TakethePlunge3

                                Sooo, you've decided that you want to learn to fly?

                                                           Congratulations!

     Your big questions are probably, "What are the requirements to get a Private Pilot's License"? and "How much does it cost?" (If you are looking for information on obtaining an advanced rating, such as an instrument, commercial or flight instructor rating, click here). The first question is the easier one to answer, so let's start with that one.   (If you would like to go back to the home page, click here)

                                            Obtaining A Private Pilot's License

        It's not as difficult and time-consuming as you think! You must have:

        40 hours total of flight (cockpit) training
              20 hours with your instructor
              10 hours of solo time.
             (There ARE minimums. Realistically, most people require about 55- 65 hours total time,
             of which about 30 - 35 spent with the instructor)

          A Student Pilot's License with Medical Certification (Class 1, 2 or 3 certification will work)

          A Passing Score (70 or better) on the FAA Knowledge Exam

          Sufficient Ground Instruction (no specific time requirements) to learn the required aeronautical
             knowledge

         An Oral exam and a Flight Test at the end of your training to assess your readiness to be your
              own pilot

        Step 1 - Obtaining a Student Pilot's License

        Although you may legally begin taking lessons from an authorized instructor prior to obtaining
        a student pilot license, you may NOT fly an aircraft solo (by yourself) without this license.
        Obviously, you must solo before you can finish your training and obtain your private pilot's
        license. Therefore, you are best off getting your student pilot's license as soon as possible,
       or even before you begin training.

                      So, how do I get a student pilot's license? Click here


       Step 2 - Pre-solo ground and flight lessons

        Before you can solo an airplane, you must master a certain amount of knowledge about the FAR's,
        you must have a basic understanding of how your aircraft works, and you must demonstrate                     proficiency in handling the airplane both on the ground and in the air. The exact maneuvers you                 must master and a general description of the knowldge you must have are provided in FAR 61.87.

        Step 3 - Take the pre-solo exam

        This is a paper-and-pencil quiz your instructor will give you. It covers your understanding of the               topics listed above. When you finish, your instructor will review any wrong answers with yo
        correct the test to 100%, and write and endorsement on your student pilot certificate that says you             are qualitied to solo in the make and model of your training aircraft. Then, you will be legal to take             your first solo flight!

        Step 4 - Cross-country training, solo practice, and more basic flying lessons ( FAR's 61.93(e) and
                     61.109)
         After you have soloed, it is time to begin training for cross-country flying. A cross-country flight,for         you, is any flight in which you make a landing at an airport which is located at least 50 nautical miles         (NM) distant, in a straight line, from where you departed.
             In order to prepare for cross-country flight, you will receive more in-depth training on various             navigation techniques, weather, flight services, and how to recognize and handle emergencies.
        During this time, you will continue to refine the maneuvers you were already taught, and practice               solo takeoffs, landings, and flights in the airport traffic pattern.
        You will also receive instruction and practice on flying at night. You will receive at least three hours
         of experience flying with your instructor at night, and this will include one cross-country flight of
         over 100 NM total distance. You will also make at least 10 takeoffs and full-stop landings at night.

        Step 5 - The FAA Knowledge Exam

        At some point during your training, you will be required to pass a 100-question multiple-choice
        exam designed by the FAA. The goal is to test your basic aeronautical knowledge, but
        there is disagreement as to how accurate this exam really is. However, for now, it is still a
        requirement. Some students study by taking one of the popular home-study video/CD courses,
        some take a week-end "cram" session offered by many flight schools, and others simply buy
        one of the many professionally-developed self-study pre-test books. The books offer all of the
        questions that the FAA may ask, detail the correct answers, and provide test-taking tips.

         Step 6 - Solo Cross-Country

        One of the last things you will do before going for your final exams is fly yourself on a cross-
        country trip of at least 150 NM total distance, with landings at two airports at least 50 NM from
        where you started. You will also fly some more solo cross-country (remember, its only a
        minimum of 50 NM), until you have accumulated at least 5 hours total of cross-country flying time.

        Step 7 - Take a "mock" oral exam and flight test with your instructor

        Practice once and show off your stuff for the real thing! When your instructor feels that you are
        ready, he or she will endorse your logbook and help you make an appointment for the big day.