What do you have to do to become a pilot?

Question

I want to fly but could I study myself for cheaper and then just like take a test or do I have to have hours with an instructor or can I just rent a plane after taking a test or what. I am looking for a cheaper way to learn how to fly. Please Help Me!!!

Answer 1

(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training 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—

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;

(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;

(4) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—

(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;

(ii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three 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

(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

§ 61.105 Aeronautical knowledge.
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(a) General. A person who is applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas. (1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;

(3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;

(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;

(5) Radio communication procedures;

(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;

(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;

(9) Weight and balance computations;

(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;

(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;

(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(13) Preflight action that includes—

(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and

(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

Answer 2

You can study for the written test required for a private pilot's license by yourself and take the exam, as long as an instructor quizzes you and "signs you off" to take the test.

You can't rent a plane without an instructor until you have taken enough lessons with the instructor to fly solo - typically 5-10 hours of lessons to get there. By the time you take the flight test for your license, about half the flying will have been with an instructor and half will have been solo. You can't carry passengers until you get private pilot's license.

Answer 3

If you want to study for the Private Pilot's written exam yourself, there are plenty of great study guides out there (Gleim, Sportys, King Schools, etc.) as well as great resources on the Internet. Then, have either your flight instructor or a ground instructor sign you off to take your exam. If you're in my part of the world, I could quiz you and sign you off as I'm a ground instructor.

Good luck.

Answer 4

If you visit my 360 blog, I haven't written about the process of becoming a Private Pilot. I would suggest that you visit your local flight school and speak with a CFI about your options. Also there is a company Pilot Finance that helps aid with the cost of flight training, student loans for the aviation industry.

Answer 5

You need hours in an airplane, with an instructor. The amount of hours depends on your country. It doesn't take long, and most flight schools will give you an estimate based on fuel, rental, and instructor rates.

Answer 6

Baicly i think you need 45 hours (uk) with an insutor you can then take your exam if your insutor thinks that you are ready if not he will go over the things ytou need

I am thinking of doing this i do wish you could study at home and then take the test

Answer 7

Private license requires a number of hour of ground school (probably still 15hrs) and a number of hours of instructor flight (probably still 25 hours) - been a long time.

Answer 8

no no no no you need to got to a piloting school u need to be trained by profesionals you need to have a certain number of flight hours and to be a certain type of pilot you have to take certain test's hey i know piloting school is expensive in some ares but but if you wana do somthing and do it right the best way to go is piloting school

Answer 9

This blog will walk you through the steps neccessary in obtaining your private pilots license: http://360.yahoo.com/private_jet_charter

Good luck with the flying!

Answer 10

Learn to fly.