| How can I learn how to fly? Common questions and answers on learning to fly |
| Is learning to fly difficult? If you can learn to drive a car you can learn how to pilot an airplane! |
| What are the eligibility requirements to start flying lessons? Federal Aviation Administration Requirements: You must be 16 years old to solo, and 17 years old to get a license, you must be able to read, speak, and understand English, be able to prove U.S. citizenship be able to pass a basic physical exam Some young adults choose to start training before they have reached 16. Training before age 16 does count towards their official training time, but they will not be able to solo until they are 16. |
| How much training does it take to get a license? The FAA requires a minimum 40 hours of total flight time to get a license. However the average student pilot has about 65 hours of experience before taking the test. Most students are able to solo (fly by themselves for the first time) after only 8-12 hours of instruction. |
| What is the training like? Flight Training involves both flying and classroom lessons that are meant to fit together in a step by step skill building process. The typical lesson usually involves a briefing and about 1 hour of flight. |
| Is it difficult to learn to fly? No, almost everybody can learn to pilot an airplane, similar to learning to drive a car. It is a step by step building process that is learned by doing, after instructor demonstration, and under coaching, supervision and practice. |
| How often should I fly when taking lessons? Students can fly as much or as little as their schedule allows, but should try to fly once a week, twice or three times works best for optimal student progress. Lessons are usually kept to about an hour per flight, and you could do two to three lessons a day with a break between each. Before work, after work, evenings, and weekends are all excellent choices for taking flying lessons. |
| How safe is it? Compared to automobiles, small airples have about one-tenth as many accidents on a per vehicle mile basis, and the accident rate of small aircraft has dropped steadily since 1980. A large part of flight training centers around handiling and avoiding various emergency situations that could arise. |
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| What am I able to do after I get a private license? After completion of your private pilot training and you are issued a private license, you are abel to carry passengers, fly anywhere in the U.S. day or night, in fair weather, in light single engine aircraft |
| How long will it take to complete my training? If you fly 3-4 times a week and stay fairly dedicated, you could be all done with your training in 6-8 weeks and ready for your test. With a more casual schedule, 6-9 months is fairly common. There is no time limit to complete your training within. |
| I want to start flight training, what should I do now? 1. Take an introductory flight lesson at Northern Sky Aviation, the cost is only $50! 2. Go get a FAA flight phyiscal. Ask for a 3rd Class Medical and a student pilot certificate. Has to be done by an AME. Dale Klein, MD Q & R Clinic Mandan North 910 NW 18th Street Mandan, ND 58554 701-667-5100 3. Get a photocopy of your birth certificate and a photo ID (both sides) to bring to your instructor when you begin flight training. These documents must be on file with your instructor before you begin your official flight training. It is part of a citizenshp verification rule form the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). |