Requirements For Getting A Pilot License
Getting a pilot
license is a very fun and rewarding experience. There are
guidelines set by the FAA that explain what you have to do in
order to get a private pilot license. The basic requirements for
a pilot license are as follows:
Medical Certificate - You must pass the basic medical exam that
all applicants are required to undergo, certifying that you meet
the medical standards for safely operating an aircraft. More
details about the medical certificate are discussed below.
Age - You must be at least 16 years old to fly an airplane solo
(by yourself) with a student pilot certificate, and 17 years old
to get a private pilot license. There is no upper age limit,
provided that you are healthy enough to pass the basic medical
exam.
Language - As a private pilot, you have to be able to read,
speak, and understand English (the international language of
aviation).
Time - A private license requires a minimum of 40 hours of total
flight time, with the national average around 65 hours before
the final check ride, as well as extra time for study on the
ground in preparation for an FAA written test. The length of
your training depends in part on how much time you devote to it.
Concentrated full-time programs can be completed in as few as
two weeks or a month, while a part-time student typically takes
between four and six months of flying a few times a week.
Money - You can learn to fly on a budget; even still, it is not
a cheap undertaking. If you train part-time at a local airport,
for example, plan on investing in the range of $4,000 to $6,000,
with costs varying widely by region. It is a good idea to
consider whether you have the funds to start training and reach
your goal within a reasonable time period. Someone who flies a
few times a week keeps what they have just learned fresh in
their mind. Each lesson allows new topics to be introduced.
However, flying only a couple times a month may have you
relearning some of the material from the previous lesson. In
this case, not only will it take you longer (on the calendar) to
get your license, but it might take more flight training hours
to get ready for your checkride as well. But as long as you are
having fun, it will be well worth it in the end. Keep in mind
that you do not need to pay for all of your flight training up
front. Most flight schools let you pay as you go, although you
might get a price break by paying for a block of lessons in
advance. Another way to pay for your training is through
financing. When you learn to fly at a Cessna pilot center,
you're eligible for a Sallie Mae Financial Corporation
professional education loan - affordable financial aid from the
nation's leader in educational financing (www.salliemae.com).
It's easy to qualify, your rate can be as low as Prime +1%, and
you can make interest-only payments (as low as $75 per month)
until your training is complete. Generally, for students, there
is financing available through Sallie Mae Company, Pilot
Finance, and Key Bank. Many students also use local banks for
flight training loans.
Another way to reduce your costs once you have your license is
to share time with other pilots. There are many people who are
looking to fly and build time and experience. Most of the time,
it is very easy once you are a pilot to find other pilots who
will gladly share in the expense of the flight just for the
flight hours. Money is one of the largest obstacles to becoming
a pilot. That is why so many people put it at the top of their
list of questions when considering flying. You should be
concerned with the cost, but ask yourself this question: What is
it worth to you to learn to
fly safely? For me, it was well worth it.