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Learning to fly
involves flight training, ground instruction, obtaining an FAA
medical certificate, passing a knowledge exam and a taking a
practical test with an FAA examiner.
Flight training is
provided one-on -one by an FAA Certificated Flight Instructor who
acts as your mentor throughout the process. We provide flight
training for new students in one of two entry level certificates -
Private or Recreational. The Private Pilot Certificate requires a
minimum of 40 hours of flight time including 20 hours of dual
instruction and 10 hours of solo time. The Recreational Certificate
requires 30 hours of flight time including 15 hours of dual and 3
hours of solo time. Both require you to obtain a third class FAA
student pilot medical certificate and be 16 years old to solo and 17
years old to obtain your license. We can offer some guidance as to
which certificate may best suit your needs.
Ground instruction
is included through out your training and covers subjects like
aerodynamics, weather, FAA regulations, navigation, airspace, safety
and emergency procedures, medical factors and pilot judgment and
decision making skills. The FAA requires that you take a test on
these subject areas with a grade of 70% or better. You can prepare
for this test by attending one of our ground schools,
individual study with your flight instructor or a home study course
using CD's or DVD's with some guidance by your instructor. When you
are ready to take the test, you can schedule onsite as Dominion
Aviation is an FAA designated LaserGrade testing facility. You will
also receive ground instruction during your pre and post flight
briefings with each flight lesson.
At the end of your
training you will be required to take a practical test or
"checkride" with an FAA examiner. This will include testing
on both your aeronautical knowledge and flight skills. You will be
well prepared for this checkride and will receive your Private or
Recreational License after its successful completion.
Transitional
training for GPS, GPS/MFD and/or Glass Cockpit is also provided for
current pilots who wish to enhance their knowledge and competency in
more technologically advanced aircraft. Training includes basic
simulator work for Garmin avionics followed by flight in an
appropriately equipped airplane. Contact one of our instructors for details.
How
long will it take?
This depends on
two factors, weather and scheduling. Weather of course is a factor we
cannot control. Most of your flying will be need to be done during
good weather. Having to reschedule because of bad weather can
obviously extend the length of your training. Scheduling is a factor
that you can control. The frequency of your lessons will have a
direct bearing on the number of hours it will take you to get your
license and how long your training will take. It is well established
that students who fly more frequently are better able to retain what
they learn between flights, so they need fewer lessons. If flying
every day were possible, you could probably get your license in six
to eight weeks. However, a more realistic schedule, accounting for
weather, home and work obligations and finances is six to eight months.
How much will
it cost?
Cost is variable
depending on the number of hours it takes to get your license and the
aircraft you will use for training. Although the minimum requirement
is for 40 hours of flight time, the national average is closer to
65-75 hours. The rental rates for our Diamond DA 20's are $109 per
flight hour and for our Cessna 172's, rates vary between $130 and
$135 per flight hour according to model and avionics equipment. A
fuel surcharge currently applies to aircraft rental rates. Instructor
flight and ground instruction rates are $50.00 per hour for private
pilot instruction, $55.00 per hour for instrument and advanced
instruction and $60.00 per hour in your own plane. Flight training
financing is available through Pilot Finance, Inc. It is possible to
finance from one to five lessons per week along with your ground
instruction and books. Contact us for more information on detailed
costs and the financing option.
How do I get started?
The best way to
get started is to take a Discovery Flight. You will receive 30
minutes of ground training and 30 minutes of flight training. Your
instructor will show you how to do a preflight inspection of the
aircraft and will then start the plane and let you taxi to the
runway. Your instructor will assist with the takeoff but once
airborne, you will be able to handle the controls. Afterwards, sit
down with us, ask questions and plan your course to becoming a pilot.
Your first solo
could be just weeks away!!
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