| Getting a pilot license is a very fun and rewarding | | | | fresh in their mind. Each lesson allows new topics to |
| experience. There are guidelines set by the FAA that | | | | be introduced. However, flying only a couple times a |
| explain what you have to do in order to get a private | | | | month may have you relearning some of the material |
| pilot license. The basic requirements for a pilot license | | | | from the previous lesson. In this case, not only will it |
| are as follows: | | | | take you longer (on the calendar) to get your license, |
| Medical Certificate – You must pass the basic | | | | but it might take more flight training hours to get ready |
| medical exam that all applicants are required to | | | | for your checkride as well. But as long as you are |
| undergo, certifying that you meet the medical | | | | having fun, it will be well worth it in the end. Keep in |
| standards for safely operating an aircraft. More details | | | | mind that you do not need to pay for all of your flight |
| about the medical certificate are discussed below. | | | | training up front. Most flight schools let you pay as you |
| Age – You must be at least 16 years old to fly | | | | go, although you might get a price break by paying for |
| an airplane solo (by yourself) with a student pilot | | | | a block of lessons in advance. Another way to pay |
| certificate, and 17 years old to get a private pilot | | | | for your training is through financing. When you learn to |
| license. There is no upper age limit, provided that you | | | | fly at a Cessna pilot center, you're eligible for a Sallie |
| are healthy enough to pass the basic medical exam. | | | | Mae Financial Corporation professional education loan |
| Language – As a private pilot, you have to be | | | | – affordable financial aid from the nation's leader |
| able to read, speak, and understand English (the | | | | in educational financing ( It's easy to qualify, your rate |
| international language of aviation). | | | | can be as low as Prime +1%, and you can make |
| Time – A private license requires a minimum of | | | | interest-only payments (as low as $75 per month) until |
| 40 hours of total flight time, with the national average | | | | your training is complete. Generally, for students, there |
| around 65 hours before the final check ride, as well as | | | | is financing available through Sallie Mae Company, Pilot |
| extra time for study on the ground in preparation for | | | | Finance, and Key Bank. Many students also use local |
| an FAA written test. The length of your training | | | | banks for flight training loans. |
| depends in part on how much time you devote to it. | | | | Another way to reduce your costs once you have |
| Concentrated full-time programs can be completed in | | | | your license is to share time with other pilots. There |
| as few as two weeks or a month, while a part-time | | | | are many people who are looking to fly and build time |
| student typically takes between four and six months | | | | and experience. Most of the time, it is very easy once |
| of flying a few times a week. | | | | you are a pilot to find other pilots who will gladly share |
| Money – You can learn to fly [ on a budget even | | | | in the expense of the flight just for the flight hours. |
| still, it is not a cheap undertaking. If you train part-time | | | | Money is one of the largest obstacles to becoming a |
| at a local airport, for example, plan on investing in the | | | | pilot. That is why so many people put it at the top of |
| range of $4,000 to $6,000, with costs varying widely | | | | their list of questions when considering flying. You |
| by region. It is a good idea to consider whether you | | | | should be concerned with the cost, but ask yourself |
| have the funds to start training and reach your goal | | | | this question: What is it worth to you to learn to fly |
| within a reasonable time period. Someone who flies a | | | | safely? For me, it was well worth it. |
| few times a week keeps what they have just learned | | | | |