Becoming a private pilot is a lot easier than you might think. Obtaining your pilot certificate is one of the most rewarding accomplishments you will achieve in life. Whether you are  interested in flight training as a career or just for the convenience of being able to get in an airplane and fly to Florida in a couple of hours, becoming a Pilot starts at the same place. Learn More

Three questions that come to everyone’s mind are:

What does it take to be a pilot?

What does it cost?

How long does it take?

How do I get Started?

These questions are answered below.

What it takes. . .

Becoming a licensed pilot is divided into two parts: Ground training and Flight Training. Each involves a test at the end on what you’ve learned. During your ground training you will learn such things as: principles of aircraft systems, how an airplane flies, flying in the National Airspace System, aeronautical decision making, and weather. At the end of your ground training you will be required to take a multiple choice exam for which you will be well prepared. Ground training is accomplished one of several ways. One is to attend a formal ground school much like you would a college course. The other is by using a DVD or CD-ROM course in the comfort of your own home.

During the Flight training, you will develop skills necessary to operate an airplane safely on you own. Flight training is accomplished with your instructor on a one-on-one basis. Your flight instructor will become your mentor guiding you through the flight-training syllabus. At the end of your flight training you will be required to take what is known as a Practical Test or “Check Ride.” Before taking your check ride you will have recorded a minimum of the following flight time:

40 hours which consists of at least:

Dual
20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

• 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 at least:
  • 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance;
  • 10 T/O's and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
• 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane.
• 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.

Solo
10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

• 5 hours of solo cross country flying;
• 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings;
• T/O's and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

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What it costs. . .

Cost is a variable on a couple of factors. The primary factor being the number of hours one takes to accomplish the flight training. While 40 hours is the minimum required, the national average is 85 hours and the average student at Aero Atlanta takes anywhere from 55-65 hours. The aircraft used is another variable to consider. Rental rates for training aircraft vary from $69/hr to $129/hr. Each having advantages and disadvantages to using. The instruction rate remains constant at $42/hr. The cost break down can figured using the cost calculator below. There is a discount for block time purchases of aircraft time. Financing is also available through low interest loans such as Sallie Mae.

View our cost calculator here!

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How long it takes. . .

How long it takes is a variable controlled by two factors, one which is out of anyone’s control and the other is completely up to you: weather and scheduling. Weather patterns are something with which you will become very familiar during your flight training. While some training can be accomplished on rainy and cloudy days, for the majority of your training, good weather is required. Scheduled lessons are sometimes not able to be kept and extend the overall training. Scheduling is a factor controlled by you, the student. If flying every day were possible, one could accomplish the training in as little as a month. In the real world of family schedules, work, and finance, the training will take more in the neighborhood of 6 months to a year. Shorter time between flight lessons shortens the training time and the opposite is true. Someone only flying once a week will take much longer.

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How do I get started. . .

So you know what it takes, how much it costs, how long it takes, and you are ready to get started. Great! The best place to start is to take what is known as a “Discovery Flight.” During this is a 30-45 minute flight you’ll get a first hand look at what flight training is all about as we let you take the controls of the aircraft and do what you never thought you could: fly a plane! From there, we’ll sit down with you and plot your course to becoming a Private Pilot!

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