I want to earn a pilot's license and was wondering if it is possible could I take, for example, the ground course in Atlanta, and the flight ours in Winston-Salem, NC. Because of where I'll be living and I believe one will be cheaper than the other. Are there any universal books that are used that I could buy beforehand? What do you think a normal rate is for the plane rental and the instructor's time? Thank you very much.
2006-12-13 16:17:12 · 7 answers · asked by Blake T 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Sure no problem in what you are asking as some have said before the ground school really helps you to pass your written exam. I used to work at a flight school that offered free private pilot ground school, and we used to have quite a few people from other schools attend.
Good Luck!
2006-12-14 02:06:39 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self-study courses are available from Sportys or King. Check to see if the local two year college offers a program. Here in PA, a few two-year colleges offer aviation programs that involve ground school each Saturday for 3 hours during the usual college semester, then you schedule flight time according to your schedule. One program is career based and the other is for a combination Private Pilot with Instrument rating. Plus, the state of PA subsidizes a portion of flight training done through a two-year school.
As a CFI myself, I don't mind teaching ground and neither do most other instructors. And you will do some ground instruction with any instructor before a checkride just to make sure your up to speed on everything. But I'd much rather you learn basics from the Kings or Sportys, as long as you properly devote yourself to study.
Instructors are about $20-$40 an hour ( we usually only see about $15/hr. of that, don't think we're getting rich off of you) and the airplane varies greatly. At my school outside of Pittsburgh, a Cessna 172 costs about $154 an hour including tax, instructor and fuel surcharge. It may be cheaper in NC, but will still cost at least $70/hour for the airplane.
Books and videos can be found anywhere, including Ebay ( under Ebay Motors, Pilot Supplies). The book for the FAA written exam gives you a good idea of what questions will be asked, just don't use it solely to study from. Oh, and get a recent version of any book you use, especially the written exam guide.
Good luck whatever you choose
2006-12-14 01:28:55 · answer #2 · answered by Andrew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Many people take weekend seminars and the test at the end. It is discouraged b/c you don't soak in the knowledge as well. Sort of reading it, then doing it applies a realistic sense of what's going on like on the job training. I would recommend the Gleim book first as a universal book b/c it has EVERY answer that COULD be asked on the test. There might be 500 questions in the book and only 10% asked but if you have a good memory, more power to ya...it gives the reason too. Instructor time these days is about $30-$40/hr. It is best to find a retired aviator doing it as a side to their retirement account for fun or a real young guy doing it to squeak by as he builds up hours on your time. Planes vary in cost for wet or dry and a small cessna 152 or a honkin' 182. For VFR license...go small b/c you don't need all the fancy equipment that an IFR pilot needs to navigate. All you need is a six-pack...you'll learn what that is later, a radio, and a window. Your first 20-25 hours will be going in circles around the airport learning how to land (touch'n'go's). Good Luck with your training!!
2006-12-13 16:29:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. i did .... i took the ground school at my local community collage, and took the flight training at my local airport...you can get the study material that you Need from your local flight school. it will help you to pass your tests, and is good at any flight school. for a 150 it will cost you from 60 to about 80 an hour, and a 172 will be about 80 an hour and up. Flight instructor time is 25 an hour and up, depending on your school.there are a lot of schools in Winston-Salem, so shop around. have fun!!
2006-12-14 02:34:27 · answer #4 · answered by randy b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure!! The two (ground and flight) don't have to be done at the same place or even at the same time.
For my instrument and commercial work, I used the King's DVDs as well as the red Gleim book at home.
As long as you can "talk the talk" when you are asked a question (from a CFI), you should be fine! And, if you can show that you have already passed several practice exams, no one would have a problem with that at all.
2006-12-14 06:03:37 · answer #5 · answered by barrych209 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, no reason why not.
There is no "transfer of credits" involved. Ground school preps you to pass the FAA written.
Plenty of folks never attend a formal ground school but use a self-study course. There are plenty of those available from a number of sources.
2006-12-13 23:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends. SOme schools allow for transfer of credits from sertain other schools, while others don't. I recomend you to go to the school at which U plan on taking your flight portion of the training, and ask if they accept credits from the one U plan on getting your ground training from
2006-12-13 17:56:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋