Briefing · New Student Onboarding
Your first
9 steps.
Everything to do before your first lesson.
No rush. No pressure. Work at your own pace.
This guide covers everything from your free intro meeting with Sam through to listening to tower frequencies on LiveATC, including the free 14-page Waitlist Study Guide PDF that Sam wrote. Complete these steps while you wait for a training slot and you will be miles ahead on day one.
The 9 Steps
Free Intro Meeting with Sam45-60 minutes · by appointment
Every student starts with a free, no-obligation sit-down with Sam, the school owner. This is a conversation, not a sales pitch. You will talk through your goals (private license, career path, bucket-list flying), realistic timelines, estimated costs and what to expect from Part 61 training at a busy airport like Long Beach.
Come with questions. There is no wrong answer and no commitment required. Reach out any time to schedule your free intro meeting.
Join the WaitlistNo deposit · No contracts
Aces High runs a waitlist because demand consistently outpaces available instructor slots. Adding your name is free. There is no deposit and no contract to sign. The waitlist gives you time to complete steps 3 through 9 so you are fully prepared when your slot opens.
On the waitlist? Here's what's waiting for you
Every Aces High student trains with our own custom-built app: book your own lessons, get a text reminder before every flight, and watch your hours and milestones add up. We designed it in-house and improve it constantly. You get set up the day you start, nothing to download here.
See the Aces High App →Get Your FAA Medical Certificate$120-$140 · 20-30 minutes
You need at least a Third Class medical certificate to solo and to earn your Private Pilot License. Get this done early. If a disqualifying condition surfaces, it is far better to find out before investing thousands in flight hours.
We recommend Dr. Hertzog in Long Beach at (562) 799-2020. The exam costs $120 to $140 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Register on MedXPress first, complete the online form, and bring the confirmation number plus a valid photo ID to the appointment.
See the full breakdown on our FAA Medical Certificate page.
Download the Waitlist Study Guide14 pages · written by Sam · free PDF
Sam wrote a 14-page Waitlist Study Guide specifically for students waiting for an instructor slot. It's a structured reading and study plan that covers everything you should be doing now so you arrive on day one miles ahead. Free to every new student.
Begin Ground SchoolSelf-paced · Online or in-person
Ground school covers the academic side of flying: aerodynamics, weather, navigation, airspace, FAA regulations, aircraft systems and flight planning. You will need to pass the FAA written exam before your checkride, so the earlier you start, the better.
Ground school is purely written-exam prep — it covers about 30% of what you need to know. The other 70% comes from the Waitlist Study Guide (Step 4), homework your CFI sets, YouTube videos, and the classroom work you do one-on-one with your instructor. Treat ground school as one leg of the stool, not the whole stool.
We recommend Pilot Institute for a structured, video-based online course. Other reputable options include King Schools, Sporty's and Gleim. Choose whichever format fits your learning style. You can begin ground school while still on the waitlist.
Scan with your phone camera or visit pilotinstitute.com. Using our affiliate link costs you nothing extra and helps fund free school resources like the Study Guide.
Schedule the FAA Written Exam~$175 · 60 questions · 70% passes, 85%+ recommended, 90%+ preferred
The Private Pilot Knowledge Test (PAR) is a 60-question multiple choice exam administered at PSI testing centers. You can book it at faa.psiexams.com. Cost is approximately $175.
70% is a pass, but we really want to see a minimum of 85% — 90% or higher is preferable. A strong written score shows a higher level of knowledge and confidence, and it makes your actual checkride easier: examiners are required to probe deeper on the topics you got wrong on the written, so the higher you score, the lighter the oral.
Don't rush to schedule the real exam. Wait until you are consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests before you book the PSI slot.
Acquire MaterialsLogbook · Kneeboard · FAA Handbooks
You will need a pilot logbook (available for purchase at the school or online), a kneeboard for note-taking in the cockpit, and a set of FAA handbooks. The two essential handbooks are the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) and the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH). Both are free PDFs straight from the FAA — download them here:
Airplane Flying Handbook (PDF) → Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PDF) →
Your instructor may recommend additional items (headset, chart supplement, E6B or electronic flight calculator) once training begins.
Study the POHCessna 152 or Cessna 172
The Pilot's Operating Handbook is the manufacturer's manual for your specific aircraft. Read it cover to cover. Know the V-speeds, limitations, emergency procedures, weight and balance methodology and normal checklists. Your instructor will quiz you on this material and you will be tested on it during your checkride.
Most students train in the Cessna 152. If you plan to train in the 172, study that POH instead. Either way, start early and revisit it often.
Listen to LiveATCKLGB Tower · 120.5 MHz
Radio communication is one of the most intimidating parts of learning to fly. You can take the edge off before your first lesson by listening to live air traffic control audio from Long Beach Airport on LiveATC.net.
Listen to how pilots request taxi clearances, announce departures and read back landing instructions. You will not understand everything at first, but the cadence and vocabulary will become familiar over time. Even 15 minutes a day makes a noticeable difference.
The Waitlist Study Guide
G · 01
Written by Sam.
Not a generic handout. A structured 14-page guide written specifically for Aces High students based on 15+ years of teaching at Long Beach Airport.
G · 02
Study plan included.
Week-by-week reading assignments covering aerodynamics, weather, navigation, airspace and regulations. Designed to fill your waitlist time productively.
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Local knowledge.
Covers KLGB-specific procedures, SoCal airspace, local landmarks and the traffic patterns you will actually fly during training.
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Free to download.
No email, no signup, no purchase. Direct PDF download — grab it whenever you're ready.
Ready?
Start with
step one.
Schedule your free intro meeting with Sam. No commitment, no pressure. Just a conversation about flying and where you want to go.
Start the conversation
Let's get you flying.
Drop your details and we'll be in touch as soon as we can. No obligation, no hard sell.