PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE
| Private Pilots enjoys the freedom of flight and the challenge
of mastering a complex skill in an extremely dynamic environment. Perhaps it's the
freedom, or the feeling of danger that lures so many. Whatever the reason, students soon
realize that their vision of excitement and dominance of the skies is soon surrendered for
a deep respect of the highly turbulent environment they launch themselves into. Almost any local airport has private flight training services offered to anyone with the desire to fly. These Fixed Base Operators or FBO's can train a pilot from the ground up to any level desired. Most pilots start with a Private Pilot Certificate.
Typically it takes about 55 flight hours to learn the basics for passing the Private Pilot Practical Test. This is after successful completion of Ground School, and required written tests. You must also pass a FAA approved physical exam. Although some people are eliminated from eligibility because of physical health reasons, it is possible to get certified if your particular handicap does not pose a serious threat to flight safety. Contrary to popular belief, bad eyesight is usually not a barrier if corrective lenses are worn. Even colorblind people can pass, but may have special limitations placed on their certificate. See a FAA approved Flight Physician to discuss specifics. The Private Pilot Certificate has some limitations placed upon it such as flying in clouds, or low visibility weather. It is nearly impossible for a Private Pilot to fly without visual reference to the ground. Learning to fly by "instruments" requires an Instrument Rating. The reasons for this are not readily apparent because so many people erroneously relate flying to driving which places little relevance on weather. Cars can be driven in almost any type of weather because you only need to see the road in front of you to navigate. An airplane has no road to guide you so it would be similar to spray painting your car's windows gray, and then trying to go somewhere! Impossible!
All flying will involve using these four basic fundamentals so in turn a clear understanding of the proper way to execute each one becomes your training foundation. During take-off, you're in a climb. The first fundamental seems straight forward enough but how steep should you climb and how high should you go? How steep should you turn? These are the issues addressed and understood before any maneuvers are learned. Most of the training is hands on, meaning the instructor will demonstrate if necessary, then the student practices until the skill is learned. The instructor will probably only take over when it's time to land the plane. Landing the airplane takes several hours of fundamental training before a student can do it safely. The most commonly misunderstood piloting skill is "directional control". An airplane is not steered like a car. Course changes require a certain coordination of rudder and ailerons to accomplish safely. This coordinated use of the controls results in the banking of the airplane and thus redirecting the upward lift vector slightly toward the course change.
Once a pilot can land safely, then he is ready to solo. We all know what this means: To fly solo; with no instructor to help fly the plane. Usually a solo flight will involve three landings in succession right at the same airport. The pilot will take off, circle around the airport once and land on the same runway. Next he'll stop, taxi back, take off and land again. Private Pilot Training continues with cross country flight training and review. This involves extensive flight planning. Including weather briefing, weight and balance calculations, Charting routes, filing a flight plan and making the "go, no go, decision". After receiving dual instruction on cross-country navigation, the student will fly specific routes, solo. Then if the student has passed ground school and the written test, a check-ride from an authorized examiner is the last step. Passing this test is not difficult if you have done your homework. The instructor will know before you take the test if you're ready to pass.
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Instruction costs are modest compared to the cost of airplane
operation. A student usually rents an airplane to receive instruction in, which can cost
$35 to $80 per operating hour. The price can skyrocket to $150 for more complex aircraft.
Many FBO's claim low prices on training, but generally Private Pilot training ends up
costing $3,000 to $4,000. You need to include factors such as books, medical exams and
testing fees. The average person needs more time than the 35-hour FAA minimum in order to
pass the tests. Which is what most cost estimates are based on. 
The first flight lesson introduces the Four Fundamentals
of Flight. 
