Learn to fly your own jet (plus, web exclusive content)

November 14, 2007

Airline delays among U.S. carriers have reached their worst rate in nearly 13 years. For business people, for whom time is often money, it can mean a drain on productivity, missed meetings and lost customers. For this reason, many executives are taking back control of when – and how – they get to that out-of-town meeting. They're becoming their own pilots.

ProjectPilot.org, a program of the nonprofit Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, helps business people get started toward their pilots' licenses. The program's Web site, www.projectpilot.org, offers a wealth of useful information and a database of more than 3,500 flight schools nationally, many of which offer discounted "introductory flights." During the first lesson, students actually get to taxi, take off and fly a plane under the guidance of an FAA-licensed flight instructor.

Business people gain many benefits from flying themselves: the ability to make multiple stops on a single trip, the flexibility of leaving when they please and the security of knowing whom their flying with. And only the private pilot can attend a meeting in a faraway city and be home in time to tuck the kids in at night.

And above else, business people-pilots find flying itself to be fun and relaxing, so they arrive ready to focus on the business at hand.

Web Exclusives

Here's a list of local Atlanta flight schools participating in ProjectPilot.org -

Advanced Aviation, Inc.
Aero Atlanta Flight Center
Air Atlanta Helicopters, Inc.
American Air Flight Training, Inc.
American Flyers
Astron Enterprises, Inc.
Atlanta Flight, Inc.
Atlanta Navy Flying Club
Atlanta Northside Aviation, Inc.
Aviation Atlanta
Aviation Career Enrichment
Berry Hill Airport
Cloud Dancers Aviation, Inc.
Flight School Of Gwinnett, Inc.
Pdk Flight Academy
Pinnacle Flight Training
Preferred Jet Center
Prestige Helicopters
Quality Aviation, Inc.
Skyblaze Flight Training
Skybound Aviation, Llc
Superior Flight School Inc.
Superior Flight School, Inc.

Pilot Certificates/Ratings

Student Pilot Certificate: (Applied for with the simple medical exam with an FAA-designated local physician, before a pilot can make his or her first solo flight. Not required before intro flight or initial flying lessons) Limited to supervised practice flying, student pilots may fly alone, may not carry passengers and are restricted from certain air traffic areas without additional training and instructor endorsement.
Recreational Certificate: Allows pilots to carry one passenger during daytime hours within 50 miles of their home airport after about 30 hours of the minimum 40 hours of the Private pilot curriculum. Many regard it as a stepping stone to the full privileges of the Private pilot certificate.
Private Pilot Certificate: Allows carrying passengers and the full range of standard pilot privileges. Holder may not fly for hire, although in the U.S. the pilot may share expenses with passengers, typically cutting the cost of flying to one-half or even one-quarter the cost of aircraft rental.
Instrument Rating: Equips pilots with the exacting skills needed to fly in the clouds or under conditions of reduced visibility. It is the most frequent "next step" taken by Private pilots seeking additional capabilities.
Multi-Engine Rating: Qualifies pilots to fly "twins," or airplanes with two (or more) engines. The "multi" is a necessity for pilots planning a career in aviation.
Commercial Pilot Certificate: Allows pilots to do the many jobs performed by General Aviation, including forest fire and pipeline/powerline patrol, air ambulance/Medevac, plus more well-known functions such as flight instruction, banner towing, sightseeing/air tour and air express/cargo flying.
Instructor Rating: Special training and FAA testing required to be a flight instructor to train new pilots. The "instructor route" is a traditional way to build the necessary experience and flight hours to qualify for a professional flying career.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate: A necessary requirement for airline captains and first officers, and most top jobs in corporate aviation. If you are serious about a flying career, you'll eventually earn an ATP.
Other Certificates and Endorsements: You can also earn certificates, ratings or endorsements allowing you to fly seaplanes, gliders, helicopters, retractable gear ("complex") aircraft, balloons or aircraft with tail wheel landing gear.

Source: ProjectPilot.org

Requirements for a Private Pilot Certificate

Age:
One can begin training at any age, but you must be 16 years old in order to fly solo and 17 years old to hold a Private pilot certificate.

Hours:
The Federal Aviation Administration requires a minimum of 40 hours flying time, including at least 20 hours with an instructor and a minimum of 10 hours solo practice flying. However, students often fly 50-70 hours before licensure.

Health:
Before soloing, students must take a medical exam administered by an FAA-approved local physician. Requirements:

Vision must be at least 20/40 without glasses or contacts, or correctable to 20/40, and you must be able to see red and green;
You shouldn't have a nose or throat condition that would be aggravated by flying;
You must have proper balance;
You must be able to hear a whispered voice from three feet;
You can't have any mental/neurological problems such as psychosis, alcoholism, epilepsy, unexplained loss of consciousness or any serious medical condition, although a waiver procedure allows those recovered from various conditions to fly.

Knowledge:
The prospective pilot takes a computerized FAA knowledge test (required score: at least 70 percent). To prepare, there are scheduled classes at the flight school; weekend-long "ground schools"; or home-study using DVDs, videos or computer-based training. Some schools integrate computer-based training on-site with each flying lesson.

Practical Flight Test:
The new pilot takes a two-part "checkride" in the aircraft, administered by an FAA-approved examiner. Included:

An oral quiz testing required knowledge and flight planning skills;
A 1.5-hour flight test, where you will demonstrate your ability to use the skills and knowledge you have learned.

Source: ProjectPilot.org