| nce the Wright brothers made their historic takeoff, | | | | incorporate flying into your lifestyle, for business or |
| people have dreamed of flying a plane. Today, 104 | | | | recreation purposes." |
| years later, there are a number of online resources | | | | Becoming a pilot is easier and more affordable than |
| available to help those aviation dreams take flight. | | | | most people think. A dedicated student can earn a |
| For example, the nonprofit Aircraft Owners and Pilots | | | | private pilot certificate in three to six months, or can |
| Association (AOPA)-the world's largest pilot | | | | spread out lessons over a year or more. A flying |
| organization-has launched a Web site called | | | | education costs from $6,000 to $9,000, depending on |
| ProjectPilot.org. The site offers short videos and a | | | | where you live and how frequently you take lessons, |
| wealth of information for prospective | | | | but typically you can pay as you go, so you don't have |
| aviators-everything from what it takes to earn your | | | | to cough up a lump sum. |
| wings to what you can do with your pilot's certificate. | | | | Once licensed, you don't have to buy an airplane in |
| To help you take that first step, the Web site offers | | | | order to fly. According to AOPA, more than half of all |
| contact information for more than 3,500 flight schools | | | | pilots rent aircraft, which can cost as little as $65 per |
| nationally. Many of those schools offer discounted | | | | hour. And you only pay for the time the engine is |
| "introductory flights," during which you'll get to actually | | | | running. |
| fly an airplane for around 30 minutes with a licensed | | | | People fly for many reasons. Family trips are fast and |
| flight instructor. Often, that first flight costs between | | | | fun by air and businesspeople can fly themselves to |
| $59 and $99. | | | | meet with far-flung clients and vendors. Many pilots |
| "The introductory flight is a great way to see if flying is | | | | simply find local flying to be a great form of relaxation, |
| something you'd like to pursue, since it puts you at the | | | | or enjoy traveling to other cities for a good meal. |
| controls right from the start," says Phil Boyer, president | | | | There are many career opportunities for pilots as well. |
| of AOPA. "You'll get to see firsthand the thrill of | | | | Taking to the sky starts with that first lesson. It may |
| learning to fly, and how you may be able to | | | | launch a new hobby or even a career. |