Step #1

You must be able to speak fluent English. If this is not your first language then start by taking some English courses. Without it, you will not qualify for training to become a private pilot.

Step #2

Don’t set your heart on learning to fly unless you are of 16 years of age or older. If you are not then do not give up your dream, there are still some other prepatory things to put in place if you are soon going to becoming of age.

Step#3

Find out exactly what the current medical requirements for your country are in regards to obtaining your pilots license. It would be most unfortunate if you left this until the end of your lessons then found out you do not qualify medically.

Step#4

Do some research. You need to locate flying schools in your area or an area where you could attend. If there are several then it means more research by comparison. If you only have a couple then your choices are limited. It does not matter even if there is only one though as all flying schools must follow the same government rules and regulations for pilots. The only minor differences you will find in the schools are perhaps the extras they offer. If these are important to you then part of your decision may be based on this. From a cost point of view they are all pretty well in the same price range, although there may be some price fluctuation if they are several schools as they will be competing within themselves. It is also a good idea to plan to spend a little more money than what the tuition costs. You may want to purchase extra flying time for example.

Step #5

Be prepared to adopt some good study methods and homework application. Before you even get into the air, you will be facing up to five weeks ground training. It is this knowledge that is going to give you the ability to get up in the air and keep you safe. You want to know it well. Once you have completed your training you will need to write a 100 question of multiple-choice test. This is the FAA test and without passing this, you will not be able to proceed with your training.

Step #6

Now it really gets exciting you are ready to complete about 40 hours of practical flight experience where you will be accompanied by a qualified instructor.

Step#7

You will have to complete a solo flight. Your instructor will be present but you will be in control. This is the preparatory work for your final exam.

Step #8

The final step is before you, which is your final exam. Here a FAA certified examiner will give you the tests. He will accompany you on a flight to determine your flying abilities and will ask you several questions.

Once you have successfully achieved all that we have covered here, you will be a licensed private pilot. Naturally, these pointers are the basics and consist of a lot more detail, but it gives you an overall view of what you are facing on your road to becoming a private pilot.

By: Ryan Henderson

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