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Becoming a Private Pilot

Whether you're hoping to pursue a career as a pilot, looking for a way to conduct business more efficiently, or seeking a way to make life more fulfilling, you'll most likely want to start out by getting your Private Pilot certificate.

With this certificate, you'll be able to fly anywhere in the world on business, for pleasure, or simply as a way to get from point-A to point-B quickly. You'll see sunsets of the sort that you've never seen before, and feel in touch with the geography of your home area. Becoming a Private Pilot will change you forever!

The Process

Becoming a Private Pilot is a challenging, yet rewarding, process. While the number of paths to completion seem almost endless, we've had the best success with the following process:

1. Pass a Transportation Security Administration screening. In today's security concious society, the TSA is mandating that all flight students either be a U.S. Citizen, or comply with certain security requirements. If you're a U.S. Citizen, simply bring a Passport (unexpired) or a Birth Certificate or some other form of proof of citizenship with you, and your instructor will complete the necessary paperwork. If you're not a U.S. Citizen, you will need to take further action, as required by the TSA. This may sound rigorous, but it's not if you're prepared.
2. Take a discovery flight. This, first lesson, involving about a half hour of dual instruction in an aircraft, will introduce you the the fundamentals of aircraft operations. It's a great way to see if you like flying, if you like the equipment, and if you like the staff at Sanford Air.
3. Assuming that you decide that flying is for you, the next step is to get a medical certificate and student-pilot certificate. While you don't need to get these immediately, getting them early helps keep your training from encountering unintentional delays. We have a list of local Aviation Medical Examiners, who can make this process as quick and painless as possible.

4. Private Pilot Library There are a number of good resources available to help you in your studies. These include: General Reference FAA Student Pilot Guide The Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook The Student Pilots Flight Manual Regulations and Advisories The Federal Aviation Regulations The Aeronautical Information Manual Advisory Circulars Knowledge Test Preparation Private Pilot Knowledge Test Guide Private Pilot Question Bank Sportys FAA Test Prep FAA Test Center Locations Practical Test Preparation Private Pilot Practical Test Standards If you know of other resources that you think should be included, please e-mail webmaster@sanfordair.com.

   The first serious phase of your training will involve learning to operate in and around the local airport. You'll also learn to handle abnormal situations or emergencies that may come up. There's a lot of studying involved, so be sure to hit the books, and watch the videos. At the end of this stage, you'll complete your "Pre-Solo" written exam , and solo in the aircraft.
5. The second phase of your training will involve learning to operate the aircraft between airports, at night, at controlled airports, and to a higher degree of precision. About half your time will be solo (including some cross-country flights to other airports).
6. While you're doing your flight training, you'll also need to do some "book work" learning about the aircraft, weather theory, the rules of the road, and so forth. Once you've mastered these subjects (your instructor will help you gauge your knowledge), you're ready to challeng the FAA Knowledge Test. You instructor will help you make an appointment at a testing facility. You must pass the written test before you can challenge the checkride.
7. The final phase of training will involve the "flight test preparation". By this point, we will have made you into a safe pilot. Now, we just need to ensure that you'll pass the checkride.
8. Finally, it's checkride day. To learn more about your checkride, check out our page on checkride.

An open letter from Don Martel

What are the Requirements for a Private Pilot?

The actual regulations regarding what it takes to become a Private Pilot in airplanes are written by the FAA in 14 CFR Part 61. However, we'll attempt to summarize these requirements here.

1. You must be at least 17 years of age. You can start your flight training at any time, and you can solo at 16, but you need to be 17 years old on the day of the checkride.
2. You must be able to read speak and write the English language. However, there are certain allowances for people who are unable meet this requirement due to a physical disability.
3. You must receive and log flight instruction in the subjects listed in the regulation. (That's where we come in.)
4. You must either attend a ground school course, or complete a home study program for the required knowledge. You must then pass an FAA Knowledge Test.
5. You must pass a checkride consisting of an oral portion and a flight portion.

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