Your training will consist of several phases. In the first phase your instructor will fly with you and teach you the fundamental manuevers, and how to takeoff and land. When your instructor feels you are ready you will make your first solo flight. You will make several solo flights to practice what you have learned. In the next phase, you will make cross-country flights with your instructor. When you have learned to navigate, you will make several solo cross-country flights. In the final phase you will practice for your flight test, also called a checkride. The checkride will be conducted by an examiner who will issue you a private pilot license upon satisfactory completion of the test.
In order to become a private pilot you must be at least 17 years old (16 to solo), read/speak/write and understand English, pass a medical exam, pass a written exam, and finally pass the flight test (which has an oral exam component). The FAA requires that you have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, at least 20 hours of this time must be spent with an instructor, and at least 10 hours must be spent in solo flight.
Increase the usefulness of your pilots license, and become a safer pilot. Most insurance companies offer reduced rates for instrument rated pilots. While earning your instrument rating, you will be learn to fly with greater precision. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of instrument flight time, at least 15 hours of this time must be spent with an instrument flight instructor. In addition, you must have 50 hours of PIC cross-country time. If you don't already have this much PIC cross-country time, let us know when you start your training.
Phil's Flying Enterprises, Inc. recommends students with personal computers purchase ASA On Top Instrument Proficiency Simulator. This will allow you the convience of practicing your lessons at home. It will also allow you to get extra practice before your practical test.
This is the lowest cost option. By maximizing the use of simulators you can reduce the biggest expense toward earning your rating, the aircraft rental. Another advantage of the simulator is that it may be paused when you run into difficulty. The FAA allows up to 20 hours of simulator time. Up to 10 hours of this time can be spent in a PCATD (PC aircraft training device). Another Advantage of the PCATD is that you can easily fly the same approaches you will fly on your practical test, without flying to another airport first.
This course allows you to make full use of the 10 hours you are permitted to spend in a PCATD. The ability to pause the simulator, and start your flight from distant airports make this a good choice. You will also save a considerable amount of money over the 100% airplane option by spending 10 hours less in the airplane.
This option is primarily for students who are training in their own aircraft. If your aircraft is not fully IFR equipped (ADF, DME, etc.) you may wish to spend some time in the simulator learning how to use the devices not currently installed in your aircraft.
This option is available for the student who has limited time to study, or for someone who wants train over their vacation. It is highly recommended that you start this course with your written test completed, and your 50 hours of PIC cross-country time requirement met. You will need to schedule this training well in advance, especially if you intend to do this in the summer time. You would also be wise to add a few days of buffer to these 10 days in case weather or other factors cause delays. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
You must have a high performance endorsement to operate an aircraft with more than 200 hp. We have access to affordable high performance airplanes.
We do not currently have any complex (retractable gear) planes in our fleet, but we can work with recent purchasers of such aircraft.
Are you a commercial pilot who likes to have fun, and would like to get paid to fly? If so, flying skydivers might be just the thing for you. You won't meet a more interesting bunch of people. If you don't already have a high performance endorsement, you will need one before you can work as a jump pilot or "diver driver".
We are happy to fly with you for your flight reviews. We don't charge extra if you want to use your plane. We also offer a fixed priced flight review for those who haven't been flying much recently. We want you to complete your review as a safer more heads up pilot.
Have you allowed too much time to go by without excercising your instrument flying skills? We can help you become current again. As always, we don't charge extra for performing the proficiency check in your airplane.