Private Pilot Training
What will your flying lessons consist of and look like?
The process of learning to fly is divided into three phases;
First Phase
In the first phase of lessons you will learn about:
• Aerodynamics – how the airplane flys
• Flight controls – how the flight controls work and how
they move the airplane around on the ground and in
the air
• Maneuvers – you will learn specific flight maneuvers
• Instruments, checklist, communication, airspace, weather,
weight and balance, performance, and safety.
During each 3 hour flying lesson we will first discuss that day’s lesson
as it directly applies to flying the airplane. Then we take to the sky
where you take the controls and apply what you’ve learned.
We will practice turns, climbing and descending, and take-offs and
landings. After we fly for an hour or so, we’ll land and debrief.
When you have learned how to safely fly the airplane and feel comfortable, you’ll be ready to solo – fly the airplane completely by yourself.
Second Phase
The second phase of lessons is all about leaving your local airport and flying to other airports. Together we will take several short flights to nearby airports to prepare you for your first solo cross country flight – a solo flight to an airport more than 50 miles away.
You will also learn advanced takeoff and landing techniques such as landing or taking off from a short runway or a grass strip.
Third Phase
In this phase of lessons you will perfect your skills and fly several solo cross country flights to various airports:
• Cross country airports such as Santa Barbara, King City, Hollister, etc.
• We will also do some night and instrument flight.
• We will then review everything you have learned to prepare you for your final checkride.
CHECKRIDE
Your training is complete and you are now ready to take your checkride with an FAA Designated Examiner to earn your Private Pilots Certificate. The checkride is typically 4-5 hours and consists of discussion about regulations and everything you have learned. You will then go out and fly to demonstrate your skills.
PRIVATE PILOT
You pass…and you are now a Private Pilot…Congratulations!!! A whole new world of opportunity will open up to you.
Imagine flying to San Diego for the weekend and being there in 1.5 hr. How about Santa Barbara for lunch? Whether you are 15 or 90 years young, it might be just the right time to take Flying Lessons.
If all this sounds great, how about trying an Introductory Flight with me today! Contact me today to find out how you can start learning to fly.
What to Expect From Flight Training
Everyone starts out as a student, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. As your flight instructor, I am here to guide you through the process to achieve your goals and dreams of flying.
Student Pilot Requirements
You can start taking flying lessons at any time, as long as you can reach the rudder pedals and see out of the airplane.
After you have trained for a while with your flight instructor, you will be ready to fly the airplane by yourself, or “solo”. To do this you will need to be at least 16 years old and pass a 3rd Class medical exam given by an FAA designated doctor or an Aviation Medical Examiner, or AME. You will also have to pass a pre-solo knowledge exam and get an endorsement from your flight instructor. Then you can fly in the local area by yourself.
What’s required to get a pilot’s license?
You must be 17 years of age, and be able to read, write, and speak English fluently. The FAA requirements are 40 hours of actual flight training, but the national average is around 65-75 hours, or more.
FAA Requirements:
20 hours of dual flight instruction to include:
• 3 hours of cross-country flight to airports more than 50
miles away
• 3 hours of instrument training
• A 100 nautical mile round
trip night flight and 10 night takeoffs and landings
• 3 hours of flight instruction within 60 days prior to your
practical test
10 hours of solo flight including:
• 5 hours of cross-country flight including a 150 mile trip
• 3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with a control tower
You must also pass the private pilot knowledge test with a score
of 70% or better.
Then comes the practical test with an FAA-Designated Examiner. This will include both an oral exam and a flight test. The Practical Test Standards (PTS) gives all of the requirements.
Ground School or Online Course?
Included in your training will be some type of Ground School. This could be a formal ground school, usually once per week. Cal Poly offers a course Winter Quarter that is open to anyone (not just students accepted to the university). Or, you could purchase an online course, (such as Sporty’s Private Pilot Course, or Gleim’s Private Pilot Course), and study on your own. During ground school, you will learn all about how the airplane flies, what the flight controls do, how to read the instruments, the weight and balance of the airplane, how the airplane performs, navigation and chart reading, and of course weather. The ground school or online course are both designed to educate you as well as prepare you for the Written Test.
All of these subjects will be reinforced by your flight instructor and will be taught from a practical sense to fly the airplane.
How much do flying lessons cost, how long does it take?
The ideal schedule would be to take a flying lesson 1-2 times per week. The more often you fly, the quicker your flight training will move along, and usually less hours are needed. If you fly less, it will take longer to learn and retain the material, and will require more hours. If you fly two or three times per week, you may complete everything in 4 – 6 months. If you fly less, it could take 6 months to a year or more. But who’s in a hurry? The process of learning to fly should be just as enjoyable as actually being a pilot.
If you are shopping prices for flying lessons, be sure to compare apples to apples. Many schools or clubs will quote you a cost based on the minimum 40 hours required by the FAA. This will not likely be realistic.
You should budget a minimum of $15k for flight training, depending on how often you will be taking flying lessons per week.
A good way to benefit the most from your flying lessons with your flight instructor is to be as prepared as possible. Consider taking a ground school, available at Cal Poly’s Mustang Aviation Club, and/or purchasing and utilizing Sporty’s Private Pilot Course concurrently with your flight training.