The Path To Becoming A Pilot

Tailwinds Academy Takes you From Start to Finish

Private Pilot Overview

If you’re interested in becoming a private pilot, you must meet certain requirements set forth by the FAA (FAR Part 61). As a private pilot you will be able to carry passengers, under Visual Flight Rules – in very general terms, that means when the visibility is good enough for you to see where you are, where you’re going and to stay away from clouds. (The regulations are quite a bit more detailed and complicated, but that’s basically it. Your training will include a complete understanding of these rules.)

Privileges and Restrictions

So, what can you do with a Private Pilot License (it’s really a certificate, but it’s okay to call it a license)

You can act as PIC (Pilot in Command) by yourself or with passengers in an airplane of the same Category and Class of aircraft that you were trained in – such as an Airplane, Single Engine, Land (ASEL). In other words, a fixed wing airplane (not a helicopter or balloon), with only one engine, which takes off and lands at an airport (not water).
The big restriction is that you cannot act as PIC carrying passenger or cargo for hire. You cannot be paid to act as PIC. There are a few very specific exceptions (if you sell airplanes you can do demo flights, etc.) which will be covered in your training.

Instrument Rating (IR) Overview

Privileges and Restrictions

To become an Instrument Rated pilot, one must meet the requirements set forth by the FAA (FAR 61.65)

An Instrument Rating (IR) attaches to your private or commercial certificate and allows a pilot to file an Instrument Flight Plan and fly in IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions), relying solely on instruments. The training is exacting and rigorous. An IR will make you a better pilot by honing all of your flying skills, from controlling the airplane to navigation, communication and weather interpretation.

Commercial Pilot Overview

Privileges and Restrictions

To become a commercial pilot, one must meet the requirement set forth by the FAA (FAR 61.121). Understanding the privileges and restrictions of a Commercial Pilot Certificate is a bit complicated. The short answer is that, under certain circumstances (this is where it gets complicated) a Commercial Pilot may receive compensation to fly. So, if you are going to get a paycheck to fly an airplane, you must have a commercial certificate. If you’re going to tow a banner up and down the coast, you’ll need to be a commercial pilot.

Flight Instructor Overview

Privileges and Restrictions

To become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) one must meet the requirement set forth by the FAA (FAR 61.121). A Flight Instructor is a teacher. They are qualified to prepare students for Private, Commercial and Instructor certificates. An added Instrument rating to the initial CFI – CFII – will allow an instructor to provide Instrument training as well. Instructors have the authority to provide a variety of endorsements. In addition to demonstrating an ability to fly and teach from the right seat, CFIs are required to study Fundamentals of Instruction.

How It Really Works

In the beginning, flight training can seem a bit confusing and it’s not uncommon for new students to ask, how does this work? For the most part, your flight training will be done one-on-one at the airport with a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor). At the same time, you’ll also need to be engaging in home study – both as a supplement to what you’re learning with your Instructor and to prepare for your Knowledge (written) test.

FAA Knowledge Prep Test

Per FAR 61.105 ALL applicants for a Private Pilot Certificate must take a Knowledge test (often referred to as the Written) – sixty multiple choice questions (A, B or C) that cover the range of material also described in FAR 61.105. Preparing for the Knowledge test is often done concurrently with flight training, however, that is not required. In fact, you can take the Knowledge test without ever setting foot in an airport.

Here is an example of a question from the Private Pilot Knowledge test:

The term “angle of attack” is defined as the angle between the

A) chord line of the wing and the relative wind.
B) airplane’s longitudinal axis and that of the air striking the airfoil.
C) airplane’s center line and the relative wind.

The correct answer is, A

There are many ways to prepare to take the tests:

Read a book
Take an online course (many companies offer these)
Attend a ground school test-prep class (these are given in a variety of settings and formats).
Work one-on-one with an instructor

In addition to citizenship requirements for flight training, there two specific requirements for taking the knowledge test:

You must be at least 15 years old.
You must have an endorsement from an instructor indicating that you have completed an appropriate course of study and are properly prepared to take the test. Most home-study programs have an automatically produced endorsement when you complete the course.

Flight Training

Per FAR 61.109 applicants for a Private Pilot Certificate must meet also meet the Flight Experience requirements as described in FAR 61.107.

Flight training is generally done one-on-one with your instructor. Each time you come to the airport for a lesson, you will meet with your instructor for one of 4 types of one-on-one lessons. Used in combination these form your training sessions:

Ground Lessons
Simulator Lessons
External Power Lessons
Flight Lesson

Hopefully, your instructor will provide you with a detailed syllabus of your training. The syllabus will outline the many skills you will need to master before you are eligible to take the flight test (checkride).

Most people take significantly longer than the FAA minimum requirements. The current average is more than 70 hours, and that’s in a basic trainer, like a Cessna or Piper. If you train in a technologically advanced airplane (like a Cirrus) you can expect it take longer. Your training schedule will also play a huge role in how long it takes to go from zero hours to your private pilot’s certificate.