Congratulations on taking the first step on the path to learning to fly! Spending some time
to research your options will help you to become knowledgeable about the process
and ensure that you receive the best flight training possible. Below are some common questions
and answers regarding this process to help you get started in the right direction.
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world. It is a truly unique experience.
Some people start flying to make a career out of it, eventually working as a corporate or airline pilot. For others, flying is a convenient and cost-effective method of personal or business travel. But most fly for pure enjoyment, taking local flights on nice days to see new and interesting places.
Whether you want to fly for a living or just for fun, general aviation offers a safe, rewarding and surprisingly affordable way to get around.
The length of time it takes to earn a pilot\'s certificate varies widely, and depends on how spread out your training schedule is. A major milestone in your training is your first solo. This is when you fly the plane without your instructor. Most students reach this point after 15-20 hours of flight instruction.
From there, you will train for either the Recreational or Private Pilot Certificate. Federal Aviation Regulations require a minimum of 30 hours of training for the Recreational Pilot Certificate, and most students complete this certificate in this time. For the Private, the minimum is 40 hours - 20 with an instructor and 20 solo - but most students take 60-80 hours. Note that these figures represent only flight time, and do not include time spent on ground school or personal study.
The biggest factor in determining how long training will take is how often you fly. If you fly only once a week, you will spend half of each lesson "relearning" concepts that you have forgotten. This approach will take longer, so it\'s is best to try to fly at least twice a week. In that case, you could earn your certificate in only a few months.
There are a lot of quality flight instructors available to help you achieve your goal. A good place to begin is with an established, reputable flight school. Some of the services an established school may offer include:
A bricks-and-mortar facility with classrooms, helpful teaching aids, and a supportive learning environment.
A staff of flight instructors from which to choose.
A proven training curriculum.
A fleet of training aircraft.
An efficient scheduling system for aircraft and instructors.
Flexible hours to fit your training schedule.
Experience in teaching primary students.
Gear to loan, rent, or sell such as headsets and charts.
Financing arrangements to help you manage the cost of learning to fly.
Some schools that cater to aspiring professional pilots even offer housing and job placement opportunities.
Just as your flight instructor will have lesson plans to guide your training, you should have a plan for guiding your choice of a training provider.
No one wants to pay too much for a product or service, and it\'s certainly no different with learning to fly. Learning to fly involves some expense, but it\'s important to examine this expense as an investment that will provide a lifetime of return. The extent and depth of the training you will receive for your money makes learning to fly one of the all-time great bargains compared to many other recreational or business pursuits. For a few thousand dollars you will acquire the basic skills needed to safely enjoy an extraordinary and unique activity for years to come.
As with many things, in the long run value turns out to be more important than the bottom-line cost of your flight training. You should be concerned with what you are getting for your money, not just how much you\'ll spend. Value is measured by the quality of the training, and the relationship that develops between you and your instructor or flight school. The cheapest isn\'t usually the best.
When researching cost, be sure to ask about all the expenses associated with training: instructor time, including preflight and post-flight briefings, aircraft rental, ground school, the written test, the oral exam and check ride, and the necessary supplies.
Some schools, and most ab initio career-training academies, charge an all-inclusive price covering flight and ground training for all certificates and ratings in the program. Look carefully at these deals. A seemingly low package price may cover only the minimum instructional flight hours required in the regulations. Since most people take longer, you could end up spending considerably more. Also check on the school\'s financial stability and refund policy in the event you must withdraw for whatever reason and always be cautious of paying large sums of money up front.
If cost is a critical concern, make it a priority on your school shopping list, but don\'t lose sight of the importance of value.
When you start flying, you may be presented the choice of pursuing your Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot certificate. Understanding the differences between them will help you to choose the right one for you.
The Sport Pilot certificate is a new development that allows you to earn your pilot\'s license in as little as 20 hours of training, and does not require a medical certificate. You are, however, limited to flying Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs), defined as a maximum of 1320 lbs. maximum weight and 120 knots maximum speed.
Another great option for new pilots is the Recreational Pilot Certificate. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 61 requires a minimum of 30 hours of flight training for the Recreational. This certificate will allow you to carry up to 1 passenger, during the day, and in aircraft with a maximum of 4 seats and a 180 horsepower engine (a new Cessna 172, for example). This is perfect for local flights with family or friends, and will get you into the air quickly. You can also transition to the Private Pilot certificate when you\'re ready-you\'ll just do some additional training on cross country and night flying.
The Private Pilot certificate has been around the longest, and is often what people mean when they say they "got their license." There are fewer restrictions on the type of airplane you can fly and the places you can fly to, and there are plenty of options for add-on privileges, like Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. The minimum training time is 40 hours--20 with an instructor and 20 solo--but most students take 60-80 hours. These figures are for flight time only, and do not include time spent on ground school or personal study.
For all three of these certificates, there is a written exam and a flight test. Also remember that you can change your mind as you train. For example, Sport Pilot training time can go towards a Recreational or Private license.
Learning to fly can unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom. It is a truly unique experience.
Some people start flying to make a career out of it, eventually working as a corporate or airline pilot. For others, flying is a convenient and cost-effective method of personal or business travel. But most fly merely for pleasure, taking local flights on nice days.
Whether you want to fly for a living or just for fun, general aviation offers a safe, rewarding and surprisingly affordable way to get around.
Flight schools differ on
many levels, ranging from
what types of aircraft they
have to what type of
training curriculum they
follow, if any. This brochure
contains all the information
you will need to know when
comparing flight schools.
Your flight instructor is
the person you look to
for all the answers
during your training. You
want to be comfortable with
and trust this person. This
guide gives insight into
things to look for in a flight
instructor to help find one
that best suits your needs.
