Private Pilot Certificate
Becoming a private pilot is one of the greatest feats a person will achieve in a life time. It requires dedication and a true passion for aviation. The private pilot certificate will give you the freedom to travel the skies with no limit as to how far your journey might take you - day or night. The only thing holding you back from flying those highways in the sky are a few months of hard work and a learning experience that will be unlike any you have had in the past.
Training will start with a brief introductory flight , giving you the opportunity to take the controls and view the world from a whole new perspective. From there we will set up a training schedule that works for YOU, and begin working on the various maneuvers and knowledge that will be required of you both in the air and on the ground. After about 20 to 25 hours of dual instruction you will be ready for you first solo flight! You will preflight the aircraft, request clearence from ground control, taxi to the active runway, perform an engine run-up, complete the before takeoff checklist, request clearance from tower control and have the time of your life flying an aircraft for the first time ever. It's a once in a life time expeirence!
After your first solo flight you will continue to solo on a regular basis. These flights will start to build up your confidence level and give you that reassurance that you are fully capable of becoming a pilot. We will begin to study cross country flight planning and you will get the opportunity to fly to an airport of your choice and enjoy a meal at one of the many airport restaurants. At this point you are over the hump and well on you way to becoming a pilot. All that is left is a few review flights mixed in with a couple solo flights and you will be ready for your checkride.
The checkride consist of two parts, both an oral exam and the practical exam or the flight portion of the test. The oral exam will test your knowledge on preflight preparation, preflight procedures and airport operations. The flight portion will test your ability to perform various landings, performance maneuvers, ground reference maneuvers, slow flight, stalls, unusual attitudes, emergency operations and of course your ability to navigate using pilotage and deadreckoning.
14 CFR 61.103 Eligibility Requirments
Be at least 17 years of ageBe able to read, speak, write and understand the English languagePass the required knowledge testReceive training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructorMeet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating being sought before applying for the practical testPass the practical test on the areas of operation listed in 61.107(b)Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought14 CFR 61.109 Aeronautical Experience
Must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least:3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane that includes: one cross country flight over 100 nautical miles total distance; and 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop involving a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.3 hours of training in a single engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments3 hours of flight training in preperation for the practical test in a single engine airplane which must have been performed within 2 calender months preceding the date of the test10 hours of solo flight time in a single engine airplane, consisting of at least:5 hours of solo cross country time that includes one solo cross country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance with full stop landings at a minimum of 3 points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and three takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with with an operating control tower