Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: LCCajun on June 13, 2009, 08:54:31 PM
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Can anybody direct me to a website that can give me some info on getting a pilot license. I always wanted to see what I would have to do to get one. Thanks for the help <S>.
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http://www.studentpilot.com
http://www.aopa.com
Getting the license requires a lot of self study. Learning how to find answers and double checking answers you're not sure of are a huge part of the process. Google is your friend!
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You didn't list what part of the country you're in or world for that matter.
The short version for the USA:
These days between $7000-$10000
With this you'll aquire in an airplane:
Minimum of 40 hours of flight time (plan on 70) of which:
Minimum of 20 hours is dual flight instruction (plan on at 40)
Minimum of 10 hours solo (plan on 25)
3 hours checkride prep (Dual)
Checkride (1.5-2.5 hours)
You'll also require ground instruction throughout your training, an FAA knowledge test and an FAA medical certificate/student pilot certificate before you solo.
First things first:
AOPA (Airplane Owners & Pilots Association) has a good website for this:
http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/ready/index.html
Once you've taken your introductory flight lesson at your local flight school and decided you want to do it (you will!) the next step is to get a medical certificate. This will range from $80-$100 typically. Your local flight school or flying club will have instructors and other pilots who can introduce you to a "pilot friendly" Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) This link will help you locate some nearby and you can ask around to see which the locals prefer.
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/
The reason for this is you don't want to have some disqualifying condition discovered after you've invested a pretty good chunk of time/money into learning only to have to fight a battle with the FAA to have whatever condition treated to whatever acceptable standards the flight surgeons in Oklahoma City require. If you're just looking to fly for fun a Third Class is all you'll need. It's the most relax standards and limits you to personal use. Second Class and First Class medicals are required for for-hire operations which means being paid as a commercial pilot and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) respectively. The nice thing is the FAA extended the duration of the medicals from 3 years (36 calendar months. The FAA loves calendar months) for a Third Class to 5 years (60 calendar months) if under 40.
Beyond that make sure you budget for the high end of the costs. The more frequent you can fly (3 times a week would be great, twice is good and once is just okay) the faster you'll be done and the less expensive the whole process will be as you won't spend all your time relearning things from the last lesson. If you come in under budget, great!
Geographical location (City, State) will help narrow things down in terms of cost. Some places are more expensive than others as I'm sure you know. No different in aviation except the amounts are just higher :)
Enjoy! :aok