Not only is flying a popular way to get around our state, it's the only way to see some of Alaska's vast remote areas. In this edition of Get Out, CBS 11 News takes to the friendly skies to get a crash course at becoming an Alaskan pilot.

Alaska is big, three times the size of Texas. Where the roads won't take you, a plane will.

"Alaska, what it has, is flying is big here. Everybody can really get their private license and fly to spectacular places. So that's what encourages people to come to the school and fly," said Take Flight Alaska Instructor, Fernando Colaci.

Take Flight Alaska is at Merrill Field. They're taking CBS 11 News through the first steps to becoming a pilot. We started off by getting a rundown of the plane

we'll be learning to fly in.

"It's very important for us to have the weight and balance very well done," said Colaci.

We also take a last look at the weather to assure the winds are in our favor before climbing aboard and taxiing to the runway.

We began our first flight by circling way up to the Chugach Mountains where Alaska's grandeur really begins to take shape.

"There are very few things that compare with flying, in my opinion. The freedom you can have in the air is just unique," said Colaci.

We headed for Birchwood where our first big test came. Then we were back in the air where I got my first taste of the downward spiral.

Getting your private license is not as complicated as you might think. It takes about two to four months of training, including 35 flight hours plus 20 hours of ground instruction.

"Flying in Alaska is challenging. It's not unsafe. You just need to learn," said Colaci.

And for me, learning was an experience I'll not forget. If you're interested in finding out more about becoming a pilot, you can click below for information on classes with Take Flight Alaska.