Pilot Training Plan Template (Copy/Paste)
A training plan is your “GPS”: it keeps lessons focused, reduces wasted hours, and makes progress measurable. Use this template for PPL, Instrument, Commercial, or checkride prep.
Tip: Keep your plan to one page for weekly use. Put details (ACS tasks, references, notes) in a separate doc.
1) Training goals
Primary goal
Example: "Private Pilot Certificate (ASEL)"
Target date
Example: "June 15, 2026"
Airport(s)
Example: "KORL / KISM / KSFB"
Aircraft
Example: "C172 G1000" or "PA-28"
Define success: “Pass the checkride” is the result. The plan is about what proficiency looks like before the checkride.
2) Weekly schedule (the biggest predictor of success)
Ideal cadence
2–3 lessons/week until checkride prep.
Minimum cadence
1 lesson/week (progress is slower).
Study cadence
3–5 short sessions/week beats 1 long cram.
Make-up rule
If weather cancels, reschedule within 72 hours.
If a student trains once every two weeks, they usually pay extra to “relearn” what they lost. Consistency saves money.
3) Lesson format (repeatable structure)
A
Pre-brief (10–20 min)
Objectives, risk, weather, NOTAMs, maneuver standards, what “good” looks like.
B
Flight/Sim (0.8–1.5 hr typical)
Train 1–3 things maximum. Depth beats variety.
C
Debrief (10–20 min)
What improved, what didn’t, why, and the plan for next lesson.
D
Homework (15–45 min)
A specific assignment tied to the next lesson.
Rule: If you can’t explain the objective in one sentence, the lesson is too big.
4) Milestones (checkpoints)
Milestone 1: Fundamentals solid
- Consistent landings
- Good trims + airspeed control
- Checklist flow + SRM habits
Milestone 2: Maneuver proficiency
- ACS tolerances trending
- Predictable recoveries
- Better situational awareness
Milestone 3: XC / real-world ops
- Planning + nav confidence
- Workload management
- ATC comms comfort
Milestone 4: Checkride readiness
- Mock oral pass
- Mock flight pass
- Logbook + endorsements clean
Don’t wait for the end to do a mock. Do a short “mini-mock” every 2–3 weeks.
5) Study plan (simple and trackable)
Flight briefing
Read the objective + watch one short video + review standards.
After lesson
Write 5 bullet notes: what I did, why, what to fix, how to fix, next.
Weekly review
One 30-minute review of weak topics + flashcards.
Oral prep
Build an “Oral Bank”: questions you missed + the right answers + references.
Best trick: teach-back. If you can teach a concept clearly, you actually know it.
6) Template you can copy/paste (one-page plan)
Copy/Paste Plan
Replace the blanks. Keep it short.
TRAINING PLAN — (Student Name) — (Certificate/Rating) 1) Goal - Primary goal: ___________________________ - Target checkride date (goal): ____________ - Aircraft: ____________ Airport(s): ______ - Instructor: __________ Schedule: ________ 2) Weekly cadence - Flights per week: ____ Ground per week: ____ - Preferred days/times: ________________________ - Make-up rule: if cancelled, reschedule within ___ hours. 3) Current status (today) - Strengths: ___________________________________ - Weak areas: __________________________________ - Biggest limiter (money/time/study/anxiety): ______ 4) Next 3 lessons (short horizon) Lesson 1: ______________________ (Objective) - Standards: ________________________________ - Homework before: __________________________ - Homework after: ___________________________ Lesson 2: ______________________ (Objective) - Standards: ________________________________ - Homework before: __________________________ - Homework after: ___________________________ Lesson 3: ______________________ (Objective) - Standards: ________________________________ - Homework before: __________________________ - Homework after: ___________________________ 5) Milestones (checkpoints) - Milestone 1: ______________________________ (date goal: ____) - Milestone 2: ______________________________ (date goal: ____) - Milestone 3: ______________________________ (date goal: ____) - Mock oral: __________ Mock flight: _________ 6) Policies / expectations - Cancellation: ____ hours notice - Preparedness: if unprepared, lesson becomes ground to stay productive - Communication: best contact method: ____________
7) Checkride prep checklist (last 2–3 weeks)
✓
Logbook & endorsements
Clean, complete, and signed correctly.
✓
Oral bank
Weak topics turned into Q&A with references.
✓
Mock oral
Timed, realistic, and graded.
✓
Mock flight
Run like a checkride, not a training flight.
✓
Paperwork ready
ID, IACRA, medical, aircraft docs, maintenance notes.
✓
Go/no-go logic
Personal minimums and risk management decision-making.
Reality: most “checkride failures” are failures of preparation structure, not talent.