| There may be no better feeling than taking to the | | | | it will cost you about $50 for the process. If you're |
| skies in your own airplane. While getting your pilot's | | | | under 40, this examination is valid for 3 years. Those |
| license can be a somewhat long and expensive | | | | of you older than 40 will have to take the exam after |
| process, it will be worth it every step of the way. And | | | | only 2 years. |
| the reward is obvious-you can fly! | | | | You will also have to pass a test for the |
| Pilot's licenses are technically known as certificates. | | | | comprehension of English. This is the International |
| The more common term is license, and we'll stick to it. | | | | language of aviation and it is vital for in-flight |
| There are different types of pilot licenses. The first | | | | communication while traveling. |
| and most common is the private license. This is the | | | | Age does play a role as you obtain your license. You |
| first step to flying. The private license allows you to fly | | | | will need to be 16 years old to get solo certificate and |
| only while obeying Visual Flight Rules (VFR). This | | | | 17 years old to get a private license. There is no upper |
| means that you can see at least three miles in front of | | | | age limit; you simply need to be in well enough health to |
| you. The private license also allows you to carry | | | | pass the AME examination. |
| passengers. You can't, however, take their money for | | | | Once you've jumped through these hoops, it's time for |
| the effort. If they're good passengers, they'll help you | | | | the fun part. You will need to spend at least 40 hours |
| with your flight costs. Fuel and aviation supplies can get | | | | in flight. Twenty of these hours need to be completed |
| pretty costly. | | | | with an air instructor on board. Another ten hours must |
| The other types of licenses are commercial | | | | be flown solo. Most students will choose to fly far |
| certificates, flight instructor certificates, and airline | | | | longer before taking their flight test. A good average is |
| transport certificates. Each license has its own | | | | about 60-80 hours. |
| acquisition process and inherent responsibilities. Above | | | | Keep in mind that this doesn't include the hours you'll |
| and beyond these, you can also add ratings for | | | | spend on the ground studying aviation manuals for |
| different aircraft and flight techniques. | | | | your written exams. |
| But it all starts with the basic private license. | | | | All in all, you're looking at spending about $3,000-$5,000 |
| There are several prerequisites for obtaining your | | | | for the necessary flight instruction and committing |
| private license. You must first pass a medical | | | | several months to the process. And once you've |
| examination by an Airman Medical Examiner (AME). | | | | completed the process, you'll have a very special gift: |
| This is a somewhat rigorous physical examination and | | | | the privilege of flight. |