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 (www.salliemae.com). 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 http://www.privatepilotguide.com or
http://www.matttanner.com
