| Think you don't have the money or the time to learn to | | | | actually get your Private Pilot License for $5k to $8k in |
| fly? Training to be a pilot can mean expensive | | | | 14 to 30 days. Choosing the right place to learn can |
| instruction fees, high gas prices and maintenance | | | | save you money, get you better instruction, and give |
| charges, and it can require many hours of flight time. | | | | you more flexibility with flight schedules. |
| But becoming a pilot doesn't have to be out of reach. | | | | 3. Become a part of the aviation community |
| By planning ahead and making strategic decisions, | | | | Get engaged in the aviation world by visiting websites |
| anyone can become a licensed pilot. Just follow these | | | | and blogs online and participating in discussions. Join the |
| steps: | | | | Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to |
| 1. Research, research, research | | | | stay informed about the latest issues affecting the |
| Many aspects of the student pilot process require you | | | | flying community. Get involved with the Experimental |
| to do your homework, and with all of the information | | | | Aviation Association (EAA), an excellent source of |
| available on the internet there is no excuse for you to | | | | information about homebuilts like the light sport aircraft |
| spend a penny more than you have to. By accessing | | | | (LSA) so popular right now. Or join a local flying club. |
| free pilot resources online (at FAA.org, for example) | | | | Networking with other aviation enthusiasts both on- |
| you will save on the cost of expensive printed | | | | and offline will create more flying opportunities. |
| materials. And if you do enough studying on your own | | | | 4. Use a flight simulator |
| you may not need to pay for ground school to pass | | | | While practice flying a real plane is ideal, it's not always |
| the pilot's test. | | | | practical. Flight simulators are a great way to keep |
| 2. Explore every option | | | | your mind in flight mode and to sharpen your aviation |
| By investigating all of the ground schools and pilot | | | | skills. Student pilots who exercise their flight skills |
| programs in your area and weighing all of the | | | | frequently using methods like flight simulators often |
| associated costs, you will get the best possible | | | | learn faster and perform better than pilots who rely |
| instruction for the least amount of money. Small, rural | | | | solely on actual flight time. |
| airports often give quality instruction and lower rates | | | | 5. Buy an older airplane |
| than bigger airports. Also, flight schools in places like | | | | Buying a brand new piston or jet aircraft is probably |
| Florida, Arizona, and Texas have good weather | | | | not financially feasible for many would-be fliers, but |
| year-round that will enable you to train two to three | | | | don't let that stop you. There is a big market for older, |
| times a week. Consistent training is crucial to making | | | | used aircraft, and with determination and discipline, |
| progress and will help you retain new skills from week | | | | anyone can save up and purchase their own plane. |
| to week. If you go to Arizona or Florida you can | | | | |