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Private Pilot License
When you have your Private Pilot License, you'll be able to take friends and family on trips around the country or even internationally. Typically you'll fly a rented four seat airplane that flies at speeds in the 130 to 180 mph range. You might decide to own your own airplane, though most pilots do not. You'll have access to thousands of airports around the country and will be able to take trips in a weekend that would require days of travelling by car. Perhaps most important, though, you'll have the freedom of the skies, able to take off and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and freedom of the skies whenever you choose. You'll also have set yourself apart from the majority of the population, mastered a great challenge, experienced probably the greatest adventure of all, and have become one of the few who master the skies.Private Pilot Requirements
To become a Private Pilot typically involves betwen 50 and 80 hours of flight time, some ground training, and you must pass two tests. The law requires you must have at least 35 flight hours, but passing in such a short time is fairly unusual; the national average is 75 hours, the average at Western Air Flight Academy is significantly lower. You might spend anywhere from a few months to a year to obtain the license depending on your other commitments; In the region of eight to twelve months is typical if you're working a full-time job and have a family. About two-thirds of your flight hours will be with an instructor, but part-way through your training, you will start to fly solo--entirely by yourself. The first solo flight is a great event in every pilot's career, regardless of whether that pilot becomes a military, airline, or other professional, or just flies for fun.The tests are carefully controlled for fairness and consistency, and if you're a safe and competent pilot, properly prepared by your instructor, you should pass easily. One test is a multiple choice format, while the other is a practical test, often called the "checkride." In the practical test, your examiner will ask you oral questions, and take you flying to determine if your skills are up to the required standards.
Private Pilot Costs
The cost of obtaining your Private Pilot License is made up of airplane rental, instructor time, books and other study materials, pilot supplies, and the test fees. Obviously the final cost depends heavily on how many lessons you find you need before you're ready to take the tests. Another significant variable is the airplane you decide to fly while learning. Many people choose to fly a Cessna 172 while they're pursuing a Private Pilot license, and that will typically cost $80~$100 per hour to rent. If you're light and not too tall (perhaps less than 190 lbs and under 6' tall you might choose to fly the Cessna 152 instead, which rents for about $60/hour). Expect your instructor to bill time at around $40/hour, and to bill for ground time as well as flight time. You can minimize the costs of "ground school" by studying the bookwork by yourself as much as possible and turning up to each lesson well prepared.For a reasonably realistic working budget you should consider airplane and instructor time, add perhaps $350 for books and materials, another $150~$500 for a headset (you'll probably want your own) and charts, and about $500 for the exam fees. The costs are spread over the time you take to complete your license, so typically expect to be paying this total over eight to twelve months. Budget for $8,000 to $10,000 spread over three to twelve months and you'll be well prepared financially. Financing is available from several institutions too, and I can give some pointers on where to start looking if this is an option you want to pursue.
One small warning, however, flying frequently becomes something of a passion, and you might well find yourself adding to the costs by buying more and more toys, gadgets, books, videos, magazine subscriptions and other flying related items. Of course these are all in a good cause and easy to justify, for example, that $1000 GPS system will give you turn by turn guidance while driving in an unfamiliar city too. See, it's easy to justify really--even if these extras are really quite unnecessary. You have been warned!
Your First Lesson
A first lesson is a flexible thing, your instructor will answer any questions you might have: about airplanes, about how to fly, about costs, and about what to expect for the rest of the time you're a student pilot. But rather than spend a lot of time on the ground, the main point of the first lesson will be to do some flying and get the feel for being in the air. If there's somewhere you'd like to go, ask your instructor, if it's reasonable, you can probably do that. I can offer gift and introductory flight packages. If you take any of these flights and decide to sign up with the club as a student pilot, you'll pay only $99 for that flight.You can expect to do much of the flying, but if you'd rather just go along for the ride and get the feel for what's happening, perhaps even just to decide if you like the experience, you can do that too. Your instructor will try to find out what you'd like to do, but if you have a plan then it's easier if you just say so. It's your time, it's your first flight lesson, and the only important thing is that you should enjoy it.
If you take an introductory flight with me, I will take your picture with the airplane afterwards, but why not bring your own camera too; you can take pictures from the air, perhaps of your home or other favorite landmark.