The Training Process – Private Pilot

Citizenship Verification – Every person interested in obtaining flight training in the US must first verify their US citizenship or pass a background check  with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If you are a US citizen, you can verify citizenship by presenting a current valid U.S. passport, a birth certificate issue by a government entity located within the U.S., or your U.S. naturalization documents. This is the only requirement U.S. citizens must meet before training can begin. Foreign Nationals must begin their background check by simply visiting www.flightschoolcandidates.gov and setting up an account. You will then be guided through the background process. Once cleared by the TSA, your flight training may begin.

Ground Training – Throughout the entire training process, ground training is conducted in conjunction with flight training. Ground training consists of pre- and post-flight briefings, as well as sessions conducted whenever the airplane is grounded due to poor weather conditions or at times when a subject requires a more in-depth discussion. When ground training is complete, you will receive an endorsement to take the FAA private pilot knowledge (written) exam.

Pre-Solo – Your training in the airplane starts immediately with the Pre-Solo stage. During the pre-solo stage, you learn to fly the airplane, culminating in your first solo flight. Basic flying skills such as taxiing, take-offs, aircraft maneuvering, and landings are taught as well as the FAA required maneuvers for student solo flight. Click here to view the FAA pre-solo flight training requirements. Your instructor will issue your Student Pilot certificate, and you will have to obtain a 3rd Class Medical  from a Designated Medical Examiner. When all of these requirements have been met and you demonstrate adequate flying proficiency, you will receive your solo endorsement from your instructor. You are now a licensed student pilot with solo privileges and will complete your first solo flight.

Post-Solo – During this stage, the training consists of a combination of solo flight and advanced maneuvers training. At the beginning you will, weather permitting, fly solo sessions, at first remaining in the airport traffic pattern then progressively moving towards more independence with the airplane, as you are allowed to fly outside your instructor’s sight to other airports and the practice area. Advanced training includes maneuvers such as performance take-offs and landings, radio navigation, and instrument flight, preparing you for the cross-country stage.

Cross-Country – By this time, you have learned how to fly the airplane and are confident with solo flight. Now you will learn how to go from point A to point B, utilizing all the skills you have learned so far. Training in this stage consists of planning and flying both dual and solo cross-country trips, with emphasis on subjects such as aircraft performance, weather, night flight, lost and diversion procedures, and aircraft weight and balance.

Practical Test Preparation (Check Ride Prep) – One of the last requirements is for you to complete a minimum of 3 hours of flight training specifically in preparation for the practical test (check ride). Approximately half of this time is spent reviewing all of the maneuvers that you will be required to demonstrate during the check ride. During this review, your instructor will remind you of the proper entries, altitudes, and tolerances for each maneuver required by the Practical Test Standards (PTS). You will then be given the opportunity to practice as much as needed until you are confident you can perform each maneuver to the PTS. The remaining time is spent conducting a “mock” check ride, during which your instructor acts as the examiner, to give you the experience of how the check ride will be conducted. Your instructor will then critique your performance and if required, you will practice whatever maneuvers do not meet the PTS requirements. After the additional practice, when you can fly each maneuver to the PTS, your practical test is scheduled. Click here to view the complete Private Pilot certificate requirements.

The Practical Test – This is the day you have been preparing for! The check ride will be conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and consists of an oral examination followed by the flight portion of the test.  After you have successfully demonstrated both your aviation knowledge and pilot skills as required by the PTS to the DPE, you will be issued your temporary private pilot certificate and are now a licensed Private Pilot. Congratulations, you earned it!