Learning to fly and obtaining a pilot certificate usually takes a few months, with flying lessons two or three times a week. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Key Takeaways:
Earning a private pilot certificate is a multi-month commitment typically costing $6,000-$10,000, and necessitates obtaining a medical certificate early in the process.
Training can follow either the flexible Part 61 (40-hour minimum) or structured Part 141 (35-hour minimum) regulations, though most pilots achieve their certificate around 60 hours of flight time.
Key learning involves mastering navigation with tools like the E6-B and sectionals, utilizing the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) from day one, and maintaining open communication through pre/post-flight briefings with your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
This is the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Learn to Fly Week. If you are one of those folks who always wanted to learn, this may be the time to head to the airport and take an introductory flight.
Flying is one of those things that so many people want to try—or have questions about. We answer some of those frequently asked here.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
