No heavy questions here, this is mostly for the uninitiated interested in taking up flying
At what age can I learn to fly?
There is no minimum age to fly an aircraft. To become a private pilot, you must be 17 years of age or older. To become a glider pilot, you must be 14 or older.
Can young people fly an airplane, glider and helicopter?
Yes.
How many flight hours will it take to become a private pilot?
The FAA regulations call for a minimum of 35 or 40 hours of flight time depending on which set of FAA regulations your school is operating under.
Do not get caught up with the flight hours discussion. The average number of flight hours that a new student pilot in the United States will have is around 70 hours.
Can young people sit on a pillow to sit higher in the cockpit seat?
Yes.
What is the duration of a flight lesson?
The typical flight lesson runs around an hour. There are normally a 20-30 minute pre- and post-flight briefing with your FAA certified flight instructor. Most flight schools block their instructors in 2-hour time blocks.
What must I do to become a private pilot?
- Pass a FAA written test with a minimum grade of 70%. The test has 100 questions.
- Pass a practical test administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). This test is comprised of an oral examination coupled with a flight test.
The practical test will require you to demonstrate to the DPE that you have a good grasp on the flight maneuvers that you will perform.
What is the difference between a FAA Part 61 and 141 flight school?For the most part, there is no difference. Some flight schools operate under both Part 61 and 141. All flight schools should be using a syllabus to help both you and your flight instructor track your progress and help determine where you may need some added educational focus.
Why do Part 141 flight schools get to use the words, “FAA Approved Flight School”?Flight schools that operate under FAA Part 141 have various inspections from the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). There is more internal paperwork generated by a Part 141 flight school.
Do you become a better or safer pilot at a Part 141 flight school?All pilots who take practical flight tests must perform to a standardized set of Airman Certification Standards (ACS). These standards are the same no matter what type of flight school you have learned at.
Do you need a college degree to fly for an airline?Years ago, airline pilot applicants were required to have a college degree. Today, the regional airlines hire pilots to become First Officers (co-pilots) without a college degree. None-the-less, it is highly recommended that pilots who seek any career which requires flying an aircraft secure some type of college degree.
The reason is simple. If at some point in time a pilot cannot qualify for the FAA Part 67 Medical Certificate, they are no longer permitted to operate an aircraft for compensation. Having a fallback career is important if and when this would happen. The degree can be in any variety of categories. This will help the pilot continue to earn a living if they can no longer fly for a career.
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