| Many people have a hidden desire to learn to fly | | | | include very thorough required training (and re-training), |
| airplanes. This may be to travel more conveniently, to | | | | demanding aircraft build specs, and new technology |
| volunteer as a pilot, or maybe for career reasons. | | | | for cockpit instruments.3) Flight TrainingPilot training |
| Here is some information to get you started.1) Minimum | | | | consists of both ground and flight school. On the |
| RequirementsIn the U.S., these are the Federal Aviation | | | | agenda are: rules and regulations, flight planning, how to |
| Administration (FAA) requirements for obtaining a pilot's | | | | navigate, use the radio, and understanding weather. To |
| license:(a) Minimum age: 17 years. | | | | earn your certificate, you must pass the FAA written |
| (b) Language: must be able to speak English. | | | | exam, as well as the flying exam, or check-ride.4) |
| (c) Must be able to pass a basic medical exam. | | | | CostsA common question for would-be pilots is: How |
| (d) Pass a written knowledge exam. | | | | much will it cost? Factors include: where you live, how |
| (e) Pass a flying exam.There are similar but varying | | | | often you fly, and the type of license. Expect to spend |
| requirements for each country: check with the | | | | around US$4,500 - $6,000 to obtain a private pilot's |
| governing aviation body for your specific | | | | certificate. This estimate is usually based on the 40 hrs |
| requirements.2) SafetyYou may have heard stories | | | | minimum of required flight time, however the U.S. |
| that flying is much safer than driving. General aviation | | | | national average is more like 65 hrs of flight time. |
| (non-airliner and non-military) flying has about ten | | | | Renting the trainer airplane is the biggest chunk of the |
| percent the number of accidents as automobiles | | | | cost, being somewhere in the range of $50 to $80 per |
| (per-vehicle-mile basis). The accident rate has actually | | | | hour.If the costs seem high, remind yourself that you're |
| been decreasing for the last 25 years.There are many | | | | learning a life-altering skill. In the long run, many people |
| reasons for this type of flying to be so safe. These | | | | find that the rewards are huge. |