this comment was 4 yrs ago, it's still true.

[@elvisslo]

Great flight instructor! I feel like I was taking a flight lesson too!

[@atakancalik8306]

Ken Lua exactly...

[@billt8504]

The flight instructor knows so much stuff. When he said "pull your left foot back" I was like "what?!? you need both feet on the rudder peddles. wtf?" and then he says "you don't need any left rudder on take-off. That'll emphasize it." I was like holy smokes this guy's a genius.

[@waterbird91]

John Burt is a fine instructor. I can assume he puts out well trained students. He's not intimidating, and I think the students want to do everything in their power to please him. A good sign.

[@Jolie_sailor]

This instructor makes students out of anyone listening. What a gift!!!

[@justanamateur1682]

“Aight Roger” Flight Instructor: You can stop talking like that now.

[@famatu]

Take your advertisement somewhere else please thank you

[@fastheaded8012]

@@famatu facts

[@parkeranderson5074]

Alright roger that.

[@robertnolan3139]

Raluca-Maria Motas @Raluca-Maria Motas @leftertiberiuvlad yeah because that's what the world needs, newly licensed pilots without the hard work!

[@kyroking9934]

@@famatu mans just trying to pay the bills like everyone else. If you don’t respect the grind, then you can move along

[@BoomerBlogging]

Man O Man this teacher is Aviation Gold! His attention to detail mixed with his experience filled "tips" make his straight talk a welcomed dialogue of pure instruction for the student or anyone listening. His voice tone is delivered in a confident manner that is both assertive yet calming. Five minutes with this instructor is worth an hour with most others. This gentleman understands that he is really making a difference in aviation today and for the future.

[@BoomerBlogging]

What an amazing "old school" teacher with a wealth of knowledge. Wish I lived in that area. It is aviators like this teacher that make flying fun and safer!

[@tasercs]

I actually feel privileged to have just shared a little over 30 mins of John's 20,000 hours. Hearing it from someone with that much experience makes it worth about 3 hours. So interesting about the use of the rudder. Tuition is high quality when it tells you WHAT to do then follows up with WHY you are doing it... i.e. "landing lights - to minimise bird strikes" . I would say that was the most useful and concise flight video I have seen on KZbin so far, but not for long cause I'm about to watch the next lesson!

[@hassanlawal5579]

Without a shadow of doubt.....the BEST Instuctor in my opinion. They cannot come any better than this Naval veteran.

[@yehanmudalige6596]

Probably flew F4s in Vietnam cant be more badass than that

[@Gregorydshanks]

John is the best instructor ever, and a great guy. He teaches to be a safe and skilled pilot and during process, you learn how to pass the checkride. He's a former Navy carrier pilot and airline pilot.

[@kingjamez80]

I know this is an old video, but not much changes in learning to fly. This guy is FANTASTIC. Wish I could take lessons from him.

[@chasingwaterfalls648]

Thank you for posting! As a midlife crisis i’ve been Strongly considering A VFR license , this video is the best real life flight instruction I’ve seen so far , your instructor is awesome

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

Yes, I am having a midlife crisis and I am going for my Private pilot. Would love to have this CFI.

[@TimObert]

This instructor is a legend. Dude has seen everything, nothing worries him and he keeps the new pilot calm. I got to keep my hand on the throttle more lol

[@richchatwin2989]

Whoever downvoted this video is crazy. This is amazing to witness. Thanks for posting Tommy!!

[@56dodgepickupman]

Man. Best instructor I’ve ever heard. After almost crashing with 10 hrs in my training I haven’t been back up since. 13 years later. This guy makes me have faith there are some good ones left. Mine was ok but he didn’t care about weather and after 45 min in the air the gusts kicked up to 30-35 knots. We brought it back in 15 min later. Tail cross wind landing then 15 ft above runway got hit with wind shear and it yawed the 172 almost hitting wingtip. Some rudder and stick force brought it back over quick and was a hard landing. This guy is on point about rudder usage. If I hadn’t have known about it we probably would have been balled up. My instructor was very calm and careless but not really what you need early in instruction but I guess the school of hard knocks has lessons for sure. Once we exited he said “wish I had checked the weather”. You got a good instructor man. Keep it up. He can teach you tons.

[@berndheiden7630]

I‘m 72, have been around airplanes all my life and just never did get around to making the PPL (most likely helicopter). With this instructor I would go for it anytime! Calm, precise, obviously a wealth of background knowledge and a clearcut aim for what good practice reflexes the student should develop! Top notch!!! Thanks for the experience!

[@thejoshuatree6924]

Klinkt Nederlands?!

[@berndheiden7630]

@@thejoshuatree6924 Actually German. And I ended up being a dentist and oral surgeon. Also very satisfying but with no time for flying any more (except in my yearly vacations).

[@ahmedobeidat2377]

16:00 there it is pull back and there's your first takeoff

[@evanshlom1]

flying and engineering, did you start flying yet

[@cdevkat1]

this guy reminds me of my instructor for when I was getting my Class A CDL. Very soft spoken but authoritative and seasoned so he knew all of the mistakes people would make before they make them. I hope that when I get to getting my PPL I can find an instructor just like him

[@TakeDeadAim]

Very good instructor. Cool as a cucumber and gave actual practical knowledge without unnecessary verbage. Just good instruction all around.

[@Depriest42]

Love the instructors demeanor, explaining why you do it instead of just what to do.,

[@kevingover4305]

Wow. I've never been in a small plane... but if I learned to fly, I would want to be with this guy. What a great instructor!

[@tommythomasson476]

Thanks! Yeah John's a great instructor with awesome experience. Consider moving to Knoxville and studying with him!

[@dukeman7595]

F-4 Fighter Pilot as your flight instructor, how cool is that? Wow, the instructor is very knowledgeable, calm, clear, and friendly don't get much better than that.

[@robinm3031]

Best flight lesson I saw. This guy explains everything.

[@FightbackMediaGroup]

I am so glad he said that he was feeding him with a fire hose. I was getting lost and we were not even off the ground.

[@ohiopilot2738]

Yeah this guy is an excellent flight instructor. So calming and encouraging. That's exactly what I need.

[@gatorflight74]

This instructor is the elite of the elite. As a CFI, CFII, MEI I could listen to him all day long.

[@alexhklo]

Nice instructor. I didn't skip a second on your video.

[@FourLoopMedia]

“I have a knee board for you”… this is a dude who just loves aviation, so inspiring to see such great instructors.

[@johnny_pilot]

Awesome being 'in the back' for this flight! What a great and highly experienced and qualified instructor - a naval aviator and airline pilot plus 36 years as an FI! Thanks for this upload (3 years ago). Similarly, I have 8.5 hours in a Cessna 150/152 but from 2000... 18 years ago! I was just about to do my first solo pattern but my financial resources ran rather dry. I am using a 150 simulator daily and I'd love to get back up in the air for real. It's hands down the best experience of my life - and I'm an ex-Royal Navy nuclear submariner! Only the money issue is stopping me as I have kids and more practical priorities than satisfying my flying desire. But God, I miss riding that 'hand of God' take-off turbulence! :-)

[@markkerin5699]

Aviator, navigator and a great communicator. This instructor has it all.

[@gulfcoastmarc6388]

This may be the best first lesson I've seen so far, Great job in the nasty crosswind.

[@EJ-im3ck]

You have no idea how lucky you are to have him as a flight instructor. I’m learning more from these videos than I am actually flying the plane.

[@trickcyclists]

What a smashing bloke this instructor is. I'd definitely go out of my way to find this man. Great video, I look forward to following your progress Tommy... good luck.

[@tommythomasson476]

Thanks!

[@aviationdylan3353]

Chris England I watched this video getting ready for my first flight lesson and it’s literally with John and at downtown island airport this is crazy.

[@brianlongman9559]

This CFI reminds me of my PP instructor. In 2003 he told me that he had been teaching for 60 years. He was an absolutely awesome instructor and I have never been able to find anyone even close until this guy. I miss my instructor and even though I know he’s in his mid 90s now, I would still pick him.

[@JohnDavis-wb3tw]

Best Flight Instructor of all time, learned so much after years of flying.

[@SaltyDawg154]

If all IP’s were like this guy there would be a lot more pilots. He is calm, informative, and has a great awareness of his students capabilities.

[@timothyhorn5080]

Tommy Thomasson, Thank you for posting this video! You showed what a first flight lesson should be like for every person seeking their private pilot's or light sport pilot's license. Your instructor obviously has a wealth of knowledge and the ability to share that knowledge in a way that makes it extremely easy to learn from him. Thankfully, my instructor has the same qualities.

[@mrsaskriders]

Man I love that lesson. I learned so much. I am simply a Sim pilot but I did take seven and a half hours when I was 23 years old just before I lost my leg to cancer. My dad was a pilot and flew air ambulance and also flew in the Canadian Air force. This was a no-nonsense lesson with so many good tips and reasons to do things by the book. Thank you and good luck in your lessons. I am starting to learn how to fly instruments and currently I'm flying a TBM 930 after spending hours flying the Cessna 172.

[@aerozg]

Glad to hear another pilot confirm that simulators are "magic" and that they actually help you learn to fly. The only downside to simulators, at least according to my flight instructor is that students keep their heads down in the instrument panel instead of scanning the sky, so it takes some time to re educate them. Nice video, good job on your first flight.

[@gymbuilt10]

Just wanted to say a BIG THANKS again to Tommy Thomasson for posting this series! This is just such an incredible gift to be able to enjoy these videos along with my flight training. The things Tommy experiences and the teachings of John Burt are invaluable. Thanks again for sharing this journey with us. I am a visual learner and seeing you doing these things before I have to do them makes it that much easier for me. You really have NO idea what an incredible GIFT you are giving me/us and we really appreciate it!

[@72Bluemax]

I really enjoyed listening to that cfi. I love the old school guys embracing new technology. What a great guy!

[@tomruggenberg5812]

I wish I could fly with this instructure. This student will become a great pilot because of this guy. I learned more from this video than any hands on

[@110knotscfii]

I'm going for my CFI exam next week. I'll emulate this guy.

[@RamiKTV-vf3mt]

Mike Bennett how did it go? How long have you been flying?

[@jacyborreaux919]

Did you call the taxiway centerline the yellow brick road?

[@laprincesadelavaja8294]

I hope you passed lol

[@yehanmudalige6596]

I guess you passed

[@itruck96]

Ground control to Mike Bennett!!! You copy.....

[@pesto12601]

Lol.. I keep coming back to this video over and over on my Watch This videos.... great instructor I say everytime I watch it!!

[@rmp5s]

My God...that flight instructor has been in the air more than he's been on the ground!

[@theroarin420s8]

😂😂

[@fyiaustralia9686]

That flying instructor's got a skyload of experience and he's got a rapport with students...

[@Glofilter]

Great video. This November it will be 30 years since I had my first lesson, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I too had an "old school" instructor, and I thank God every day for it.

[@jonbarto9146]

I just got MS Flight Sim 2020 and it's amazing how much it looks and feels just like this video! They did an amazing job!

[@rapinncapin123]

Did you get it for PC?

[@sethdavis6225]

Top shelf flight instructor. Very professional and a good explanation of details.

[@bretts1]

Great flight instructor. I was also very lucky to have an old school flight instructor and she tap my hand with pencil to stop death grips on yoke. Told me to turn off TV hit the books. Written test 600 questions I got two questions wrong. The check ride was wild. He had me trying to do wild stuff. Told me to look left and when I did he covered gages. I stayed with it trying to do things never was taught. After taxi and getting out of plane, I was scared I failed. He laughed and told me no problem he was trying to make me nervous to see if I could still follow the normal procedures for landing. What this instructor said about little things is so true. Don’t learn bad habits and be consistent.

[@okcpilot946]

Like how the instructor explains everything . Very thorough.

[@paultaylor9939]

What a great instructor just the guy I would want when I am ready to fly well done keep it up thanks

[@briangreenlee896]

John is my instructor as well. You are doing great man keep plugging.

[@seesu7604]

HI PLS TELL WHICH FLIGHT SCHOOL IT IS ? IM INTRESTED AND WANT TO PURSUE PPL

[@viccabrales3091]

My God, just watched the whole thing and I feel like he was teaching me!! What an instructor! Now I need to practice what I learned on my sim.

[@avatar098]

"These kids come out, flying simulators 4-5 years, they can fly the airplane day 1" Welp, now I know what to do while I save money!

[@gregnash1570]

Even more so now with MSFS 2020

[@leemoore9933]

I've heard other instructor's say that I've also heard 737 pilots say 14-15 yr old kids that play MS can land those jets and follow direction better then people that don't play them. They can almost learn to fly on a PC.

[@brosmile9388]

@@gregnash1570 Are they talking about an XBox Simulator, PC or a simulator that you physically sit inside of that airline pilots train on that look like multi-million-dollar equipment?

[@SingleEngineAviator]

Lol " I know im feeding you with a fire hose with this stuff, we'll go over this a million times." It;s awesome that he doesn't expect his student to just memorize everything this lesson. Exceptional teacher!!!

[@mikestone9129]

Really nice instructor. Like the way he explains things to you,

[@ryanweber5907]

I had to quit going to my instructor because he WASN'T like this guy, now i'm looking for someone else, you got LUCKY!!! This guy is AWESOME!!!!

[@AbreedApart123]

I hope to find an instructor with such patience when I begin my flight training!

[@wadessirenvideos6750]

This instructor is very courteous, knowledgeable, and has a desire to teach and create a positive learning experience. He must find true happiness and fulfillment by teaching people to fly aircraft. Passion also helps to be a truly great instructor.

[@halfSpinDoctor]

I'll let you copy that down tomorrow, and "flail through that". Love it!!

[@garyredmond9275]

I enjoy a Flight instructor like him He'a already did his time at the airlines doesn't need to build hours nice to see an instructor see someone succeed I am just starting out.. did my ground school and passed... going to continue learning before I do my pilots school Hope I can find someone like him someone that has already did their time

[@lynnwalker]

Love your instructor! A wealth of knowledge for sure. I hope I can find one as good as this guy. Thanks for sharing!

[@frankbiz]

This brought back memories of my flight training many years ago. Great job to both of you!!!!

[@110knotscfii]

Purgatory in the run-up area. lol I have a CFI like this guy. Told me "flying is like sex, if you over think it, you mess it up". That advice broke me out of a major slump.

[@planewire2153]

My instructor also told me flying is like sex, you’ll never get it

[@laprincesadelavaja8294]

Lol ill keep that in mind when i get to fly

[@RD-bx7wl]

M

[@sity909]

Not hating but why work so hard to be an instructor? Why not airline?

[@JBAutomotive794]

The instructor reminds me of my late Grandfather, he was a NoseGunner in the big war and during my childhood i hung out with him at the Confederate Air Force in Camarillo. I never got the chance to sit next to him in the cockpit before he passed away. I am going to start my pilots license journey soon and i know he will be smiling at me the whole time.

[@pilotcharmaine154]

Great video as a student Pilot i learnt alot from this..

[@teenaviator4685]

Did spins with John a few weeks ago ~ what a wonderful guy!

[@stefaniejules6494]

TeenAviator what flight school do u go to

[@dasssudipta123]

Wow, what an instructor! Worth inventing every penny. Lucky you.

[@ekowbaako]

What I learnt from this video, Do Not Leave The Throttle During Taxing,Takeoff and Landing | Fantastic Flight Instructor

[@robertdennis5501]

Good lord that was an awesome lesson. Great job from the instructor and the student.

[@christaylor8281]

You had a great instructor. He explains things in great detail and stays very calm. That was a nice flight. Good luck to you.

[@ufobrownsugar7948]

Looks like he’s teaching his son how to fly! Experienced instructor!

[@jojosicko]

Yeah it’s like a father and son bonding

[@tonybermeo5214]

i am 50 seconds in and i love this instructor already

[@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia]

“Western Michigan University” has one of the top aviation programs in the nation if not the world...a good place to start ..Air Force too

[@surenkohombange7227]

A wonderful flight instructor , You just keep listening and flying with him . Then you realize you are at home .

[@heyitsthatoneguy91]

If a guy whos been flying that long says "you'll do good" id bet you will in fact do good

[@paulettelittle7500]

this instructor is truly teaching u 2 fly right! because this us such a serious job being a airline pilot your life and other people lives depend on it 😊😂

[@okyerepilot9391]

Best Instructor there.. i love him

[@DrunkHog]

Knowing a bit of the terminology and about the 6 pack combined with this instructor helps one learn a lot from this vid. So awesome!

[@46monkeyes]

YOU: I think we’re going down!!! HIM: Look, we got snow in the mountains!

[@brigadeanalytics3737]

My first flight was 36 years ago! This brought back a lot of wonderful memories of flying with my father. This instructor is fantastic. I learned more about leadership from flight training than any MBA or book. Good stuff!

[@jaishetty8586]

amazing flight instructor. I wish I get one like him.

[@BurtonLangille]

This instructor is great, so clear. Long time ago I had an ex-navy guy for flight instructor, he'd yell in my air and slap my leg. Glad to say had some great ones later for instructment etc. Love: "birds will avoid landing lights"

[@Catboy.]

Looking to start flight school in about 6 months, I'm educating myself as much as possible beforehand, wish me luck:)

[@jeffobrien1836]

So, it’s been two years since you made this comment. Made me a little curious how it all went for you?

[@Catboy.]

@@jeffobrien1836 the avaition program i am with didnt have enough instructors, then covid hit so i just started flying in September 2020 and im past my stage 2 check and looking to do my checkride sometime in march im guessing

[@sisayhussain3534]

Deep respect for the instructor!!! The student is lucky to get this experienced pilot.

[@Falcon2.39-1]

Those rudder pedals can be a real leg workout haha

[@thomaskeller7869]

You hit the jackpot with your instructor. Best of the best!

[@supernova6177]

Lots to take in. I want to fly someday.

[@ColeAviation]

Which all flight instructors were this great. 👍🏼 And your friend Daniel has really got a LOT of trust & faith in you. 🤣👍🏼😉 Great job!