What is the best way to go about getting a private pilot's license?

Answer 1

Call up your local flight school and see if they offer an introductory or discovery flight. The cost of this will vary from area to area, but in the US, generally around $100 for an hour of flight time. Could be less, only way to know is to ask.

If you like the discovery flight, you need to get an aviation medical from an AME, aviation medical examiner. This place you take the discovery flight can help you with finding a local AME. You need a third class medical to begin flight training, although if you have career flying aspirations, I'd get the 2nd class. You do not need 20/20 vision, but it must be correctable to 20/20. Cost varies, again, but is usually between $50 and $100.

Another item to ask is if the flight school knows of any two year or four year colleges near you that offer a flying program. Here in Pennsylvania, a few two-year colleges offer flying programs, one for private and instrument rating for personal use, the other offering an associates degree plus zero flight time to multi-engine flight instructor with a focus on flying as a career. The State of PA also subsidizes flight training done through a two-year college. It involves going to class a few nights a week and isn't for everyone, but it is the most cost effective. This is known as a Part 141 program.

Or, you can go on your own, relying on the flight instructor and the assortment of training aids to get you through. This is known as Part 61. It's less structured (141 involves a syllabus like any other school training, 61 isn't required to use one, though most instructors do). Part 61 has different time requirement for the rating, so it may cost a bit more.

Flying is like learning any other activity. You will do well at some things and take longer on others. And, many people start to learn to fly and stop, for whatever reason. A private pilots license, done Part 61, requires a minimum for 40 hours of flight time, though most people finish in about 60-90 hours. At about $120+ an hour, it is not cheap ( again, prices vary)

The best way is to get into flying, fly a lot ( 3 times a week if you can) and study the material for the written exam at the same time so you can apply the concepts and not just memorize answers. The practical test involves an oral examination and a practical test Study hard, fly as much as you can and before you know it, you'll be a private pilot

Answer 2

SOOOOOO many different options!

I'm currently in the middle of getting my PPL... And it's a minefield out there...

If you have the money and time, I think the best bet is to go on an intensive 28 day course... That way you get flight training every day for a month before qualifying... you never have enough time to forget anything. That route is expensive however if you consider you'll need 28 days free, all your living costs and the course fees too.

You could try finding a local flying school and take a lesson once a fortnight or once a month. It takes a lot longer, but at least you can do it around work commitments and spread the costs.

Better yet, there are some flying clubs that MIGHT (a big might there) "hire" you as a general worker (cleaning planes, tyding up the ofice, making coffee etc) and pay you with lessons.

One thing you DEFINATELY should consider though is going for a scholarship... It all depends on your age and background, but you might find a scholarship that fits you and it can't help to apply... you might just get it and that will seriously cut down your costs.

You might also want to consider flying ultrlights to start with... you can get a license for those for WAY less than a "standard" PPL and the cost of keeping flying afterwards is much less too.

The only thing I would warn you about is that with all your tuition and equipment it soon adds up and once you have your PPL, you'll want to get your instrument rating... then you'll wan't aerobatic... it never ends!

Good luck, and look forward to sharing the skies with you...

Answer 3

Before I answer your question, I'd like to say to miss oracle that there is no such thing as a private pilot's license in the U.S. Secondly, unless they've changed the rules on me, you can indeed fly anything with wings using your private pilot's certificate.

Now. Can you afford a 10 to 12 thousand dollar used car? Monthly payments, and all that? If so, buy a Cessna 150. Find an instructor that you feel is right for you, and start learning to fly. The 150 burns about 6 gallons per hour and you'll need at least 40 hours, so say 50 hours. That's 300 gallons of avgas. At 3.75 per gallon, that's $1,125.00. You can find instructors for somewhere around $20 per hour and you'll need 20 hours of his/her time. That's another $400.00. Good headset for 150, books and maps,etc. another 200. That's $350.00 Grand total $1,875.00 plus the monthly payment on your plane. That shouldn't be more that about 300 per month. Say you take 6 months to get your ticket. Your monthly outlay for your certificate would be around $600 on average. You have the advantage of flying the same plane every time, not some rental in who knows what condition, and planes have "personalities" just like cars do. They're all a little different from each other. When you get your ticket, you own an airplane you can keep, trade in on something bigger, or just sell. Assuming you made an average deal when you bought and didn't break anything the plane will still be worth what you paid for it. Use a little spit and polish and you might even sell it so that your ticket is paid for and you will have gotten your pilot's certificate for free. Don't laugh, I've seen it happen. If nothing else, it's something for you to investigate and think about. Good luck.

Answer 4

Patric you have a lot of answers here and some good advice. As a private pilot , I would have to say it is not that complicated. Your introductory first lesson involves some ground study and some flight experience. This is under $100. You can pay for your lessons as you go. You could have it finished in 1 month or 2 years. There is not carriculum you HAVE to follow. It is intirely up to you. I didn't get my medical till about my 8th lesson when I knew I was going to finish my training. It was around the same time I bought my first head set.

When choosing where to go. Ask questions like what air planes they have? Do they do their own maintainance? (this would be good). I would recomend a flight school where there is a ATC (air traffic control tower) Learning to communicate on the radio was more difficult for me and most people than learning how to fly. Taking lessons at a controlled airport gives you much experience right out of the gate for busier air ports. All flight schools cost about the same because like I mentioned above it is up to you and how well you catch on as to how many lessons you will require. It is recommended for atleast 2 times a week.

Check out aopa.com they are the leaders in general aviation. Good luck Patric and you won't regret your decision. See you in the skies

Answer 5

I would say the best way to get a Private license, if thats as far as you wish to pursue it, (no commercial) would be go look in the yellow pages for airplane rental or flying lessons, that sort of thing, it will probobly lead you to an FBO where you can talk to an instructor and get going... If you stay committed and fly a few times a week, you could have it in 45-50 hours flying time, also, get your medical exam early, you will need a third class medical to fly on a Private License... You must visit an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) for this, your instructor can lead you to one of these or you can look on the FAA website... finally, I recommend buying your own headset early, you will find it much easier to get your own headset out rather than borrowing or renting one from the FBO every time you go to fly...

Answer 6

You have to go to Flight School to get the training to get licensed. You have to be licensed to be a pilot and depending on what type of airplane determines the type of license you need for its not one license to fly all.

Answer 7

www.beapilot.com

It will help you find a local airport that offers flying lessons. Just get youself in the air!

Answer 8

Take flying lessons

Answer 9

go to a flight school and speak to a flight instructor and he will tell you how you go about it

Answer 10

flight school