PRIVATE PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING

AERODYNE'S SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

Our comprehensive flight training program takes you through every step of the process to make it enjoyable for you to learn how to fly. Read through the detailed steps listed below.

SYSTEMATIC STEPS

Step 1.  FAA Medical Certification To obtain a medical certificate, potential pilots must visit an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). At Aerodyne, we meet with you before you complete the online application and schedule an appointment with an AME to make sure that you fully understand how to present your medical history (knowing the difference in phraseology around certain conditions or medications is crucial) and to assure that you meet the required medical standards. We can help you find an AME.

Step 2. FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test At Aerodyne, we have found that the easiest and quickest way to prepare for the required written exam is to take our 2-Day Private Pilot Test Prep Course. No advance study is required. Our instructor walks you through the material, explains complex concepts, shows how to use an E6B Professional Flight Calculator (allowed during testing) and provides tried-and-true test-taking strategy. See link for additional information about Aerodyne's FAA Written Test Prep.

Step 3. FAA Student Pilot Certificate While it is not necessary to possess a student pilot certificate to take flying lessons, it is necessary before soloing. The FAA estimates a turnaround time of three weeks to approve and return new plastic student pilot certificates to applicants by mail. Therefore, Aerodyne recommends submitting your application as soon as possible. Our certified flight instructors are authorized by the FAA to process your student pilot application, ensuring that it is in order before being forwarded to the FAA for approval.

Step 4. First Stage to Solo Flight Training begins with ground briefings, pre-flight inspections and flight deck familiarization. The first lessons concentrate on aircraft control; climbs and descents; takeoffs, landings and go-arounds; performance maneuvers; ground reference maneuvers; navigation maneuvers; slow flight, stalls and steep turns; communications systems; flight planning and weather briefings; and emergency operations. How quickly a person can solo varies greatly, but generally learning to take off and land a plane by yourself requires around 20 hours of training with an instructor. You must fly a minimum of 10 solo hours to become a private pilot.

Step 5. Second Stage to Cross-Country Flying In addition to solo flight training, a new pilot must complete a minimum of five hours of solo cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane. By definition, cross-country time includes any flight conducted by a pilot in an aircraft that includes a landing at a point at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure. One cross-country flight must be at least 100 nautical miles in total distance. During this phase of the training, you will work with an Aerodyne instructor on dead reckoning and pilotage, opening and closing flight plans, requesting flight following, radio navigation techniques, homing and tracking using visual orientation and how to handle no-tower communications.

Step 6. Preparation for Airman Certification Practical Test A person applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor. During the final phase of training, you will receive a logbook endorsement from one of Aerodyne's certified flight instructors. Our CFI will verify that you have conducted training in all areas of operation and possess the aeronautical knowledge and experience to become a private pilot. During this step, our instructors review all maneuvers, go over questions and work closely with you to assure competency, safety and compliance.

Step 7. Practical Test The final step is to pass a practical test on the areas of operation and demonstrate proficiency by flying with an FAA Designated Examiner. Aerodyne can assist you in scheduling this check ride. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time to become a private pilot. The estimated national average to acquire the skills necessary for the test is 76 flight hours. At Aerodyne, our customers average 50 to 60 flight hours. As with any activity, the more you put into it and the more often you fly, the faster you will become proficient. Training in Aerodyne's Redbird Flight Simulator also enhances the training process and allows you to safely practice skills before demonstrating them in an aircraft. See link for additional information about. Aerodyne's Flight Simulator.

Accelerated Training Programs are available.