If you're dreaming of becoming a private pilot, take the time to find out what is required before you go too far. Obviously, you're going to need to make sure you have the most basic requirements met. You'll need to be 17 years old before you can actually have a pilots certificate but, you can start your training any time before then. You won't be able to solo until you're 16. You'll also need to be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Lastly on the list of basics, you'll want to make sure you can pass a third class aviation physical. It's not that tough, but there are plenty of people who can't pass. You'll want to know that before you get too far into your training.
The first step in the process of earning your private pilot license is to find flights schools in your area. Take your time to go in, look around, meet the instructors and take a look at the aircraft. Also, ask for a list of previous students and find out if you can contact them. This is going to be a time of very intense training, so you want to make sure everything with the school checks out. Don't be too freaked out about flying in a plane built in the 1970's as that's not too uncommon. Of course, the newer the plane, the more features you'll have. But, new doesn't always mean safe.
Once you've found a school, look for an instructor who you can trust and seems to match your personality type. You're going to be spending a lot of hours together in very closer quarters, so you want to make sure you enjoy each others company. You'll also want a flight instructor who actually enjoys teaching people to fly. Unfortunately, a good chunk of CFI's are only there to get the hours they need and then move on to one of the regional airlines. They don't always make the best instructors. Of course, sometimes they do, so don't let that be your only deciding factor.
There is a great debate that goes on among students and instructors over when to do your ground school. Some believe you should finish up your ground school and take your written exam before starting your flight training. The theory is, you'll have the knowledge you need for every step in the process and can focus on the flight portion of your training. Others believe it's best to keep your ground school training a step or two ahead of your flight training, so you learn the theory and then reinforce it immediately with the actual flight time. Either way, you have to get it done, so do what you need to make it fit into your schedule.
If you're attending a part 61 flight school, you'll need to complete 40 hours of flight training before you can take your practical exam or checkride. Of that time, 20 hours must be dual instruction with a certified flight instructor and 10 hours of solo time. You'll also need to have some other time requirements met, such as night flight, instrument time and cross-country flights. These will all come together as your CFI instructs.
The last hurdle to getting your private pilot license is your checkride or practical exam. This will include an oral exam as well as an evaluation of your flying ability. The oral portion will typically take 2 or more hours of time. It will include a good dialog with your examiner about all areas of knowledge you're expected to have. It can be quite stressful, but a wonderful learning experience at the same time.
Your actual flight exam will be spent going over the practical test standards or PTS which you should have reviewed several times with your CFI. Remember, your examiner is NOT trying to trip you up or see if he or she can fail you. They're there to make sure you're going to be safe sharing the sky with them and the other pilots in the world. This is also a wonderful opportunity to learn from this experience.
Having passed all these skills tests, your examiner will reach out his hand to congratulate you as a new pilot. He'll then issue a temporary certificate while you wait for the FAA to issue the real deal. It will be one of those moments in your life you won't soon forget. Congratulations pilot!
The first step in the process of earning your private pilot license is to find flights schools in your area. Take your time to go in, look around, meet the instructors and take a look at the aircraft. Also, ask for a list of previous students and find out if you can contact them. This is going to be a time of very intense training, so you want to make sure everything with the school checks out. Don't be too freaked out about flying in a plane built in the 1970's as that's not too uncommon. Of course, the newer the plane, the more features you'll have. But, new doesn't always mean safe.
Once you've found a school, look for an instructor who you can trust and seems to match your personality type. You're going to be spending a lot of hours together in very closer quarters, so you want to make sure you enjoy each others company. You'll also want a flight instructor who actually enjoys teaching people to fly. Unfortunately, a good chunk of CFI's are only there to get the hours they need and then move on to one of the regional airlines. They don't always make the best instructors. Of course, sometimes they do, so don't let that be your only deciding factor.
There is a great debate that goes on among students and instructors over when to do your ground school. Some believe you should finish up your ground school and take your written exam before starting your flight training. The theory is, you'll have the knowledge you need for every step in the process and can focus on the flight portion of your training. Others believe it's best to keep your ground school training a step or two ahead of your flight training, so you learn the theory and then reinforce it immediately with the actual flight time. Either way, you have to get it done, so do what you need to make it fit into your schedule.
If you're attending a part 61 flight school, you'll need to complete 40 hours of flight training before you can take your practical exam or checkride. Of that time, 20 hours must be dual instruction with a certified flight instructor and 10 hours of solo time. You'll also need to have some other time requirements met, such as night flight, instrument time and cross-country flights. These will all come together as your CFI instructs.
The last hurdle to getting your private pilot license is your checkride or practical exam. This will include an oral exam as well as an evaluation of your flying ability. The oral portion will typically take 2 or more hours of time. It will include a good dialog with your examiner about all areas of knowledge you're expected to have. It can be quite stressful, but a wonderful learning experience at the same time.
Your actual flight exam will be spent going over the practical test standards or PTS which you should have reviewed several times with your CFI. Remember, your examiner is NOT trying to trip you up or see if he or she can fail you. They're there to make sure you're going to be safe sharing the sky with them and the other pilots in the world. This is also a wonderful opportunity to learn from this experience.
Having passed all these skills tests, your examiner will reach out his hand to congratulate you as a new pilot. He'll then issue a temporary certificate while you wait for the FAA to issue the real deal. It will be one of those moments in your life you won't soon forget. Congratulations pilot!
