Frequently Asked Questions

The Private Pilot Certificate is the starting point for most aviators. As a private pilot, you'll be able to fly yourself and friends/family for fun. You can start flying at all age, but you must be at least 17 years of age to become a private pilot.

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours before a student can take the practical exam (a check ride)  with a FAA Inspector or FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). To build up to this 40 hours, the student will establish a relationship with the flight instructor by going over basic information on the ground such as learning traffic pattern, checking weather, filing flight plans, weight and balance, etc. The student will be incorporating flight time along with some of the information being discussed on the ground. Usually within 10-15 hours of flight time, the student is ready to solo [fly the airplane without the instructor]. This time can vary based on the student's comfort level. The student and instructor will know when it's time.

Other things required in the training program are 3 hours of night flying, 3 hours of cross-country and 3 hours of simulated Instrument Flight Rules (IFR - looking at the instruments in the cockpit and navigating from these instruments); all are done with the instructor. Instructor and student flight time together must be a minimum of 20 hours.

There is a written exam as well as a practical exam that students must pass in order to acquire a private pilot's certificate.  The written exam consists of 60 questions which are pulled from a test bank of about 800 questions. The test bank is available to the student prior to the exam for study purposes. The student must pass the written test before taking the practical exam.

The FAA requires thirteen key areas to be covered in ground training for Part 141 schools, which are also often included in Part 61 training. Although these thirteen areas are the minimum, ground school typically covers more topics. Key areas include: navigation, radio communications, flight planning, weather systems, aeronautical decision making, and the basics of aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and powerplants.  Ground school  involves using workbooks, charts, online courses, and your instructor, if necessary, to deepen your understanding of flying. The goals is to help you pass the 60-question FAA Knowledge Test. 

Ground School Courses for part 61 schools like Heritage Air can be purchased online from a variety of sources including:  King Schools,  Angle of Attack, and Pilot Institute

Before your first solo flight, you'll also need to pass a pre-solo knowledge test from your instructor.  This exam covers your airplane's operational limits, local airspace procedures, and other FAA rules.

 Part 61 flight schools like Heritage Air follow the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Part 61 regulations for pilot and flight instructor certification. Part 61 flight schools offer a more flexible approach to flight training.  We like to think of ourselves as a BOUTIQUE experience, CUSTOMIZED to each students strengths, schedules, and individual learning profiles.  

Part 141 schools are often a better option for people with prior aviation knowledge and who would like to use  GI bill  to pay for their training.  
 

Ever wonder what it is like to fly during stormy weather or through the clouds? While training for the instrument rating you'll learn to fly a plane without seeing outside. It's exciting and helps to build confidence when a pilot practices navigating solely by instruments;  working with the weather instead of against it. 

IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules - regulations that govern aircraft operations in conditions where visual reference is not safe.  Flying requires  reference to the plane's instruments due to low-visibility situations.  While it is possible to apply for an instrument rating (IR) while concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate (PPL) it is not common.     

NO TWO STUDENTS ARE ALIKE. Our instructors will work with you to design a training plan that meets your learning style and goals.  We offer an discovery flights, and we highly recommend this before committing to any classes. During this one-hour lesson, the flight instructor will spend about 30 minutes on the ground discussing the mechanics of the airplane and about 30 minutes in flight. It is a great way to determine if flight training is really for you.  Discovery flights are $180 payable by check or credit card.  Gift certificates are also available

For a more complete pricing breakdown, please visit our cost estimation page.

TSA  requires that all students learning to fly must show proof of American citizenship with a government issued photo I.D. (driver's license) and one of the following: 

1.   A certified copy of Certificate of Birth 

2.   Current U.S. Passport. Please bring these credentials with you at the time of your first lesson. We will photocopy this information and keep on file for five (5) years.

Students and Renters are insured under an insurance policy provided by the Heritage Air LLC.   Our insurance company has a deductible of $2,500 for both "in-motion" and "not-in-motion", which is responsibility of the renter should there be a need to file a claim.  Our insurance company has full rights to subrogate against Renter for any payments it may be required to make on account of any damage or loss arising out of Renter’s operation of the aircraft, so it is strongly recommended that Renter carry insurance to protect themselves to partially or to fully to cover this possibility. 

A “Non Owned Aircraft” Insurance Policy from an insurance company protects Renter in situations where Renter may be found liable under the law for personal injury and/or property damages, including damage to the aircraft itself 

Your Heritage Air instructor will help you complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website. Once, reviewed by Airman Certification Branch of the FAA, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application.   This takes about 3 weeks.  Learn more about the process and requirements here.

We recommend that you talk with your instructor before purchasing any supplies.  Generally, though, most students do need the following.  

• Airplane Flying Handbook
• Pilot Logbook
• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• Latest FAR/AIM (Federal Aviation Regulation/Aeronautical Information Manual)
• Plotter for Flight Planning
• E6B Flight Computer (manual/electronic version optional)
• Aviation Headset - we do have headset loaners, but BOSE noise canceling is amazing.  

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