Learn to Fly

So you want to learn to fly a plane? You can begin your flying lessons almost any time—you just need to know what kind of airplane you’d like to fly, and find a good place close to you that provides flight training, and fits into your schedule.

The cost to learn to fly an airplane varies, and you can choose to fly a smaller, less complex airplane in order to save money up front. However, if your goal is to buy an airplane to fly for vacation or business, you might choose to learn to fly in the airplane you want to buy.

Make It Happen

Ahhh…the smell of jet fuel in the morning! The appeal of flying a jet needs no explanation, whether you want to fly one for yourself or your business as a private pilot, or pursue a career that takes you into the flight levels—flying corporate or as an airline pilot. Flying jets generally leads to a higher salary, no matter what path you choose.

You’ll start with a private pilot’s license in a smaller airplane—even if you learn to fly a jet in the military. Then you’ll transition into a multiengine airplane—or a turboprop single or twin—before you take on your first jet type rating course. However, exceptions apply with the advent of single-engine jets.

Make It Happen

If rotor wings are your thing, you can learn to fly a helicopter in about the same amount of time it takes to learn to fly airplanes—plan to fly a few times every week for several months for the best results. With a rotorcraft rating, you can fly in and out of a lot of cool spots no airplane can—maybe not your backyard, depending on local laws—but close!

Because the price of equipment and insurance for helicopters runs a bit more than for light airplanes, the cost will be a few thousand dollars higher to get your license. However, the salary you command as a professional rotor pilot climbs higher as well—helicopter pilots seem to be forever in demand.

Make It Happen

You can become a drone pilot today—just order whatever your wallet can afford and take to the skies of your own backyard. You can watch a drone pilot tutorial online if you don't want to crash on your first flight. But there’s so much more to drone flying than that! Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and commercial drones offer a wide range of capabilities that we’re just beginning to tap into. 

So whether you’re into photography, surveying a large tract of land for real estate, agriculture, or conservation—or planning a career in the military—you can find a program at the right cost to train you hands on, from the start, on the skilled way to (remotely) fly drones.

The world of Light Sport or Ultralight aircraft offers an incredible variety of flying experiences near to where you live—at a cost that’s considerably less than learning to fly normal category airplanes. As a sport pilot, you’ll go through flight training that teaches you all of the basics on how to fly these light aircraft in about half the time it takes you to become a private pilot.

One thing to know: Light sport aircraft in the United States are roughly equivalent in size and weight to certain Ultralight aircraft in Europe. A lot of personal flying in the EU is flown from ultralight airfields using Ultralights, carrying up to two people and the fuel required. 

Make It Happen

Now that you’ve started flying lessons, you need support to help you achieve your goals. You could search for tools to enhance your flying, and apps for flight planning, watching the weather, and researching destination info. Or you can take a look at the best-in-show that we’ve gathered for you based on Flying’s experience as pilots—and professional aviation gadget testers.

You’ll want to find answers to questions you have—so we have a reference for you on regs. We can introduce you to the best flight forums out there, to help you find a mentor or an expert to assist—or as a way to meet aviation-minded friends.

And you want to have some fun along the way? We’ve got that too.

With a flight training destination in mind, you can get started. First up: to find a flight school nearest to you—one that offers the best program, whether it’s conducted under normal training regulations (Part 61) or accelerated (Part 141). Also critical: to pick the right flight instructor that meets your needs and understands your goals. That person might work within a flight school, or as an independent consultant.

Yes, it’s going to cost some cash to learn to fly, but you can figure out how much you need, and how to secure the funding to achieve success. You’ll also assess your health and physical capabilities—a wide range of people have the ability to become pilots, but it helps to know what the restrictions are so that you can plan for your future.