Become a Pilot: It's Easier Than You Think!

Are you tired of you current job or having trouble deciding what career path to take? No matter what the reason if you are thinking of a career change, consider being a pilot. The pay is great, the job is fun and in most cases one can earn their commercial pilots license in less than a year. Below is a step by step guide to becoming a pilot. First, you will need to obtain a private pilot certificate.

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE

1. Be at least 17 years old.

2. Be able to read, write and converse fluently in English (certificates with operating limitations may be available for medically related deficiencies)

3. Obtain at least a third class FAA Medical certificate

A. You must undergo a routine medical examination by a FAA certified doctor
B. Even if you have a physical handicap, medicals certificates can be issued in many cases. Once again,
limitations may be imposed depending on the nature of your disability

4. Receives and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home study guide.

A. Any local airport or flight school will have instructors about $35.00 is the going rate.
B. Almost any college will over the ground school course and it takes one semester.
C. Gleims home study course is only $99.95. The guarantee you pass the FAA knowledge or refund your money.
Gleims can be found at www.gleim.com or reach at toll free 800 874 5346

5. Pass the knowledge test a score of 70% or better. All tests are administered at FAA designated computer testing
centers. The Private Pilot test consist of 60 questions. The time limit is 2.5 hours.

A. The 60 questions are pulled from a test bank with 700 questions.
B. The test is multiple choice, with 3 options to chose from.
C. Any ground school or home based study program will give you real test questions and answers to study

6. Accumulate flying experience. Receive a total of 40 hr of flight instructions and solo flight time including

A. 20 hours of flight training from an authorized flight instructor. Including at least.

1) 3 hrs. of cross country flight to other airports
2) 3 hrs. of instrument flying
3) 3 hrs. of night flying
4) 3 hrs of practice before your check ride

B. 10 hours of solo flight time in an airplane including at least

1) 5 hours of cross country flights
2) One solo cross country flight of at least 150 total miles, with full stop landings at a minimum of three points
and with one segment of flight consisting of a straight line distance of at least 50 miles between takeoff and
landing locations

Once you have completed these steps you will be a private pilot. The minimum instruction is 40 hours, however most students require about 70 hours to receive their license. The cost of renting an airplane is usually about $75 per hour and an instructor will charge an additional $45 an hour. When you reach 125 hours you will need to take an IFR test. This is an instrument rating test that will allow you to fly in poor weather conditions. Again the test and answers are availably at any ground school. After you pass the IRF test you will need to build more time and at 250 hours will take your final test. This is your commercial test. Again the test and answers are available at any ground school. A commercial pilot can instruct students or fly for pay. Most instruct students and make around $45 an hour, until they have logged at least 1000 hours. After the pilot has at least 1000 hours. Jobs are available everywhere such as major airlines, fed ex, air-born express, and air cargo.

Since you can rent a Cessna to learn to fly for $90 and they only cost about 35 dollars to operate (this includes wear and tear cost) many people chose to buy a plane to learn to fly. Cessna's 150 model can be purchased used and ready to fly around $20,000. Many people chose to set up an interest only loan and lease the airplane to other students while learning to fly. A Cessna's engine is good for about 1800 hours. So if you buy the plane for $ 20,000, and keep it leased out the return is huge.