How to get the Pilots Licence before Learning to Fly

It is possible to get a flying licence at the very start of the game. Once you have a pilots licence the airport gates will open. The licence is obtained by increasing the flying skill and can only be done by flying (obviously). If you wait until the third island you can get it by completing the Toreno mission entitled Learning to Fly (get bronze in all Flying School challenges).

Getting in

The first problem is getting into the airport when the gates will not open. To get into Los Santos International Airport all you have to do is get a car, park it against the wall of the airport, get on top of the car and jump over the wall. You don't even get a wanted star for this.

Improving Flying Skill

Since it is early in the game you may want to explore the area north of Los Santos but don't fly to other islands as Hydras (fighter jets) will shoot you down and you will get a five star wanted level.

The fastest way to improve flying skill is to do tricks such as barrel rolls and loop the loops.  The videos below give a good demonstration of these tricks.