You will be laying a strong foundation for your career by getting trained as a pilot. According to the projections of ALPL, there will be a threefold increase in the demand for pilots by the year 2035. Since most of the opportunities will be abroad, you must be prepared to work anywhere in the world. There are a number of schools where you can get trained as a pilot.
A key step in this process is to locate the appropriate flight school for you. We're giving you important guidelines if you're a student from other nations like Columbia, Bolivia, or Korea. Go to the school you're interested in to find out in person if you like the teachers and the students. Also make sure to see the maintenance hangar because it will tell you how the school operates. It needs to be clean and tidy with mechanics who are proud of the work they do. You can take further steps once you feel comfortable with everything.
Flight schools have two 'flavors', Part 61 and Part 141, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under which they run. The most common and least needed distinction between them is the minimum flight time required for the private pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license)-40 hours under Part 61, and 35 hours under Part 141. Considering that the national average for earning a private pilot certificate is 60-75 hours (how long you'll take will depend on your ability and flying frequency), this difference isn't important for initial pilot training. It does make a difference to commercial pilot applicants: Part 61 requires 250 hours, and Part 141 requires 190. What differentiates the two is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are periodically audited by the FAA and must have detailed, FAA-approved course outlines and meet student pilot performance rates. Part 61 schools don't have the same paperwork and accountability requirements. Learning under Part 61 rules can often give students the flexibility to rearrange flying lesson content and sequence to meet their needs, which can be of benefit to part-time students. Many Part 141 schools also train students under Part 61 rules.
It is important to select a notable flight instructor, because your life depends on what they instruct. Do not feel awkward asking about an instructors experience and training. You may want to ask what the average flight time is and what the pass/fail rate is among the instructors. (A pass rate of 100 percent doesn't indicate good instruction.) You may also want to alk to some of the other students at the school to ask about their flight instructors. Your primary instructor should be at least a certificated flight instructor (CFI). Ensure that your instrument instructor has an instrument instructor rating (CFII). Instrument training received from a non-rated instructor can cause problems when it comes to meeting FAA requirements.
A good way to get acquainted with your flight instructor is to take an introductory flying lesson (not just a demonstration ride). During your lesson, assess your instructor's attitude. Only you can determine what personality best fits yours, but you want an instructor who expects perfection, who will work with you until it's achieved, and who cares about you as a person as well as a student.
This general guidance information has been prepared by AOPA Flight Training magazine. This guide was created for people interested in learning how to fly and for helping people select aviation training programs that meet their needs. Without any experience in aviation, choosing a good flight school could be a tough task. Aviation is procedural and should not be considered for those who are impatient. If your flying a plane or even picking a school, it is important to make educated decisions because hurried decisions will most likely have negative outcomes. Lists are an important way you can ensure all procedures are followed in aviation. Without these lists, flights may not be safe. The same list making procedure can be used in choosing a good school. Another way to learn about the industry is by talking to a professional such as pilots or reading their blogs online.
In comparison with most of your current activities, learning to fly and earning your pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license) may be expensive. But keep in mind that you're investing in your education, in skills that will open new worlds and opportunities. Flying is an activity of purpose, productivity, and pleasure. It's also a never-ending learning process and as with all education, your initial pilot training provides the foundation for all that will follow. Ask the flight schools on your list if they offer Financial Aid.
Location is one of the important things to consider when looking at flight training schools. There is no better place to earn your wings than Florida. The mild climate allows for more days to log flying hours and thus get your degree sooner. The city of Ormond Beach has no congested air traffic, making it the perfect location for learning to fly.
A key step in this process is to locate the appropriate flight school for you. We're giving you important guidelines if you're a student from other nations like Columbia, Bolivia, or Korea. Go to the school you're interested in to find out in person if you like the teachers and the students. Also make sure to see the maintenance hangar because it will tell you how the school operates. It needs to be clean and tidy with mechanics who are proud of the work they do. You can take further steps once you feel comfortable with everything.
Flight schools have two 'flavors', Part 61 and Part 141, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under which they run. The most common and least needed distinction between them is the minimum flight time required for the private pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license)-40 hours under Part 61, and 35 hours under Part 141. Considering that the national average for earning a private pilot certificate is 60-75 hours (how long you'll take will depend on your ability and flying frequency), this difference isn't important for initial pilot training. It does make a difference to commercial pilot applicants: Part 61 requires 250 hours, and Part 141 requires 190. What differentiates the two is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are periodically audited by the FAA and must have detailed, FAA-approved course outlines and meet student pilot performance rates. Part 61 schools don't have the same paperwork and accountability requirements. Learning under Part 61 rules can often give students the flexibility to rearrange flying lesson content and sequence to meet their needs, which can be of benefit to part-time students. Many Part 141 schools also train students under Part 61 rules.
It is important to select a notable flight instructor, because your life depends on what they instruct. Do not feel awkward asking about an instructors experience and training. You may want to ask what the average flight time is and what the pass/fail rate is among the instructors. (A pass rate of 100 percent doesn't indicate good instruction.) You may also want to alk to some of the other students at the school to ask about their flight instructors. Your primary instructor should be at least a certificated flight instructor (CFI). Ensure that your instrument instructor has an instrument instructor rating (CFII). Instrument training received from a non-rated instructor can cause problems when it comes to meeting FAA requirements.
A good way to get acquainted with your flight instructor is to take an introductory flying lesson (not just a demonstration ride). During your lesson, assess your instructor's attitude. Only you can determine what personality best fits yours, but you want an instructor who expects perfection, who will work with you until it's achieved, and who cares about you as a person as well as a student.
This general guidance information has been prepared by AOPA Flight Training magazine. This guide was created for people interested in learning how to fly and for helping people select aviation training programs that meet their needs. Without any experience in aviation, choosing a good flight school could be a tough task. Aviation is procedural and should not be considered for those who are impatient. If your flying a plane or even picking a school, it is important to make educated decisions because hurried decisions will most likely have negative outcomes. Lists are an important way you can ensure all procedures are followed in aviation. Without these lists, flights may not be safe. The same list making procedure can be used in choosing a good school. Another way to learn about the industry is by talking to a professional such as pilots or reading their blogs online.
In comparison with most of your current activities, learning to fly and earning your pilot certificate (sometimes called a pilot license) may be expensive. But keep in mind that you're investing in your education, in skills that will open new worlds and opportunities. Flying is an activity of purpose, productivity, and pleasure. It's also a never-ending learning process and as with all education, your initial pilot training provides the foundation for all that will follow. Ask the flight schools on your list if they offer Financial Aid.
Location is one of the important things to consider when looking at flight training schools. There is no better place to earn your wings than Florida. The mild climate allows for more days to log flying hours and thus get your degree sooner. The city of Ormond Beach has no congested air traffic, making it the perfect location for learning to fly.
