HOW DO I GET A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE?
The first step to start you on your way to the skies is to give us a call. We will set up an appointment with one of our instructors. If you haven't flown before, or aren't sure if you want to take lessons, we offer Discovery Flight Lessons and Introductory Flights which will allow you to get a taste of what its like to fly and to take lessons. These flights are done with one of our FAA Certified Flight Instructors, so the flight time can be logged as time toward your certificate.
We prefer that our students go ahead and get their Student Pilot Certificate, which is also their medical card, before they start lessons. This keeps students from spending money for flight lessons then finding out that they have a medical condition, or are taking medication, which will prevent them from flying. We have a list of FAA approved Medical Examiners throughout the area.
Before you officially start taking lessons, we will require either an unexpired passport or an certified copy of your birth certificate, a copy of your Driver License, a Signed Rental Agreement, and a Student/Renter Data Form for your files. The Rental Agreement and the Student/Renter Data Card are available on site. If you are not a US Citizen there are additional steps required before you can start taking lessons.
Flying is a lot of fun, but getting a pilot's license requires a lot of work. Just flying around for forty hours will not allow you to have a Private Pilot Certificate, you must earn it. A prospective pilot must show not only that he/she can handle the plane safely and proficiently and that he/she knows and understands the regulations, but also that he/she knows aircraft systems, airport operations, communications, and weather information. A prospective pilot must meet all the requirements as stated in Code of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 61 Subpart E. The MINIMUM requirements are :
* forty hours of flight which includes:
* 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor
* 10 hours of solo flight time consisting of:
* 5 hours cross country time
* One solo cross country of at least 150 nautical miles
* 3 takeoff and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower
* training in the areas of operation listed in Part 61.107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)
* Receive and log ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in FAR Part 61.105 (b)
* Pass the written knowledge test on FAR Part 61.105 (b)
* Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in FAR Part 61.107 (b)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost will depend on how frequently you fly, how much you study, and which aircraft you train in. Depending on these factors, the cost of a Private Pilot Certificate can range from $6000 to $12,000. It is not necessary to prepay the entire amount. Lessons and flights are billed after each flight, and payment is due when the lesson/flight is completed. We do give a 5% discount off airplane rental to those that want to prepay $1000.00. Pilot Finance, Inc. offers flight training financing with as little as $250.00 down and monthly payments starting at $73.00. We have applications available, or you can apply online at www.pilotfinance.com. Students that are enrolled in the Utah Valley State College Global Aviation Degree Program may also qualify for Pell Grants, student loans, etc.
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours in the aircraft, 20 of that with an instructor, in addition to the ground studies. However, there are very few people that can master the art of flight in such a short time. Most people take longer, in fact the national average is somewhere closer to 70 hours. Our school's average is closer to 55 hours.
The regulations require that you perform specified maneuvers within predetermined parameters. The old axiom "Practice makes perfect" really applies in the case of flight training. To say it in a nutshell - the more frequently you fly the more you remember from one lesson to the next and the less review will be required.
The written test and the oral portion of the check ride require that you have an understanding of the regulations, know what information is required, and where to find that information. Studying on your own, either by reading the manuals, by watching training tapes (i.e. King Private Pilot Training VCR/CD/DVD Series or the Sporty's Private Pilot CD/DVD Series), and by taking practice tests, can cut down on the time required for ground instruction.
We have both the Cessna 152 and the Cessna 172 for primary training. Additionally we have a Piper Arrow for the more advanced ratings, and we expect to have both a light sport aircraft and a multi-engine aircraft within the year. Each aircraft has different rental rates, due to fuel burn, insurance premiums, and maintenance requirements.
EXAMPLES
Prices as of 8/15/2007**
Example #1
50 hours in a Cessna 152 @ 79.99 $3999.50
25 hours flight instruction 999.75
10 hours ground instruction 349.90
*Fuel surcharge 50 hrs @ $6.95 347.50
Sales Taxes @ 7% 244.97
PEGASUS TOTAL 5941.62
Additionally there is the cost of:
the medical (approx. $100.00)
the cost of your written test ($90.00),
the cost of your checkride (approx $300.00)
and pilot supplies:
headset ($100-$900)
sectional charts
Private Pilot Kit
etc. (avg. supply cost $600.00)
PEGASUS TOTAL PLUS ADDITIONAL COSTS ( approx.) $7031.62
Example #2
50 HOURS IN A CESSNA 172 @ $99.99 4999.50
*45 HOURS FUEL SURCHARGE @ $11.06 497.70
25 HOURS FLIGHT INSTRUCTION @ $39.99 999.75
10 HOURS GROUND INSTRUCTION @ $34.99 349.90
SALES TAX @ 7% 314.97
PEGASUS TOTAL 7161.82
Additionally there is the cost of:
the medical (approx. $100.00)
the cost of your written test ($90.00)
the cost of your checkride (approx $300.00)
and pilot supplies:
headset ($100-$900)
sectional charts
Private Pilot Kit
etc. (avg. supply cost $600.00)
PEGASUS TOTAL PLUS ADDITIONAL COSTS ( approx.) $8251.82
* The fuel surcharge varies as our fuel price varies
**Prices are subject to change
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
That will depend on you. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time. Keep in mind this is only a minimum. We have had students complete the Private Pilot course in as little as three weeks. However, most students taking two or three lessons per week finish in about two to three months. The closer together you can take your lessons, and the more consistently, the fewer lessons will be required. We find that students taking at least two lessons per week progress most quickly.
CAN I TAKE LESSONS AND STILL KEEP MY JOB OR CONTINUE WITH OTHER CLASSES?
We are open seven days a week. Although our office hours are Monday through Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 1pm to 5pm, flight lessons can be scheduled before or after those hours. Our instructors are extremely flexible and will work with you so that you can schedule your flight time around your school/work schedule.
WHY DO WE HAVE A FUEL SURCHARGE AND HOW IS THE FUEL SURCHARGE CALCULATED?
Our rental rates were calculated based upon a fuel price of $2.61 per gallon. Rather than raise or lower the rental rate each time the fuel increases or decreases, which has been as many as three times in two weeks, we implemented the surcharge which can be more easily fluctuated. As of 10/27/2007 fuel surcharge will be: $6.95 for the 152, $11.06 for the 172's, and $13.96 for the Arrow.
WE WILL BE ADDING MORE FAQ IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED PLEASE STOP BY, GIVE US A CALL AT 1-912-764-2836, OR E-MAIL US pegair@frontiernet.net.