How Do I Become a Pilot?

Have you always wondered what it would be like to pilot a plane? Do you wonder if it would be too expensive and too time consuming? Flying Scotchman can show you just how easy becoming a pilot can be! Come experience a $99 dollar Discovery Flight with us and see for yourself what flying is really about. Give us a call and schedule a flight today!

See the flight training page for a break down of the costs associated with obtaining your private pilot license.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What will I learn?
• How long does it take?
• How much does it cost?
• What Will I Need to Learn?
• How Safe Is It?
• Are the tests tough?
• Is it difficult learning how to fly?
• What do the different ratings enable me to do?
• Who are the pilots of Flying Scotchman?
• Do I need to pass a physical?
• How does the flight school operate?
• How does training work?
• Who can benefit from our pilot training?
• What course materials do I need?

What will I learn?
•Principles of Flight
•Dead Reckoning Navigation
•Regulations
•Decision Making
•Aircraft Systems
•Radio Navigation
•Airport operations
•Aeromedical
•Aircraft Performance
•Radio Communications
•Publications
•Airspace and Charts
•Meteorology
•Test Preparation.
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How long does it take?
The Private Pilot License can be attained in as little as three months, or it can take more than a year. It depends on how much time you want to spend training. The average is between four and six months. The more frequently you fly the quicker you'll learn and the more you'll retain from lesson to lesson. A minimum of 40 flight hours is required to get your license, but the license is granted on the basis of your proficiency as a pilot. The average person would need to fly approximately 50 hours to gain the required proficiency to pass the "behind-the-wheel" test.
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How much does it cost?
If you achieve your goal in the minimum time required, you could expect to spend close to the estimate amount in our private pilot program cost breakdown. More realistically, you will take four to six months to complete the course and fly approximately 50 hours. Obviously, the more you fly, the more you retain each lesson and the less you need to repeat next time. Therefore, you will lean more quickly and you'll spend less in the process.
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What Will I Need to Learn?
To gain your Private Pilot license you will need to gain some basic knowledge of aerodynamics, the aircraft and its systems, federal aviation regulations, general operating procedures and aviation weather. Our training is organized to fit your schedule to help you master the information necessary for you to obtain your pilot certificate. No special math or science skills are required. One-on-one tutoring with your flight instructor will help you understand how this knowledge is applied to each of your flight lessons. There are two aspects to a pilot education program. You will need to learn to fly the airplane by handling the controls of the airplane yourself under the supervision of your flight instructor. With your personal instructor your will learn to take-off, land and fly cross-country. Your instructor will assist you in mastering all of the areas of knowledge needed to be a competent, safe pilot.
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How Safe Is It?
Safety is our primary concern throughout the flight training program. You have probably heard that statistically, flying is the safest means of travel. The axiom is true that the most dangerous part of any flight is the drive to the airport! More often than not, when a problem does occur, pilot error is one of the factors most likely at fault. Industry leaders agree, regardless of the size of the aircraft, from Piper Cub to Jumbo Jet, that proper training and proper procedures are the key to safe, worry-free flight. It is accepted that the most important safety feature of any aircraft is a well trained pilot. Our goal is to provide you with an enjoyable learning experience that emphasizes a long term safety conscious attitude toward the flight environment. Our flight training program is FAA certified and our aircraft are maintained to FAA standards and in accordance to manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures. Our instructors are all FAA certificated and receive continual recurrent training in the latest instructional and operational techniques. Aircraft are constructed under very rigid standards and they are continually checked to insure they are safe to fly. Aviation activities are closely regulated to insure that they maintain a very high degree of safety. Students are not permitted to fly solo until their instructor is convinced that they have obtained the skills necessary to safely operate the aircraft. A large portion of a students training is spent practicing what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. You will practice until the procedures become automatic so that in a real emergency you simply do what you were trained to do, select a good landing site and land. Please feel free to discuss your safety concerns with any of our staff.
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Are the tests tough?
To obtain a student pilot certificate, no test is required. However, before obtaining a private pilot license, a student pilot is required to pass two different tests. One is called the practical examination. Here is where a student pilot must demonstrate to an examiner that they can handle a plane safely by taking the examiner on a “check ride.” The other test is a written exam in which you will be asked questions about flying rules and regulations, the aircraft you will be flying and the details of a hypothetical flight. You will have successfully accomplished all of these tasks with your instructor before you take the actual tests. Once you have successfully completed your pilot training you will be able to participate in activities that you have only dreamed about before.
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Is it difficult learning how to fly?
Learning may not be as hard as you think . In fact, each year thousands of people from all walks of life learn to fly by obtaining their private pilot’s license. Some continue their training to get an instrument rating or additional certificates such as flight instructor, commercial pilot or even ATP (Airline Transport Pilot). However most people are content with a private pilot certificate which permits them to fly themselves and non-paying passengers virtually anywhere they want in good weather.
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What do the different ratings enable me to do?
•The Private Pilot License rating allows you to carry passengers anywhere you want in good weather.
•The Commercial License allows you to carry passengers for hire.
•The Instrument Rating enables you to fly in weather conditions that require special instruments to navigate in less that ideal weather.
•The Multi-Engine Rating enables you to fly airplanes with more than one engine.
•The Certified Flight Instructor Rating enables you to teach people to fly.
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Who are the pilots of Flying Scotchman?
Our students and renters come from all walks of life - students, teachers, business owners, police, firemen, medical professionals - young, old, male, female! All from different places, different states, different countries but bound together by the desire to experience the exhilaration of piloting an aircraft. Let us add you to our roster of flyers! We’d be glad to put you in touch with current and past students of ours, or maintenance customers, and let them tell what they like about us!
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Do I need to pass a physical?
You must hold a Third Class Medical Certificate. This is much like an annual physical from your family doctor. We will provide you with the names of doctors located in the metro area who can issue you this certificate.
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How does the flight school operate?
We are an FAA Certificated Part 61 Flight School, the highest standards for flight schools, and have a professional flight staff on call to serve your training needs. Our staff is knowledgeable, professional & experienced. We train over 40 private pilots annually and a large number of advance pilots as well. Instrument, Commercial, Flight Instructors and ATPs all learn in our advance programs. We can arrange an individual training program that will fit your needs.
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How does training work?
You will meet with an instructor who will explain the whole process to you and answer any questions you may have. They will help you obtain the materials you’ll need for training. You will arrange to meet with your instructor, at times convenient for you, to discuss your “bookwork” and to fly the aircraft. There is no need for you to attend a scheduled class. You arrange your lesson times for when they fit your schedule.
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Who can benefit from our pilot training?
Anyone with an interest in aviation can benefit from our pilot training.

What course materials do I need?
•Jeppesen Sanderson Textbook
•Training Syllabus
•Workbook & Flight Maneuvers Manual
•Federal Aviation Regulations
•Airman's Information Manual
•Slide Graphic Computer
•Skyhawk Information Manual
•FAA Written Test Book
•Pilot Logbook
•Practical Test Standards Manual
•Private Pilot Airmen Knowledge Test Questionnaire
•Computerized Testing Supplement
•Carrying Case.
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