Flying, probably one of the greatest achievements of modern civilization, has its roots in the legends of the ancient world. Man has always been fascinated with this concept of defying gravity and has spent many a day wondering whether it would ever be achieved. Once the Wright Brothers took flight, there was no looking back, and man continues to fly to greater glory with each passing day.

With the advent of flying, there arose various related aspects, and pilot training is one very important factor.

The word aviator is most likely derived from the Latin word Aviatrix, also used to denote lady pilots. An aviator can be described as someone who flies an airplane either professionally or for pleasure.

A pilot has to learn the various elements that aid him taking an aircraft up and in bringing it down again safely with no harm to manthis process of learning is known as flight training. A pilot has to undergo rigorous study and has to complete all levels of training before he is certified to fly. Some important topics of study would be the principles of flight, navigation, rules and regulations governing flying, meteorology, etc.

Aviators can be categorized as civilian pilots and military pilots. Civilian pilots also include airline pilots. Entry to this field has certain minimum criteria vis--vis physical health and a certain level of education, including includes English, math, and science. One has to be eighteen years of age to commence training and should be twenty-one years of age and should have completed 1,500 hours of actual flying at the time of he or she obtains a license.

But apart from all the technical aspects of flying, there are some other things that go a long way in making a good pilot. A calm demeanor in the wake of a crisis, an ability to keep panic at bay when in an emergency, a clear and thorough knowledge of the aircrafts instruments, an ability to instill confidence in his crew and passengers, an ability to give clear, precise instructions, and, last but not least, excellent communication skills.