 Pilot Training FAQ
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Q: How do I earn a private pilot certificate?
A: You must meet and complete a series of requirements mandated by the FAA to earn Private Pilot Certification, including:
- Basic Qualifications – You must be at least 17 years of age, meet certain medical standards, and be able to fluently speak, read, and write in English. Note: although a student pilot must be 16 before flying solo (Student Pilot Certificate), and 17 to be fully certified, it is not uncommon for students begin flying lessons as early as 14 years of age.
- Knowledge Requirements – You must pass a written examination that demonstrates your fundamental understanding of aviation-related topics such as meteorology, airspace, navigation, and aircraft systems.
- "In-Air" Training Requirements – You must complete a minimum of 40 hours combined of dual (flights with an instructor) and solo flying time sessions. These sessions must encompass a variety of flying skills and conditions such as night, navigation, and instrument training.
- Proficiency Requirements – You must demonstrate safe and proficient skill in performing a number of basic flying maneuvers (everything from takeoff and landings to cross-country flying). The FAA requires you to pass a comprehensive practical test before awarding you a private pilot certificate.
Q: Am I too old to be certified?
A: Nope! There is nothing in FAA regulations concerning maximum allowable age to pilot an aircraft. In fact, as long as you are in good general health, advancing years have little to do with a person's ability to fly safely.
A pilot's license does not expire based on age. While commercial airline operations do require pilots to retire at a certain point, even those pilots can continue flying in other private or busines operations long past their "airline" retirement age.
Q: Will I need a medical examination?
A: Yes. Although you don't need one to start lessons, you will require a basic medical examination before you can solo. A medical exam must be performed by an FAA designated physician, and is required every two to three years to maintain your private pilot certification status. It is a routine examination and is designed to ensure that the applicant has no physical or medical problems that would interfere with his/her ability to safely fly an airplane.
In order to solo, a person must obtain the medical exam and a student pilot certificate. We will be happy to provide you with a list of examiners in your area.
Q: How long will it take to earn my private pilot certificate?
A: While Government regulations are very specific about minimum requirements to receive a private pilot's certificate (40 hours minimum "in-air" flight training time), the average US student logs 65-75 flight hours before taking their flight test with an FAA designated examiner. The typical student schedule is to fly once or twice per week for about 1.5 hours per lesson, and so it usually takes about 6-12 months to fully complete the training.
This does not include the hours it takes to study the information and procedures necessary to pass the written exam.
While the student's aptitude and weather can certainly impact the training timetable, the greatest factor is the frequency of the lessons. For example, if you take 2-3 lessons per week, you will typically require fewer aggregate flight hours than a student who only flies once per month. Since you will be learning at a more consistent rate, you will be retaining your skills better than if you flew less frequently. Hence, it is possible you may be able to complete your training in several weeks.
It's all up to you - and your schedule.
Q: When can I fly solo?
A: Your certified flight instructor (CFI) will carefully monitor your progress and, once you are both comfortable with your performance, the CFI will clear you to begin "solo" flights under his/her supervision. During solo flights you will fly the aircraft without anyone else on board - not even the instructor. Your first solo typically includes three take-offs and landings, and generally occurs within the first 25 hours of training.
Q: What is involved in training for the private pilot certificate?
A: FlightGest Training will assign an FAA Certified Flight Instructor to assist you in completing the various requirements necessary to earn your Private Pilot certificate. Our staff uses the Cessna Multimedia Training System (CMTS) program to conduct flying training. This syllabus provides an organized and efficient way for you to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe and proficient pilot.
Q: What is the Cessna Multimedia Training System (CMTS) program?
A: Cessna has designed a comprehensive private pilot training program together with King Schools, the leader in aviation training. The “Cleared for Takeoff” program combines CD-ROM labs with a syllabus of 24 individual flights in a building-block approach to training. You complete specified labs on your own before each flight. These labs prepare you for the particular maneuvers you will do during each training flight, reinforcing what you learn and allowing you to get the most out of each lesson. The labs also provide you the basic knowledge the FAA expects you to acquire for your knowledge and practical tests.
While CMTS is a structured program, we still have the flexibility to adapt each lesson to the specific needs of each individual student.
Q: Why Cessna?
A: Cessna has been the industry leader in general aviation for years. As a Cessna Pilot Center (CPC), FlightGest Training is committed to the highest standards of excellence. Our training fleet includes brand new state-of-the-art Cessna 172 aircraft, featuring the latest technological advances in avionics and equipment, including GPS with moving map and autopilot and the "Glass Cockpit" which rivals features found in most commercial aircraft.
You will learn how to fly technically advanced aircraft from day one. Our instructors are highly experienced pilots following a curriculum specially developed by The Cessna Aircraft Corporation. This helps you master the material in an organized and enjoyable manner.
Q: Why FlightGest Training?
A: There are a number of advantages by engaging FlightGest Training as your pilot instruction team:
- We are proud of our staff of highly professional, enthusiastic, (and downright friendly) full-time FAA certified flight instructors who can train students for any single-engine rating from private pilot to flight instructor. Our large training staff allows us to handle most everyone’s unique work and family schedules, including weekdays, nights, and weekends. Our goal is to see you achieve your goals, and we will work with you to help you obtain them.
- A fully automated online system for scheduling and tracking flying training. Students can access the flightgesttraining.com website 24 hours a day to schedule their instructors and aircraft. The system also provides useful online tools for planning flights.
- New Cessna 172 aircraft, featuring the latest technological advances. We presently have a fleet of three new C-172S Nav III aircraft with the “glass-cockpit” and one C-172R.
- A full-service pilot shop, carrying all of your flying needs, located onsite.
FlightGest is located at the Raleigh-Durham (RDU), North Carolina airport - a quick drive from anywhere in the Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill area. In addition to the convenient location, operating from RDU allows FlightGest to train in moderately busy airspace. Our graduates are especially adept at using the radios and in handling clearances: skills that give them confidence to operate in any airspace. Plus because of the air traffic volume, superior safety practices are in place and vigorously applied 24/7/365.
Q: What can I do after I earn my private pilot's certificate?
A: Once you pass the practical exam for the private pilot certificate, you are an official pilot! You may now carry passengers (and share plane rental expenses with them) and fly anywhere in the United States, as long as the weather is good enough for visual flight conditions.
Q: HOW DO I GET STARTED?
A: Schedule Your First Lesson! Click Here to request access to our online scheduling system, or just call us at 919.840.4444 and we'll schedule your first lesson over the phone.
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