WIXLIB

HOW MUCH WILLFLIGHT TRAINING COST?Many variables affect the cost of learning to fly, including the frequency of flightlessons, weather conditions, where you fly, your training aircraft, and individualaptitude. The cost of earning your certificate ranges between 5,000 and 15,000,depending on whether you choose to pursue sport, recreational, or private pilottraining. (See page 21 for an overview of each of these certifications.)If you fly more often (multiple times per week, or more), you’ll actually end up spending less money on your flight training. Typically, when you consistently reinforce yourtraining, you don’t have to spend air time re-learning skills or techniques. Instead, youcan continue to move forward and make the most of every moment in flight.Calculatin g hou r sTotal hours in flight refers to the amount of time that you spend in the airplane withthe propeller spinning. Remember that you will spend time on the ground during eachlesson with your instructor. This time will be spent prepping the plane, covering newflight training theories, and reviewing material.Lo c ation , locati on , loc at i onInstructor and airplane costs vary depending on where you are located. Check withlocal flight schools to get an estimate of airplane rental and instructor rates, andcalculate your budget accordingly.F o r a list of fli g ht s c hool s a n d i n st r u c to r snear you, uctor18

f l i g h t t r a i n i ng : t h e n u t s & bo lt sMak e a n estimateUse this formula to calculate your flight training cost. Don’t hesitate to ask your flightschool or instructor for an estimate.Remember, often your instructor will cover important skills and techniques on the groundbefore and after each flight. Most instructors include this time—as well as time in the air—when calculating their billable hours.total hours in flightxairplane rate total hourswith instructorxinstructor rate flight training costBu il d your budgetSet aside room in your budget for these additional flight training costs.Examiner and test feesBooks and resourcesAviation headsetInsurance (if applicable)Simulator practice costs19

WHAT TYPES OF SCHOOLSCAN I CHOOSE FROM?As a flight student, you can choose from two types of flight schools:Par t 141 & Part 61These names refer to the parts of the federal aviation regulations (FARs) under which theschools operate.The most relevant differences between the two are structure and FAA oversight.Part 141 flight schools are periodically audited by the FAA, must have detailedFAA-approved course outlines, and are required to meet student pilot performancerates. Part 141 schools might be better for you if you prefer a more structuredenvironment or want to fly professionally.Part 61 flight schools and independent flight instructors do not have the same paperwork requirements and FAA oversight as Part 141 schools. Learning at a Part 61 schoolcan give students the flexibility to adapt flying lesson content and sequence to meet theirneeds. For this reason, many part-time students choose to enroll in Part 61 schools.The most commonly mentioned (but least important) distinction between the two is theminimum flight time required for the private pilot certificate—40 hours under Part 61,and 35 hours under Part 141. However, considering that the national average for earninga private pilot certificate is 60-75 flight hours, this difference isn’t the most importantfactor for choosing a school.Your choice of flight school depends on your goals, personal preferences, available time,location, and other factors that fit your specific needs.20

f l i g h t t r a i n i ng : t h e n u t s & bo lt sWHAT TYPES OFCERTIFICATES CAN I EARN?P r ivat eMost flight students in the United States earn a traditional private pilotcertificate. This is often referred to as “having your private.” It has the fewestlimitations and, with additional training, can be upgraded to include moreadvanced capabilities such as flying through clouds, flying an airplane with twoor more engines, or flying professionally. The minimum flight time requirementto be eligible for a private pilot certificate is 40 flight hours. Most students fly60-75 hours before testing.Rec reationalThe recreational pilot certificate is a more limited form of the private certificate.It’s a great way to earn your wings if you’ll be flying close to your home airportduring the day with no more than one passenger. It requires less time and moneyto earn than the private. Most people who start down this path eventually go onto earn the private certificate. If you become a recreational pilot, additional training and experience will allow you to easily upgrade to a private pilot certificate.The minimum flight time required to be eligible for a recreational certificate is 30hours. Like the private certificate, most students budget for more hours of flighttraining time.Spo r tThe sport pilot certificate is perfect for people who want to get back to—or startwith—the basics of flying. Sport pilots can fly a specific limited class of aircraftknown as light sport aircraft (LSA). These are smaller, lighter, less complex, oneor two-seat airplanes. Because light sport aircraft recently entered the industry,not every flight school will have them available. Sport pilots are not required tohave medical certificates. With additional training and a medical certificate, youcan easily upgrade to less restrictive certificates. The minimum flight time required to be eligible for a sport pilot certificate is 20 hours. Most students budgetfor more hours of flight training time.21

“To most pthe sky islimit. To twho lovethe sky is–A n on y m o u s

people,s thethosee aviation,s home.”23

Chart Your TrajectoryS e t yo u r p l a n s i n m o t i o n24

section 2Now that you have a sense of what theflight training journey entails, it’s timeto set your plans in motion. Use theworksheets in this section to get a senseof a training style that works for you,organize your training schedule, andbegin to share your flight trainingexperience with friends and family.25

wo r ksheetid entify i n g yourl e ar nin g st y l eAviation involves a great deal of skill and technical training. Through the course ofyour training you’ll develop the confidence, knowledge, and self-discipline required of asuccessful pilot.Take a moment to think about your work habits and learning style, so you can tackle yourtraining in a manner that’s most effective for you.t ips for successAre you better at working in a group or alone? Do you prefer to work at your own pace,or do you like having a set schedule when you learn new information? How do you bestreceive information?Think about the last time you learned a new skill—whether it was a computer programfor work or the best method for grilling a steak. Write about your learning experiencebelow. Share this sheet with your instructor as a conversation-starter about yourpreferred learning methods.Th e last new ski l l I l ea r n ed was .How did you learn this skill?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Did you enjoy learning in this way? Why?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .What resources do you wish you had access to during this experience? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

set your plans in motionbe h o n estBe honest with yourself about your schedule and limitations—and then focus onareas where you can make small changes to fit aviation into your life. Maybe you planmid-week flight lessons one evening a week. Maybe you devote 30 minutes of your TVtime to studying course material instead. Whatever you do, remember that all of thesesmall changes accomplish a much larger dream.Write down some small ways you can fit aviation into your life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sh are the ex perien c eTell your friends and family about your flight training goals and experiences. Announcingyour milestones to the world will help keep you accountable and motivate you.Write down the names of people you’d like to share this experience with—or tell yourentire social media network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

start it off rightTake a look at your weekly schedule and find a consistent time that will workfor your flight training lessons. (It’s often possible to schedule morning or eveninglessons during the week.)Discuss this plan with your family or significant other. Once you’ve chosen a goodtime for your training, share your calendar with your flight instructor to ensure that yourschedules line up. Keep in mind that the weather will constantly play a factor in yourability to fly. It’s often a good idea to schedule additional flight lessons, knowing thatsometimes you’ll be “weathered out” and will have to cancel a flight.Pl an Ahea dBe mindful of upcoming events or time commitments that might interfere with your flighttraining, and think about how you can plan around these commitments.Upcoming events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Int roductory fl i g ht sc hed ul ed for . .28

set your plans in motionsatSunmontuewedthufri29

SAFETY STANDARDSCompared to automobiles, general aviation—defined as all kinds of flying exceptfor the airlines and military—has about one-tenth as many accidents on a per-vehicle-milebasis, and the accident rate has dropped steadily since 1980. There are several reasonsfor this stellar safety record. Training for a pilot certificate is much more rigorous thanit is for a driver’s license. Mandatory ground and flight training, along with writtenand practical tests, ensure pilots have achieved a basic level of proficiency. Periodic,recurrent training helps maintain and improve skills so pilots are safe in the air.30

set your plans in motionmo ney matters“When I came back to flyingafter 38 years, I had some moneyset aside and I had a plan. First theknowledge test. If I wouldn’t studyfor that this time around, no flying.After I passed the test, I searcheddiligently for the cheapest plane inmy area—a Cessna 152. (Thankfully,the plane is owned by one of thebest CFIs in town!) I use flightsimulator software betweenlessons to practice whateverI’m learning.”–R e g i n a Co k e r“I budget a certain amount monthly.This enables me to complete myprivate pilot certificate in whatevertime it takes, and allows me tocontinue flying thereafter.”–B re tt Spr i n g a l l31

wo r ksheetOppor t un i t i e sfor G r ow t hYou’ll finish your flight training with more than a pilot certificate. You’ll have a greaterunderstanding of yourself and your capabilities. This is because flight training challengesand inspires each student in a different way.Take a minute to explore the areas in which you’d like to grow through flight training.Which of the challenges below resonate with you? Mark the areas you’d like to focus on,and then share this sheet with your flight instructor or flight school operator.I’m concerned about the amount of time flight training takes.I’m worried about the cost of flight training.Heights make me nervous.I think I might make a mistake or get lost when I’m flying.I’m nervous about speaking on the radio.Math isn’t my strongest suit.I’m concerned that I won’t be able to finish training once I start.I’m afraid of flying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fo r more reading a bout n at ur a l f ea r s r e l ate dto f light, 32

set your plans in motion“My favorite aviation activityis planning for a cross-countryflight. It covers all aspects offlight, from the romanticdaydreaming of where youwant to fly, to the practicalcalculations of fuel, distance,and aircraft performance.It takes you out of yourcomfort zone; it forces youto plan ahead, work withother pilots in unfamiliarairspace, and each flight istruly an adventure.”–A me l ia R os e E a r h a rt33

MEET YOUR MATCHC h o os i n g a f l i g h t s c h o o l a n d i n st r u c to rt h at w o r k f o r yo u34

section 3As a student, you have control over twoof the most important factors in your flighttraining experience: you get to chooseyour flight school and flight instructor.Where you learn plays an important role in your overall training experience,satisfaction, and success as a pilot. Like any major investment, the best way tomake an informed decision is by doing some comparison shopping.Whether you choose to learn from an independent flight instructor at your localairport or instructor at a flight school, your seach should involve the same array ofquestions. The worksheets in this section are designed to help you choose a schooland an instructor that are right for you.35

“A mile ofroad willtake youa mile, buta mile ofrunway cantake youanywhere.”–ano nym o us36

choose a school & instructorHow to use these wor ksheetsEngage, Your WayC hoos e W i s e lyDepending on where you live, you mighthave many options for flight training—orjust a few. No matter what your situationis, make sure you investigate your options.In addition to assessing your instructor’sexperience, it’s important to get a senseof his or her passions, technique, andinstructor philosophy. Through thisprocess of careful comparison, you canselect someone who matches yourpersonality, as well as your needs.Co mpare & Con trastK eep i t OpenIt’s okay if a school or instructor doesn’tfulfill every single requirement orcheckbox. By using these worksheetsyou’ll know what to ask, understand howto compare your options, and learn whatmatters most to you.As you continue through your training,you can change instructors, and evenschools, if you feel that you’re not gettingwhat you need from your training.Fo r a list of fligh t sc hool s n ea r you, v i s i r37

flight school 1c hoosi n g a f l i gh t s c h o o lA i r p o rtlocati ondi stanc e f rom h ome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Timing & CostsHow many hours does it usually taketo complete flight training at your school?.What is the estimated cost of completing pilot certification?. .Is this estimate based on FAAminimum hours or your school’s average?.How many flight instructors does yourCan you tell me about their experienceschool have?. and personalities?.I nst r uc to r n a m enotes. . . . . . . . . . . .

Student Pilot Certificate (Medical Exam) As a prerequisite for solo flight, students pursuing a private pilot certificate must pass a basic medical exam which also serves as their student pilot certificate. Students pursuing a sport pilot certifcate don’t need to pass the medical exam.