How to Learn to Fly a Cessna

A Cessna is an airplane made by the Cessna Aircraft Company, a manufacturer based in Wichita, Kansas. These planes run the gamut from small two-seaters to larger planes used for business travel. Cessna's product range includes Citation business jets, freight-friendly Caravans and Single-Engine Pistons, ideal for personal use. Cessna also manufactures the Skyhawk, currently the most popular aircraft used to train people as they learn how to fly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select a flight school in your area. You may develop a list using the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association website (see Resources below). You may also choose to find a school via Cessna's directory of Cessna Pilot Centers. A Cessna Pilot Center is a flight school that bears the Cessna stamp of approval.

2. Purchase the tools you'll need to learn how to fly. To train as a pilot, you'll need a logbook to keep track of flight time. You'll also need a protractor/plotter for navigation, a flight computer and a calculator. A headset may also be useful as you learn--these facilitate communication between you and your instructor while in flight.

3. Take an aviation medical exam and obtain a medical certificate. This is necessary to qualify you for flight. The certificate must be renewed every two or three years, depending on your age.

4. Decide how you plan to pay for your schooling. Flight school can be costly. Cessna Pilot Centers offer you the opportunity to finance your lessons via a Sallie Mae Financial Corporation professional education loan.

5. Juggle your schedule. For most pilots-in-training, it takes about 60 to 75 flight hours to get the private certificate necessary to fly a Cessna.

Tips & Warnings

• You can start training to get your pilot certificate at any age. However, to fly solo, you must be at least 16. To get your certificate, you must be at least 17. You can keep flying until any age, provided you're able to pass the physical necessary to give you a current medical certificate. Some pilots continue flying until into their 90s.
• You don't need 20/20 vision to fly, as long as glasses or contacts bring it close to the 20/20 range. However, serious ailments like epilepsy, uncontrolled diabetes and heart disease could prevent you from getting the medical certificate you need to qualify for flight.

Resources

• Locate a flight school at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association website
• Visit the Cessna website