How to Get a License to Fly a Plane
Getting a pilot's license is your ticket to flying in the friendly skies. There are many types of licenses available for flying a plane, a private pilot's license being the first. A private pilot's license allows you to fly an aircraft for transportation and private use without being paid for it. To fly other aircraft, such as a helicopter, or to be able to fly a commercial plane or cargo plane, you will need other certificates -- but only after first receiving your private flying license.
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Instructions
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Verify that you meet the requirements to fly. You must be at least 16 years old and know how to read and write in English, which is the international aviation language. You must also be in extremely good health.
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Get a medical examination authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration. It focuses on hearing, vision and balance. The typical cost for an examination is around $50. After the examination you'll receive a certificate that is valid for three years, two years if you are older than 40.
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Look for a flight school in your area to begin training. The school should be close to your home as it involves travel. Gather information about schools from pilots, friends and magazines to ensure that the institution is reputable and provides adequate and quality training. The school should also work to meet your time allowance, whether it's part or full time. Go to the Federal Aviation Administration website and enter your name and location to find a listing of schools in your area.
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Complete 40 hours of training at a non-approved FAA school or 35 hours at an approved school. Non-approved schools have excellent training but find it unnecessary to qualify for the FAA certification. These schools are less rigid and give students more flexibility. FAA-approved schools require 35 hours of training and have high standards on the quality of equipment, curriculum and personnel. Most of the training hours are flying time; the remainder is for ground and textbook instruction. The cost is $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the school. The course includes flying with an instructor, as well as at least 10 hours of solo flying.
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Take the flying test and a final written test. Once you have completed the course and passed the tests, you will receive a certificate, which the FAA considers to be a license.
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Tips & Warnings
Although the minimum hours for a pilot's certificate is 40, some schools may require a total of 60 to 75 hours of training.
References
Resources
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