Private Pilots License?

Question

I asked a question about five days ago and the info was great but I'm still confused about the order in which you do things when getting your PPL. When you go to flight school to get your hours do they assume you know the ground school material or do they work on that with you along the way? When you sign up do they teach you anything at first or do they just say get in the plane? Also, what are the test you need to take in order to get your PPL? And lastly, do some flying schools have some kind of payment plan so that you are not overwhelmed with the cost of the instructor and rentals?

Answer 1

Depending on the school, some may cover stuff as you go along in the airplane.  Typically, you'll fly first and then read.  Part 141 schools have phase tests, etc. as required by that FAR.

You'll have to take a Private Pilot written exam and get an FAA Class III Medical, minimum; beside all the stuff you listed.

Most schools have some payment plan or take credit cards.

Answer 2

they teach you stuff before you get in the plane and some in the plane yes they have a payment plan

Answer 3

They should work with you on what to do when you apply. they will give you all the indo you need to start.

Answer 4

take a sportsman's class course first. You can use your drivers license and you don't need a medical.  the requirement is that can never have been turned down for a medical certificate from the FAA.  you will then learn how to fly.  If you never apply for a medical certificate you can't have been turned down.  If you can't pass the medical and you know this you can still fly qualifying aircraft in qualifying conditions.  if you want a career then you pursue a PPL and build from there.

Answer 5

Most flight schools will take you on a introduction flight first - this usually consist of a brief introduction on the fundementals of flight, then a walk around the airplane (explaining some of the more basic parts of the airplane), and then a short demo flight.

Then they should discuss with you the procedures for getting a private pilots license; (Medical Examination, Written Test, Flight Training, Regulations, and the Practical Test (flight test))

If you wish to start your training after the introduction flight you can - however you will not be able to solo until you have passed your medical examintaion.

You will need to get / buy a copy of the FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations)  you need to learn a few basic sections which you can do by studying at home.  The instructor or school will recommend a few training books to assist you with preparing for the written test.

All instructors will do some type of ground training with you - this is two fold 1) to be understand the operation and safety of flight and 2) to prepare you for the written test.  You can take the written test anytime BEFORE the pratical test but it must be done before you take the pratical (flight test) - I believe the test results are good for 1 year.

So after you have a medical certificate (also known as a student certificate) you have a complete passed written test and have completed all the components of the flight training (cross country, night flying, etc) you schedule a pratical test with an examiner.  He reviews you logbook, the endorsement from your instructor, your written test results and your student pilot certificate.  He gives you an oral examination - asking you questions about regulations, how to plan a cross country trip, how to figure out weight & balance, etc - if you pass this part then the two of you go flying where you must demostrate that you can safely operate an airplane.  If you pass this - CONGRADULATIONS your a private pilot!  The examiner will issue your temporary private pilot certifcate on the spot.

As for costs:

Most flight schools will let you pay as you go and can afford - but I do not recommend you take months between lessons.  You forget things and have to recap on previously discussed items when you do your training over extended periods of time.  Also, most have a club rate where you put money on account and use it as you train.  They often give you a discount on airplane rentals and instruction if you do this.  The books will cost you between $100 -$150 the aircraft rental and instruction will vary based on how well you pick things up.  The medical examine should be around $100.  The examiner will vary - I think I paid $250. for my pratical test but this was some years ago.

Answer 6

All those questions depend on the flight school, well except for the written test one, but that's been answered.

Unfortunately, some instructors don't put much effort into the ground school part, because they're not building hours doing it.  Some just say "read this book, if you have any questions, ask me".  All throughout my flight training, up until the airlines, I had only a handful of hours of ground school.  I learned the rest either on my own or by talking to instructors and pilots.  I'm not saying that's right.  That was my experience.  Some schools, fortunately, focus heavily on the ground school part.

Answer 7

Ground school depends on weather your doing it yourself, or taking it at the flight school. While you don't need any ground school to take flying lessons it, is better if you learn ground school at the same time your taking the flying lessons. Things make more sense that way.

Usually the person that teaches you to fly will be teaching you some of the things in the ground school while the flying lesson is going on. But, the ground school, unless it is being taught by the same person, is a separate thing.

Each flight instructor is different, I suggest an experienced one, but also one that can explain things to you in a way YOU can understand them. Some are not good at this. If you are not progressing, you need to change instructors, so that their lack of ability to teach you does not cost you a fortune.

4 required tests are:

Medical exam, Do this at the beginning to assure you qualify before spending a lot of money.

Written, includes everything you were shown in ground school. This is the first real test.



Oral, this is the first 1/2 or you check ride. Includes some of: everything from the first test, everything about the aircraft, everything in the FAR/AIM rule book, your ability to plan a trip properly, using radio communications, and basically anything else they can think of.

Practical, 2nd 1/2 of the check ride. This is the part where you have to prove you can fly the required maneuvers safely, and to the test standards. If you work hard on the first two tests, this part usually only requires you, "to not do anything stupid" They will not expect you to be able to fly like an airline pilot, they are looking for you to show them that you will be very careful and safe. If after you shut down the aircraft, you have not been told you failed, your done. That means you passed. Then you take you license and go out and learn to fly.

Yes, most schools have financing.