Beginner Flying Couple Questions

Question

Hi, I just started learning how to fly and they have me in a piper warrior II and i was wondering what the standard time is before you perform a landing by yourself? I've logged approximately two hours and just did my first landing :) Also how long does it usually take to get your private license?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi David,

I have no idea where some of those people came up with so many INCORRECT answers to a simple question.

If you are talking about landing with the instructor onboard while you do all the maneuvering, well, it depends. When I teach, ad that is from the first flight, I allow the student to hold the controls pretty much all the time, unless I am demostrating a maneuver and that includes me talking the student through the take-off and the landing.

If you want to know when you will first solo, that is a very difficult question to answer since you have to receive instruction in certain areas before you can solo and your flight instructor is the one who decides when you are ready to solo.

That being said, I have soloed students with as little as 4 1/2 hours and as much as 25 hours. It depends on the perso, how often they take flight instruction, how the weather is, generally, at the airport where the training takes place, how the student prepares himself or herself by studying the maneuvers before coming to the airport for his or her lesson.

Sooooo... there is no "standard" time for soloing.

Now for the private pilot certificate, (NOT A LICENSE), the minimum required by the FAA is 40 hours of flight of which 20 are dual instruction and 20 are solo flight, (BY YOURSELF - NO PASSENGERS OR INSTRUCTOR ON BOARD).

I have been told that the average time it takes someone to get a private pilot certificate in the US is 65 hours. I have looked at some of my old records and the average for my students have been 43 hours.How long you will take solely deped on how you learn and hos disciplined you are in studying all the material you have to know in order to be a private pilot, and remember, the FAA guidelines are for "minimum requirements." I have always taught to a higher standard than the minimum requirements.

SInce you mention you are taking lessons, you should have been told to purchase an FAR/AIM Manual and also which regulations you need to read and know.

The AIM, (Airmens Information Manual), have information concerning all aspects of flight and it is very helpful.

Good luck on your flying.

Answer 2

Complete 30 to 40 hours of actual flight time with an instructor.

Complete your "solo"  flight without an instructor on board.

Complete your final exam, called a "check ride." An FAA-certified examiner will ask questions and accompany you on a flight in order to assess your abilities to get it.

Answer 3

I got most of my first few hundred hours in a warrior, great plane. Dont forget to switch fuel tanks though!

Your first true landing by yourself will be on your first solo, a day every pilot remembers:-)

This will happen when your instructor feels you are ready  and have mastered the basics. Then usually without warning he/she will exit the aircraft give additional instruction then let you go.

This usually happens after about 20hrs or so of flight training. Not including ground of course.

To attain your private license usually takes about 40-60 hrs of flight training including solo time in the aircraft.

How quickly you can do this depends on your flight school and personel circumstances.

Good luck, study well and enjoy!

Answer 4

I got my solo after 8 hours. I understood average being 7-15 hours dual instruction.

Answer 5

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I believe it should help

Answer 6

If you're talking about handling the landing, rather than landing off your first solo, you're well on course.  As I recall, it was in my second hour that my instructor, not a subtle man, folded his arms and said "Right, you land the bloody thing!" Thankfully he did continue to make encouraging noises . . .

We changed from the 152 to the PA28 early on, and I loved it, actually responsive compared to the dear old Cessna!

Yes, it normally takes around 40 -60 hours flying time to complete PPL, plus of course the ground subjects.

I agree, you'll never forget your first solo. With me, we were supposed to be refining my accuracy in the circuit when he made me taxi in, got out and said "F*** off, three circuits, two touch-and-go and a full stop."  Then he walked away. Despite expecting it I was startled by how well Genevieve responded without his weight, and I'm sure it showed!