In 1903, when the Wright Brothers changed the world at Kitty Hawk with the first sustained airplane flight, flying was still an unattainable dream for most people. These days, however, small airplanes are plentiful and the dream of flying is within reach of anyone with the time and money to pursue a private pilot's certificate. But what exactly is such a certificate good for, and how does one go about getting one?
Tim Sudderth is a pilot and the principal stockholder of Classic Aviation, a flight training school in North Dallas, Texas. Here, he explains the benefits of a pilot's certificate and tells how to go about earning one.:
- Single engine. According to Sudderth, a private pilot's certificate will allow you to pilot a single engine aircraft pretty much anywhere you want, as long a you stay within visual flight rules.
- Passengers. You are permitted to take passengers, but they cannot be paying passengers. For that you would need a commercial license.
- Hours of training. The FAA requires 40 hours of training at a certified flight school, but Sudderth says that the national average is somewhere between 65 and 70 hours. Doing more than the minimum can make a difference, as piloting skills increase with repetition.
- Check ride. The final check ride, required for the certificate, consists of an oral exam and a flight test. Students must demonstrate proficiency with the aircraft and perform the maneuvers requested by the instructor.
- Rewards. Sudderth frequently gets notes from students who tell him that getting their private pilot's certificate is one of the most rewarding things they have ever done. So if you've always wanted to fly off into the sky, check out a nearby certified flight school and start working towards your certificate!
For more information on becoming a pilot, check out the following organizations and websites:
Classic Aviation, Inc.
www.classicav.com
The Federal Aviation Administration
www.faa.gov
National Association of Flight Instructors
www.nafinet.org
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
www.aopa.org
Student Pilot.com
www.studentpilot.com
Aeroseek Search Engine and Directory
www.aeroseek.com
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