What aviation school choices do I have in Florida?

Question

I´ll like to learn to fly in South Florida. What school should I go? What´s the average time to get a pilot license?. What´s the average cost of the first course?

Answer 1

Requirements

For a private pilot certificate, you will need to have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including at least 10 hours solo. You will also take a written test, and a practical test (checkride). To prepare for these, you will also do ground school with your instructor in addition to the flight training.

Most people go beyond the minimum flight time requirement. An average student may expect to take from 60-80 hours depending on how frequently and consistently you train. Try to plan ahead so you can fly consistently, and minimize your costs.

Duration:

How long it will take depends on how frequently you fly. Some people complete all of their ratings (private, instrument, commercial, CFI, CFII, etc.) in as little as 8-10 months or less. Others take several years just to get their private. 3-4 months would not be unreasonable for a private certificate if you train at a modest pace.

How often you fly will depend on three things: your schedule, the flight school's schedule, and the availability of funds. Any one of those may cause you to get stuck, and to take longer. Do some research, and plan ahead carefully to minimize delays created by any of these.

Cost

Flight time is the bulk of the expense. If the average price in your area is say $125/hr, then 60 hours for the private pilot certificate will cost $7,500. Your ground lessons, medical exam, books, supplies, written tests, examiner fee, etc. will be in addition to that. You might spend another $1000 or so on these.

Flight School Listings

http://www.flightschoollist.com/florida....

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofl...

http://www.bestaviation.net/flight_schoo...

http://www.aviationschoolsonline.com/sch...

General Information

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofl...

http://www.beapilot.com/

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/

Do some shopping around before you start.

NB: Embry Riddle is only if you want to fly as a career.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

Embry Riddle.  Daytona Beach.  I attached it.  It is a four year course generally.  (Depending on what experience you do or do not have)  I like it because there are so many different facets of aviation you can choose to major in.  The time spent to get a pilot's license I would say would be dictated by the time you have available and the cost you can pay.  I have seen people get their first instrument rating in a year and then others take eons.  Cost is a huge factor in getting hours.  I can't tell you the cost.  I am sure their website could but they have different tuition prices for different things.  (i.e. a class instruction versus flight instruction)  So if you already have some course work that transfers over you'd come in cheaper versus if you are just starting out.  Either way, good luck with your dreams!