Common Flight Training Questions

What's involved in learning to fly?

Learning to fly is a commitment of both time and expense.  But the rewards are great, and I will work with you to minimize your expenses as much as possible.  Your training will be efficient, effective, positive, and fun, with an emphasis on safety.  I want to help my flight students develop into skillful, confident, and knowledgeable pilots. 

As a student pilot, you will go through three stages:

• Presolo:  You'll learn about the basics of flying, including climbs and descents, turns, ground reference maneuvers, emergency procedures, and takeoffs and landings.
• Postsolo:  You'll practice flying to other local airports on your own.  And, you'll begin to learn specialty takeoffs and landings for short and soft fields.
• Cross country:  You'll learn about planning and flying a cross country flight.  You'll fly cross country trips both with your instructor and solo.

What are the requirements to be a pilot?   

•  You'll have to take an FAA medical exam.  We'll make sure you can qualify for the medical certificate before starting flight training.
• You'll have to pass an FAA written exam.  
• Your flight training will consist of at least
  • 40 hours of flying time
  • 3 hours of night flying
  • 3 hours of training to fly cross-country trips
  • 5 hours of solo flight
  • 3 hours of training to fly by instruments
• When your training is completed, you will take a practical exam with an FAA examiner to demonstrate your new knowledge and flying skills.
• Aside from learning how to fly the airplane, you'll also be learning about weather, FAA regulations, how to navigate, how to get around on an airport, how to talk on the radio, and emergency procedures.

The above is a list of minimum requirements for a private pilot.  It's often not possible for a student pilot to gain full competence and confidence by doing the minimum.  I'll train you to exceed the minimum qualifications.

How much will it cost?

Generally, a trainer airplane rental will cost between $60 to $130 per hour.  The newer and more advanced the airplane, the higher the cost.  If you're just getting started, there's no advantage to flying a more expensive airplane.  The most economical airplanes seat just two people and can be rented around the lower part of that range.  If you want to fly larger and more complex airplanes, you can expect to pay near the top of the range.  Some airplanes are quite expensive and can cost up to $250 per hour to rent, but those airplanes are very fast and have very advanced avionics.  If you're just starting out, it's best to start small. 

You'll also have to purchase books and study materials (possibly up $200-$300), and there will be additional fees for your medical exam (less than $100), written exam (about $80), and checkride ($200 - $300, depending on the examiner).  You may also want to buy an aviation headset ($150-$1,000, believe it or not).  Costs in this "miscellaneous" category are more controllable, but they can still add up to a several hundred dollars.

On top of the airplane rental, a flight instructor will usually charge something between $30 and $60 per hour, depending on the type of instruction.  More advanced training will typically cost more.  Keep in mind that the flight instructor doesn't just charge for time in the air -- for each lesson, you'll have preflight and postflight discussions, and you'll also be charged for this time on the ground.  You are required by the FAA to fly at least 40 hours before you can get a pilot's license, but most people end up flying 50-55 hours.  A good estimate for a private pilot license in the Minneapolis area is between $5,000 to $7,000.

How can I minimize my costs?

There are several things you can do.  First, study.  The more you understand about the upcoming flight lesson, the less time your instructor will have to spend going over it during the preflight briefing.  And being prepared, with a good understanding of what is to be accomplished during the lesson, will shorten the number of flight hours you'll need. 

Second, as I said before, rent a cheap airplane.  The kind of airplane you fly isn't all that important during your private pilot training.  If a small two-seater is available and cheap to rent, you're not losing out on anything by using that airplane. 

Third, fly regularly.  Two or three times a week works well for many people.  If your flight lessons are too intermittent, you'll tend to forget what you learned in previous lessons, and more flight time will be spent relearning.

What some common motivations for earning a pilot's license? 

To fly your family to vacation spots?  To pursue a career in aviation?  To further your business?  For fun and adventure?  For the personal challenge?  The answer to this question will help me tailor your flight instruction.  If you don't know, that's ok, too.  And goals often change as people gain experience.

What kind of airplane should I fly?

Unless you own your own airplane, your options depend on the flight school you use.  New flight students usually have a choice of Cessna or Piper aircraft.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of airplane, and no one airplane is a definite best choice.  It really comes down to personal preference -- your instructor can help you understand the differences between airplanes and what factors to consider when choosing which airplane to fly.

How do I choose a flight instructor?

All flight instructors are certified by the FAA, and we've all been held to the same certification standards.  Beyond that, your flight instructor should be someone who cares about your training, and he or she must be a good communicator.  Each student is slightly different, and no two people learn exactly the same way.  A good instructor should be able to tailor his or her teaching style as needed.  In return, your job is to make sure you communicate your goals to your instructor and be sure to always let him or her know if you have any concerns.   It's a good idea to interview several instructors before you choose one -- you'll be spending a lot of time with each other!  And it's perfectly acceptable to change instructors if it's not working out with your current instructor.   A flight instructor is providing a service to you, and we understand as professionals that someone else may be better suited for your individual flight training needs.