Taking a plane is common but I have always wondered what it feels like to actually fly one.  Today I did it.   Well, not exactly.  I just co-pilot one.  Okay, I admit, basically I just got to play with it when it is taxing on the runway and when it is flying in the air.
I took a discovery flight session at the flight school "Air Fleet Training".  It is located at Caldwell/Essex County Airport in Fairfield NJ.   The airport is small and I saw about 50 aircrafts, which I was told all belong to some flight schools there.  

First, the instructor showed me how to inspect the aircraft before take-off:  tire, wires, bolts, fuel, engine oil, etc; making sure there is no water in the fuel, which may come from condensation.  From what I can tell, the aircraft is pretty "primitive" comparing to those commercial airplanes we used to fly with.  Then I realized that I do not have enough life insurance...

The instructor then called for a fuel truck and more fuel is added to the plane.  Unexpectedly the fuel is stored in the wings.  With everything set, it is time to board the plane.

 I got to sit in the pilot seat.  The cabin is very small: 2 front seats, 2 back seats and a small storage area at the back where some people can use to smuggle drugs or weaponry.  No air conditioning and I was sweating like a pig. 

The instructor taught me how to make turns on the ground using the foot pedals.  After some taxing, the instructor took over the control for take off.  Radio: "Skyhawk 491, you are clear for take off".  Contrary to big planes, this one only need a few seconds and we are already in the air!  It feels more stable than I expected and we climbed higher and higher.  He handed over the control to me soon after we ascended.  Basically: pull up, push down, one hand on the wheel and one hand on the thottle.  It is not difficult at all and it is a new feeling to feel control in the air.  We got to as high as 2500 feet and feels like we are moving slowly.  The airspeed is about 150miles/hr.  If regular commercial airplane is a Harley, this aircraft is a scooter. 

The instructor kept asking me to look for planes out there and if so, tell him.  It sounded to me as if he wanted to take a nap and let me fly the plane.  We flew over some lakes and some rural area neighborhood in NJ.  We flew back to the airport after 30 minutes.  Then of course, the instructor took care of the landing as well. 

As expected, the most complicated part is take-off and landing.  I was told that there is no black box on the plane.  Our conversation is transmitted to the airport tower and recorded there. 

To get a pilot license, one need a minimum of 35 hours of training but most students there took around 50-70 hours before taking the written test, oral test and the flight test.  There are different ratings too.  One needs more training to fly using instruments when visibility or weather condition is poor. 

Final note: every plane has a registration.  US ones begins with an "N" and Canado with a "C".