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Private Pilot Certificate LEARNING TO FLY
You probably
have a driver's license issued by your state government
which permits driving privileges. Similarly, the federal
government governs pilot privileges and requires specific
experience, written tests, and flight tests to earn a
pilot's license (called a certificate). The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) is an agency within the U.S. Department
of Transportation. Flying an
airplane is somewhat more complex than driving a car because
you are controlling altitude (up and down) in addition to
left-right movement. It is also more exhilarating because
you have the freedom of three-dimensional movement, greater
speed, and unbelievable panoramas. Flight training is a
pursuable goal that will provide lifelong satisfaction and
pride. Learning to
fly and earning a pilot certificate is fun. Begin today! The
purpose of the next few pages is to acquaint you with the
requirements and procedures to obtain a Private Pilot
Certificate to fly an airplane. WHAT IS A PRIVATE
PILOT CERTIFICATE?
A private
pilot certificate is much like an ordinary driver's license.
It allows you to fly an airplane and carry passengers and
baggage, although not for compensation or hire. However,
operating expenses may be shared with other travelers in the
airplane. REQUIREMENTS TO
OBTAIN A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE
HOURLY REQUIREMENTS
Federal
aviation regulations require a minimum
of
40 hours of flight time to be eligible for the private pilot
certificate. This consists of 30 hours of dual flight time
and 10 hours of solo flight time. "Dual" implies
that an instructor is on board the aircraft with the
student, while "solo" implies that the student be
the sole occupant of the plane. The
instructor teaches the student all necessary fundamentals
and maneuvers prior to solo. During solo flight, the student
practices what has been taught up to that point in training.
After soloing in the local area for several flights, the
instructor teaches cross-country flying techniques. The
student then performs solo cross-country flights for a
minimum of 5 hours. (Usually 3 different trips on 3
different days) |
WRITTEN TEST REQUIREMENTS AND TRAININGThe FAA written test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions selected from the FAA Private Pilot Question Database. You must obtain a score of 70% or better on the written test. The Written Test Prep Course, offered by GLEIM Aviation Books, Jeppesen, King Schools and various other aviation publication sources, provides the basic aeronautical knowledge essential to private pilots. The course is designed to complement flight training and to assist the student in preparing for the FAA written exam. FLIGHT TEST REQUIREMENTSAt the completion of training, the student is required to pass a flight test given by an FAA designated flight examiner. This test consists of a ground oral examination and a flight of approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours. There is an examiner’s fee of approximately $225.00 for the flight test that is paid directly to the examiner. TIME TO OBTAIN YOUR PILOT CERTIFICATEAlthough the FAA minimum requirement is 40 hours of flight instruction, the national average flight time for the Private Pilot course is approximately 60 to 65 hours. The final cost to obtain for your Private Pilot Certificate will vary according to the student's individual skill and the aircraft used in training. It is in the student's best interest to study diligently and to schedule lessons as frequently as possible to minimize costs. The total process usually takes several months and hundreds of total hours of your time due to commuting, ground instruction, aircraft preflight, bad weather, airplane maintenance, etc.
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