In the previous section I gave the strictly legal requirements and now I'd like to work through the practical aspects of learning to fly a single-engine airplane. This time, in English. ;^)

If you have any questions about this or anything else related to flying, you can eMail me at quade@usa.net.

To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must be at least 17 years of age. Usually this means that the earliest most people would start training is at about 16 and a half years. Some people do start earlier and, in fact, can fly their first solo on their 16th birthday. This however would draw out the training process over a longer period of time. More about that later.

In general, the student must also be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

The student's logbook will need to have certain endorsements in it regarding the student's readiness to take a "written" test as well as an "oral" and "practical" test by the instructor that actually taught the student. The instructor will also make sure the student has completed the flight training and has the proper experience before allowing the student to take the "practical" test.

The "oral" and "practical" tests are given by an examiner from or designated by the FAA. Generally this examiner will be a total stranger to the student and is a way to ensure that the student is really being evaluated both completely and fairly.

The things the student will need to know before he can be issued a private pilot certificate would include the following;

Federal Aviation Regulations
Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board
The "Aeronautical Information Manual" and FAA advisory circulars
Aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems
Radio communication procedures
Weather, windshear avoidance, weather reports and forecasts
Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence
Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance
Weight and balance computations
Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems
Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques
Aeronautical decision making and judgment and
Preflight action that includes --

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

The knowledge of flight that the student will need to have before he can be issued a private pilot certificate would include the following;

Preflight preparation
Preflight procedures
Airport and seaplane base operations
Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
Performance maneuvers
Ground reference maneuvers
Navigation
Slow flight and stalls
Basic instrument maneuvers
Emergency operations
Night operations and
Postflight procedures.

The actual flight experience the student will need to have before he can be issued a private pilot certificate would include the following; At least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training. The training must include at least --

3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane
3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes --

One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance and
10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
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
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
10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least --

5 hours of solo cross-country time
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
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.

Generally speaking, this can not be accomplished in the minimum amount of 40 hours required by the regulations. The national average for training time before students take their private pilot check ride is about 65 hours.

I usually break it down for a student this way;

40 to 65 hours of Cessna 172 rental at $65 per hour equals $2600 to $4225.

20 to 30 hours of instructional time at $25 per hour equals $500 to $750.

Books, charts, headsets and other misc. gear $500.

I would suggest expecting the total training costs to be a minimum of $5000. If it turns out to be less, well, that's great! One thing is clear, you do NOT want to have to be in the position to have to decide if you can afford to fly this week or have to put off an important lesson until you can afford it. It's very frustrating.

As for the time required, it all depends on how often the student flys. The more the better. Three times a week is generally considered to be optimum, but not always achievable.

Generally speaking, lessons last from 1 to 1.5 hours long. Some specific flights will be considerably longer, but they are the exception and not the rule.

If a student took only one lesson a week it might take upwards of an entire year to complete the training. Twice a week and the training might take six to nine months. Three times a week -- perhaps three to six months.

Weather can play a very large factor as well. It doesn't matter how dedicated the student is, if the weather doesn't cooperate there is absolutely no way to complete training in a specific time frame.

Also, expect to spend at least two hours on the ground in either a lesson or in preparation for each hour spent in the air flying. This can add up to a considerable amount of time.

There are some very specific instances where a flight simulator can be used instead of an actual airplane in flight for some of the time provided the simulator meets certain requirements and the instructor is giving instruction at the time.

There are also some very specific instances where, if the student lives in Alaska, the night flying requirements do not need to be met. However, the pilot will then be issued a certificate that prohibits him from flying at night. That pilot can then later receive the training and have the limitation removed.

Likewise, there are exceptions to the cross-country requirements for pilots that are based on small islands.

As a private pilot you may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft.

A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if:

The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and

The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.

A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.

A private pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft used in a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization, and for which the passengers make a donation to the organization, when the following requirements are met:

The sponsor of the airlift notifies the FAA Flight Standards District Office with jurisdiction over the area concerned at least 7 days before the event and furnishes--
A signed letter from the sponsor that shows the name of the sponsor, the purpose of the charitable event, the date and time of the event, and the location of the event; and

A photocopy of each pilot in command's pilot certificate, medical certificate, and logbook entries that show the pilot is current in accordance with Secs. 61.56 and 61.57 and has logged at least 200 hours of flight time.

The flight is conducted from a public airport that is adequate for the aircraft to be used, or from another airport that has been approved by the FAA for the operation.

No aerobatic or formation flights are conducted.

Each aircraft used for the charitable event holds a standard airworthiness certificate.

Each aircraft used for the charitable event is airworthy and complies with the applicable requirements of subpart E of part 91 of this chapter.

Each flight for the charitable event is made during day VFR conditions.

The charitable organization is an organization identified as such by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

A local, State, or Federal agency; or

An organization that conducts search and location operations.

A private pilot who is an aircraft salesman and who has at least 200 hours of logged flight time may demonstrate an aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer.

A private pilot who meets the requirements of Sec. 61.69 of this part may act as pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider.