Some of the more interesting conversations we have with pilots are how best to get the training required for an upgrade in their pilot skills and/or privileges. Whether it is a new pilot certificate or rating or an endorsement to fly tailwheel or high-performance airplanes, it’s almost invariably going to be an expensive proposition and will require a serious investment of time and effort. The question is how best to go through the process without going broke and with a minimum of problems and distractions.
We’ll look at the matter of upgrading our pilot skills while getting something tangible to show for it in the context of acquiring an endorsement to be allowed to fly as PIC in an airplane we are otherwise rated to fly, adding a rating and getting an appropriate checkout to fly a new-to-you airplane that you’ve purchased.