The FAA requires a student pilot to obtain a minimum of 40 hours of flight training before being eligible to become a private pilot.  However, each student's learning style, abilities and schedules are unique so it is unlikely that a student will become proficient in flying with only 40 hours of instruction.  The national average for earning a private license is 70 hours.

An important element of learning to fly is the retention of knowledge between flying lessons.  You will progress up the learning curve quicker and more efficiently if you are able to dedicate regular time to your lessons.  My recommendation is, if at all possible, to try to schedule at least two lessons per week.  However, if your schedule or the weather do not allow that, then it is certainly possible to accommodate your needs with less frequent lessons.  It will just take longer to become proficient. 

As a rule of thumb, if you are able to schedule two lessons per week then you can expect to obtain your private pilot license in three to six months.  If you can only schedule one lesson per week, your time to completion could be three to six months.  If you can only schedule two lessons per month, it will take one to two years to learn how to fly.

2.  How much will it cost for me to get my pilots license?

"Flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price."

Amelia Earhart US aviator (1897 - 1937)

The cost to obtain your pilots license is dependant upon the number of hours of instruction it takes for you to become proficient; the type of plane used for instruction; the private pilot kit and charts; medical exam cost; and the check ride exam cost.  For example:

55 hours in a Cessna 172                               $6,050.00

45 hours of flight/ground instruction                  1,575.00

Study materials (private pilot kit and charts)         350.00

FAA medical exam                                            100.00

FAA written exam                                              80.00

FAA check ride                                                250.00

Total Estimated Cost                                    $8,405.00     

3.  Where can I take flying lessons?

Most airports in Tennessee have a flight school associated with it.  However, not all flight schools are created equal.  When considering which flight school is right for you evaluate the following:

• Number and type of aircraft available for lessons
• Age and condition of the aircraft
• Is the location close to your home and work
• Compatibility with the flight instructor
• Flight school's safety record
• Flight school's insurance rating and insurance on their planes.

4.  What books and materials do I need to get my pilot license?

As a student pilot you will need several items to successfully complete your private pilot license.  You can buy these introductory items in a kit, such as Jeppesen GFD Private Pilot Kit Part 61.  This kit includes: private pilot manual, private pilot maneuver manual, FAA practice test guide, airman knowledge guide, pre-solo written exam, student slide-graphic computer, PN-1 navigation plotter, pilot log book, FAR/AIM manual and a carrier bag.  There is an equivalent type of kit for instrument rating instruction. 

Evaluate how you learn best.  Some people are quite successful learning from text books while others learn better using DVD's.  There are many books and DVD's available that may be of assistance to your learning.  I have found the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook and the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge to be good additions to my flying resource collection. 

5.  What is an accelerated private pilot course?

Some flight schools offer intensive flight lessons that promise you can learn to fly in 18 to 21 days.  The benefit is an opportunity (but no guarantee) to obtain your private pilot license in just a few weeks.  The downside is:

o        You must dedicate three solid weeks away from

          your home, family and job;

o        You will have the extra cost for housing and travel to

          the out of state flight school;

o        The weather may not cooperate so you end up

          needing more time anyway.

Attending an accelerated flight course to become an instrument rated pilot (14 days) or to obtain your commercial pilot license (7 days) may be appropriate, however, the same downsides apply.  If you are truly committed to learning to fly, we can compress your learning time while still allowing you to schedule convenient lessons and stay in the comfort of your own home.

6.  What are the requirements for getting an instrument rating?

An instrument rating allows you to fly your plane without being able to see the ground, the horizon or landmarks due to adverse meteorological conditions such as haze, rain, fog and clouds.  In other words, the pilot relies completely on the instruments to fly the plane.   An instrument rating is not a license to fly in any kind of weather.  Instead, the rating creates safer, more experienced pilots who are armed with the knowledge to help them make better in-flight and "go / no-go" decisions.  Obtaining the rating may also reduce a pilot's insurance premiums.

To get an instrument rating, a pilot must:

o        Hold at least a current Private Pilot certificate

o        Be able to read, write, speak and understand English

o        Have a third class medical certificate

o        Have logged a minimum of 50 cross-country hours as

          pilot in command

o        Complete a course of study on instrument flight

o        Log a minimum of 40 hours of instrument flight time in

          actual or simulated instrument conditions

o        Log cross-country flying in simulated or actual IFR

          conditions on federal airways or as routed by ATC,

          including one such trip of at least 250 nautical miles,

          including a different instrument approach at each

          airport

o        Pass a written and an oral test 

o        Pass a flight check with a pilot examiner.

7.     What is the cost to obtain an instrument rating?

As with any flight instruction, the cost of obtaining an instrument rating is dependant upon the time it takes a student to learn the necessary skills and knowledge.  Estimated cost is as follows:

30 hours in a Cessna 172                        $3,300.00

10 hours of PCATD                                     650.00

60 hours of flight/ground instruction           2,100.00

Instrument pilot kit and charts                     350.00

FAA medical exam                                      100.00

FAA written exam                                        80.00

FAA check ride                                          250.00

Total Estimated Cost                              $6,830.00

8.  Do I need insurance?

Most, but not all, flight schools buy insurance coverage for their airplanes.  This insurance covers damage to the plane but not liability insurance coverage for the pilot. I would recommend obtaining pilot liability insurance to protect your own personal assets from a law suit.  Personal renter insurance is available from organizations such as AOPA.