The first step to learning to fly an airplane is to find a place to train. A quick way to locate flight training facilities is to look in the Yellow Pages(tm) under "Aircraft Flight Instruction." However, not all schools advertise there, so the Yellow Pages won't tell you all your options. However, usually at least one school at each airport will advertise. So, from the Yellow Pages, you can at least learn the locations of all the local airports.
The best way to learn what schools are available is to visit your local airports. Small and mid-size airports usually have more flight traninig activity than major airline airports.
Flight training facilities go by several different names. Here are some of the most common types, and how they compare:
Fixed Base Operator (FBO): This type of business offers a full range of aviation services: aircraft sales and maintenance, fuel sales, aircraft charter, flight instruction, or any other services that transient or based aircraft and pilots might need. Aircraft rental and flight instruction may be only a small part of this business.
Flight school: a business whose primary business is flight training and aircraft rental. It may offer other related services such as aircraft maintenance and pilot supplies.
Flying club: a non-profit group of pilots and aircraft owners who join together to help reduce expenses and share resources. Some larger clubs may look just like FBOs or flight schools. Since clubs are non-profit, rental rates are usually lower than at FBOs or flight schools.
Colleges and Universities: many colleges and universities offer flight training as part of an aviation curriculum. If you intend to pursue a career in aviation, a college degree in aviation is a definite advantage.
Note that some FBOs and flight schools may call themselves flying clubs to imply non-profit status, give them a more "friendly" atmosphere, or provide an excuse to charge monthly dues.
All training courses consist of some combination of theoretical learning conducted on the ground, and practical exercises conducted in the air. Initial training is often conducted in specialized training aircraft, which are designed for benign handling characteristics and lower costs compared to the aircraft which the pilot concerned is ultimately aiming to fly. Flight training devices, of which full flight simulators are a major subset, are also used to train pilots in some circumstances, at much lower cost and risk than actual flying. The minimum amount of flight training required for private pilots is generally set at 40 hours, however most students require 50-80 hours of training. For glider training the time and expense may be considerably less.
The cost of flight training can vary, at local part 61 flight schools it will be approximately $7,000 USD for a Private Pilot License. A Commercial Pilot License will usually cost $40,000-$60,000 USD and take 1-2 years. Another option is to attend one of the larger 141 schools. These more structured training programs are qualified by the FAA to issue pilots' licenses with reduced hours of training. A full time student can expect to complete a training program for Commercial Pilot License in 4-6 months. Some universities also offer 4 year Aviation degree programs that include flight training. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue University, University of North Dakota, Kent State University, and Ohio State University and are some of the largest. The final option is the military route, but unmanned aerial vehicles and forced retention policies have decreased the flow to the civilian sector.
In basic training, the following fundamentals of safe flying are covered for almost all aircraft (with a few exceptions for the smallest ultralights missing some features):
* Principles of Flight
* Flight Regulations
* Meteorology
* Navigation
* Radio Communications
* Flight Instruments
* Human Factors
* Medical Certification
For powered aircraft:
* Airframes, Engines and Systems
The FAA Knowledge Test is administered at designated testing centers and consists of a computer-generated 60 question multiple choice exam. Practical Tests are conducted by an FAA or FAA-designated examiner. Upon satisfactory completion of the practical test, a private pilot certificate is immediately issued.
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