Why Become a Pilot, Becoming a Pilot, Darren Smith, Flight Instructor, CFI Homepage


Home \| Login \| Schedule \| Pilot Store \| 7-Day IFR \| IFR Adventure \| Trip Reports \| Blog \| Fun \| Reviews \| Weather \| Articles \| Links \| Helicopter \| Download \| Bio

Learn to Fly!

Why Become a Pilot?

courtesy of beapilot.com

This Way Up

Maybe you've been dreaming about it since you were little. Maybe it's the ultimate challenge. Maybe it's the confidence booster that can define your life…

You've gazed into the sky and watched airplanes whisk their passengers to far away lands. It's the exhilarating sensation of flight…
Maybe you think it would take too much time, or that it was too expensive. Maybe you thought only daredevils became pilots.
Flying is easy to learn, affordable, accessible, and most importantly, safe.

It's So Simple

Learning to fly is a lot easier than people think. You don't have to become a commercial or military pilot to fly. You can be part of general aviation. Today there are thousands of people, just like you, learning to fly. They come from all walks of life and have a variety of reasons for wanting to be a pilot. Some fly to expand business opportunities. Others to explore careers in the aviation industry. Some are looking for an activity they can share with their family. Most fly for the fun of it. Whatever your reason, there are just a few basic requirements you will have to meet in order to fly solo.
Cockpit, Aerobatic Aircraft

You Must…
… be at least 16.
… speak English.
… pass a basic medical exam.
That's all. If you meet these requirements, you can fly.

Safety First

Now, let's address the issue of safety. More so than anything else, safety comes first in the general aviation industry. In fact, safety is the foundation of flight training. Today's training aircraft are engineered and built to rigid federal standards and are constantly checked to make certain they're in ship shape. Also new technology, like GPS, makes navigation safer than ever. Innovations in weather tracking radar and radio communications, combined with the world's most sophisticated and safest airspace system, make today's general aviation aircraft one of the safest vehicles ever invented.

Prepare for Take Off

Once you've made the decision, it's time to being training. Pilot training consists of both ground school and flight courses which cover flight rules and regulations, flight planning, navigation, radio procedures and weather. In order to receive your certificate, you must pass the FAA written exam (rules and regulations) and then the fun part — the flying exam. As a pilot, you choose the level of involvement you want. The more you take on, the more stringent the FAA requirements. From a recreational pilot certificate to an airline transport pilot certificate. It's up to you.

Fly Now, Buy Later

The best part is, you don't even have to own an airplane in order to fly. Instead, you can rent an airplane, much like you would rent a car, or join a “flying club” and share ownership. Costs to obtain a pilot's license vary depending on the amount of time you can devote. A recreational pilot certificate can be as low as $2500 with an average of 35 hours of flight time. A private pilot certificate will take a little more time and money - $4500. The good news is these amounts are spread out over your training.

You're in Control

Imagine flying to a nearby community for breakfast or lunch. Or taking your friends or family on a weekend getaway, traveling at more than twice the speed of a car. Flying is fun! You decide where you're going, when you want to arrive and return. And there are more than 5300 airports just waiting for your arrival.

Your Thoughts...

All content is Copyright 2002-2010 by Darren Smith. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice. This website is not a substitute for competent flight instruction. There are no representations or warranties of any kind made pertaining to this service/information and any warranty, express or implied, is excluded and disclaimed including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. Under no circumstances or theories of liability, including without limitation the negligence of any party, contract, warranty or strict liability in tort, shall the website creator/author or any of its affiliated or related organizations be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages as a result of the use of, or the inability to use, any information provided through this service even if advised of the possibility of such damages. For more information about this website, including the privacy policy, see about this website.

Site Map

Why Become a Pilot?

Your Thoughts...