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List of all Articles in Aviation
Here you can browse through a list of all the article titles in this category, or maybe search for an article that you have seen before and want to read again.
If you can't find what you're looking for here then why not try our related categories section.
16 Tips to Prevent Passport Problems
Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged. What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your...
Afraid To Fly? Turn Your Fear Into Your Passion
If you have a fear of flying you probably don't understand why anyone would enjoy getting into a plane, strapping themselves in and feeling the rush of power as the plane shoots into the sky with you inside. In fact the mere thought is enough to...
How To Deal With Airport Stress
Your flights booked, and now it's airport time. Airport's can be stressful places nowadays, and these tips are designed for stress reduction... * Leave home early Airport stress starts the moment you leave home. Don't sit in traffic...
Professional tips against jet lag
First of all please notice that some explanations in my article are from a “viewpoint” of European Times. You’ll know what I mean when you read my article. AND I am German and have some misspelled words, grammar and phrases. I’m still developing...
Vacation Insurance... Saves Your Money, Time And Frustrations!
Don't forget your vacation insurance before you take off for any travel. I am very serious when it comes to insurance, I do not want to take any chances, I grew up in a family with my mother as a sole bread winner, my Dad passed away when I...
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Requirements For Getting A Pilot License
Getting a pilot
license is a very fun and rewarding experience. There are
guidelines set by the FAA that explain what you have to do in
order to get a private pilot license. The basic requirements for
a pilot license are as follows:
Medical Certificate - You must pass the basic medical exam that
all applicants are required to undergo, certifying that you meet
the medical standards for safely operating an aircraft. More
details about the medical certificate are discussed below.
Age - You must be at least 16 years old to fly an airplane solo
(by yourself) with a student pilot certificate, and 17 years old
to get a private pilot license. There is no upper age limit,
provided that you are healthy enough to pass the basic medical
exam.
Language - As a private pilot, you have to be able to read,
speak, and understand English (the international language of
aviation).
Time - A private license requires a minimum of 40 hours of total
flight time, with the national average around 65 hours before
the final check ride, as well as extra time for study on the
ground in preparation for an FAA written test. The length of
your training depends in part on how much time you devote to it.
Concentrated full-time programs can be completed in as few as
two weeks or a month, while a part-time student typically takes
between four and six months of flying a few times a week.
Money - You can learn to fly on a budget; even still, it is not
a cheap undertaking. If you train part-time at a local airport,
for example, plan on investing in the range of $4,000 to $6,000,
with costs varying widely by region. It is a good idea to
consider whether you have the funds to start training and reach
your goal within a reasonable time period. Someone who flies a
few times a week keeps what they have just learned fresh in
their mind. Each lesson allows new topics to be introduced.
However, flying only a couple times a month may have you
relearning some of the material from the previous lesson. In
this case, not only will it take you longer (on the calendar) to
get your license, but it might take more flight training hours
to get ready for your checkride as well. But as long as you are
having fun, it will be well worth it in the end. Keep in mind
that you do not need to pay for all of your flight training up
front. Most flight schools let you pay as you go, although you
might get a price break by paying for a block of lessons in
advance. Another way to pay for your training is through
financing. When you learn to fly at a Cessna pilot center,
you're eligible for a Sallie Mae Financial Corporation
professional education loan - affordable financial aid from the
nation's leader in educational financing (www.salliemae.com).
It's easy to qualify, your rate can be as low as Prime +1%, and
you can make interest-only payments (as low as $75 per month)
until your training is complete. Generally, for students, there
is financing available through Sallie Mae Company, Pilot
Finance, and Key Bank. Many students also use local banks for
flight training loans.
Another way to reduce your costs once you have your license is
to share time with other pilots. There are many people who are
looking to fly and build time and experience. Most of the time,
it is very easy once you are a pilot to find other pilots who
will gladly share in the expense of the flight just for the
flight hours. Money is one of the largest obstacles to becoming
a pilot. That is why so many people put it at the top of their
list of questions when considering flying. You should be
concerned with the cost, but ask yourself this question: What is
it worth to you to learn to
fly safely? For me, it was well worth it.
About the author:
Matt Tanner is a Flight Instructor in Atlanta, Georgia. He
shares his extensive aviation knowledge with thousands of people
each year. His students have become private pilots, aircraft
owners, flight instructors, and U.S. Air Force pilots. To learn
the best way to become a pilot, go to
http://www.privatepilotguide.com or http://www.matttanner.com
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