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Requirements For Getting A Private Pilot License

Getting a pilot license is a very fun and rewarding experience. There are guidelines set by the FAA that explain what you have to do in order to get a private pilot license. The basic requirements for a pilot license are as follows:

Medical Certificate – You must pass the basic medical exam that all applicants are required to undergo, certifying that you meet the medical standards for safely operating an aircraft. More details about the medical certificate are discussed below.

Age – You must be at least 16 years old to fly an airplane solo (by yourself) with a student pilot certificate, and 17 years old to get a private pilot license. There is no upper age limit, provided that you are healthy enough to pass the basic medical exam.

Language – As a private pilot, you have to be able to read, speak, and understand English (the international language of aviation).

Time – A private license requires a minimum of 40 hours of total flight time, with the national average around 65 hours before the final check ride, as well as extra time for study on the ground in preparation for an FAA written test. The length of your training depends in part on how much time you devote to it. Concentrated full-time programs can be completed in as few as two weeks or a month, while a part-time student typically takes between four and six months of flying a few times a week.

Money – You can learn to fly on a budget; even still, it is not a cheap undertaking. If you train part-time at a local airport, for example, plan on investing in the range of $4,000 to $6,000, with costs varying widely by region. It is a good idea to consider whether you have the funds to start training and reach your goal within a reasonable time period. Someone who flies a few times a week keeps what they have just learned fresh in their mind. Each lesson allows new topics to be introduced. However, flying only a couple times a month may have you relearning some of the material from the previous lesson. In this case, not only will it take you longer (on the calendar) to get your license, but it might take more flight training hours to get ready for your checkride as well.

But as long as you are having fun, it will be well worth it in the end. Keep in mind that you do not need to pay for all of your flight training up front. Most flight schools let you pay as you go, although you might get a price break by paying for a block of lessons in advance. Another way to pay for your training is through financing. When you learn to fly at a Cessna pilot center, you're eligible for a Sallie Mae Financial Corporation professional education loan – affordable financial aid from the nation's leader in educational financing. It's easy to qualify, your rate can be as low as Prime +1%, and you can make interest-only payments (as low as $75 per month) until your training is complete. Generally, for students, there is financing available through Sallie Mae Company, Pilot Finance, and Key Bank. Many students also use local banks for flight training loans.

Another way to reduce your costs once you have your license is to share time with other pilots. There are many people who are looking to fly and build time and experience. Most of the time, it is very easy once you are a pilot to find other pilots who will gladly share in the expense of the flight just for the flight hours. Money is one of the largest obstacles to becoming a pilot. That is why so many people put it at the top of their list of questions when considering flying. You should be concerned with the cost, but ask yourself this question: What is it worth to you to learn to fly safely? For me, it was well worth it.

About the Author - Matt Tanner is a Flight Instructor in Atlanta, Georgia. He shares his extensive aviation knowledge with thousands of people each year. His students have become private pilots, aircraft owners, flight instructors, and U.S. Air Force pilots. To learn the best way to become a pilot, go to privatepilotguide.com or matttanner.com

How To Get A Private Pilot Medical Certificate

If you want to learn to fly, you have to have a FAA medical certificate. Acquiring a medical certificate is not too difficult. You do not have to get a medical certificate before you begin your training. It is only required once you are ready to fly the airplane solo – a highlight that comes more quickly than you might think. However you may want to visit the doctor early in your training if you suspect a problem in getting the certificate. It would be better not to be surprised the day before your first solo with a delay in the process.

This physical must be conducted by an FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). You can ask your Flight Instructor about how to find an AME close to you, or you can call the Aerospace Medical Certification Division of the FAA in Oklahoma City at (405) 954-4821. If you are in good health, you should have no problem getting your medical certificate. At the exam, you will first be asked to fill out an FAA application and medical history form. The doctor will then check your vision, hearing, balance, nose and throat, and listen to your lungs. Finally, the doctor will determine that you do not have any mental or neurological problems such as alcoholism, epilepsy, psychosis, or a serious medical condition like chronic heart disease or diabetes mellitus.

The cost of the exam is not regulated by the FAA, but you can normally expect to pay between $75 and $100. The third class airman medical certificate, required for a private pilot certificate, is valid for three years for applicants younger than 40, and two years for those 40 and older. On a side note, a second class medical is required for a commercial pilot, and a first class medical is required for an airline transport pilot. It is possible for you to acquire a second or first class medical initially, but this is not recommended. These are more in depth medical exams (that you do not need). The last thing you want to happen is to apply for a first class medical and be medically denied. If you are denied a higher certificate, you won’t be able to get any certificate. So just get what you need to begin with.

If you happen to have an unusual medical condition (even a serious one); it is still possible for you to get a private pilot license. However you then would need to an AME to discuss your options (for instance, if you are colorblind you may not be allowed to fly at night, or you may have to wear corrective lenses if your vision isn’t great.)

Your medical certificate is also your student pilot certificate that is valid for two years while you work toward a private pilot certificate. Make sure you keep up with your certificate. Anyone acting as pilot-in-command (PIC) of an airplane must carry a current and appropriate medical certificate on each flight.

One more thing about medical certificates; make sure that you use an AME who has been recommended to you. I have had students who went to an unknown doctor who was great at medicine, but knew practically nothing about aviation (even though he was certified by the FAA.) Their paperwork got really messed up and the doctor made very unnecessary and lengthy delays in the process. Again, get a recommendation, anything is better than nothing.

About the Author - Matt Tanner is a certified flight instructor in the Atlanta, Georgia area. To learn the best way to learn to fly, visit matttanner.com or matttanner.com/aviationletter.htm

Pilot Training: Getting In The Air

If flying is something that you have dreamed about, then pilot training can and should be part of your future. This type of learning is one of the most exciting because it takes individuals to places that they could never be otherwise. Being in control of a plane is something that is amazing, a feeling that is truly unmatched. If you are interested in pilot training, strap in and start learning first about how it will work.

There are several opportunities available in pilot training. Some of these options include programs that certify you to become a private, commercial or airline transport pilot. These are exciting careers that can have you spending your working hours each day high above the ground. For many, this has been a dream in the making that they have dreamt about for years and years.

But, what happens now that you know you want to get a pilot training? You will want to choose the right pilot training school. To do this, you'll want to focus on finding a school in the right area. If you have the option to choose anywhere, consider locations that have good weather conditions for most of the year. This will help you to get your hours of flying training in as quick as possible.

Next, you'll find yourself learning. The first step in training for pilots is to do the book work. You'lll find yourself learning about all sorts of things from how and why a plane works to how to manage a crisis in the air. From there, you'll be able to use flight simulators to help teach you what you should be doing while you are safely on the ground. Some of these simulators are amazing in that they are actually the size and feel of the cockpit.The final stop, of course, in pilot training is getting off the ground and into the air. You will be amazed at how wonderful it can be to get up in the sky. You will spend anywhere from 1500 to 20,000 hours of pilot training in the skies.

About the Author - For more information please see pilot-training-info.co.uk

5 Steps To Becoming A Pilot

Think you don’t have the money or the time to learn to fly? Training to be a pilot can mean expensive instruction fees, high gas prices and maintenance charges, and it can require many hours of flight time. But becoming a pilot doesn’t have to be out of reach. By planning ahead and making strategic decisions, anyone can become a licensed pilot. Just follow these steps:

1. Research, research, research
Many aspects of the student pilot process require you to do your homework, and with all of the information available on the internet there is no excuse for you to spend a penny more than you have to. By accessing free pilot resources online (at FAA.org, for example) you will save on the cost of expensive printed materials. And if you do enough studying on your own you may not need to pay for ground school to pass the pilot’s test.

2. Explore every option
By investigating all of the ground schools and pilot programs in your area and weighing all of the associated costs, you will get the best possible instruction for the least amount of money. Small, rural airports often give quality instruction and lower rates than bigger airports. Also, flight schools in places like Florida, Arizona, and Texas have good weather year-round that will enable you to train two to three times a week. Consistent training is crucial to making progress and will help you retain new skills from week to week. If you go to Arizona or Florida you can actually get your Private Pilot License for $5k to $8k in 14 to 30 days. Choosing the right place to learn can save you money, get you better instruction, and give you more flexibility with flight schedules.

3. Become a part of the aviation community
Get engaged in the aviation world by visiting websites and blogs online and participating in discussions. Join the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to stay informed about the latest issues affecting the flying community. Get involved with the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), an excellent source of information about homebuilts like the light sport aircraft (LSA) so popular right now. Or join a local flying club. Networking with other aviation enthusiasts both on- and offline will create more flying opportunities.

4. Use a flight simulator
While practice flying a real plane is ideal, it’s not always practical. Flight simulators are a great way to keep your mind in flight mode and to sharpen your aviation skills. Student pilots who exercise their flight skills frequently using methods like flight simulators often learn faster and perform better than pilots who rely solely on actual flight time.

5. Buy an older airplane
Buying a brand new piston or jet aircraft is probably not financially feasible for many would-be fliers, but don’t let that stop you. There is a big market for older, used aircraft, and with determination and discipline, anyone can save up and purchase their own plane.

About the Author - Steven Styles is the President of SkyGeek.com, an online retailer offering a huge selection of low-priced aviation parts and material by the top manufacturers in the industry. SkyGeek is based out of the Styles family’s Sky Acres airport in upstate New York. Visit SkyGeek today at skygeek.com and view their products.