Student / Private Pilot - In your airplane, at your own pace
Private Pilot CertificateAlways dreamed of becoming a pilot? Each time you pass an airport, you have an urge to pull over and watch the planes come and go? Got started some time ago but jobs, family and so on took higher priority or perhaps you've just put off getting started in the first place for the same reasons?
You are not alone and many have started or returned to flying a bit later in life. Wright Aviation can help you achieve that dream, complete the task and become a member of the pilot community. Our primary focus has been helping more mature candidates become private pilots and then working with them as they progress with their flying experience.
Becoming a pilot requires building a sound, working knowledge of aviation, the science flying, the equipment involved, the aerodynamic principles involved along with an understanding of rules, regulations and best practices developed over the first century of powered flight. In addition, a pilot candidate needs to learn how to fly, how to apply the theories of flight in an airplane and demonstrate the ability to operate the airplane safely under a fairly wide range of circumstances. In short, become a safe, conscientious and competent member of the pilot community.
We can work with you where ever you are starting from. We tailor programs to each individual, work at whatever pace works best for you and stay with you until you achieve your goal and beyond. If you are starting out, we can put together a training program that makes sense, fits you time schedule and provides the flexibility to accelerate or slow down based on your time, your budget, learning process and your development.
General: To apply for a private pilot certificate you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas shown below that apply to the kind of aircraft you intend to fly.
Aeronautical knowledge areas:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for:
(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight including:
(9) Aircraft weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of:
(13) Preflight action that includes—
Aeronautical knowledge areas:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for:
- Visual (VFR) navigation
- Basics of pilotage and dead reckoning
- Navigation systems basics
(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight including:
- windshear avoidance
- use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
- collision avoidance
- recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
(9) Aircraft weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of:
- aerodynamics,
- powerplants, and
- aircraft systems;
- Stall awareness, avoidance and recovery from inadvertent stalls
- Spin awareness, avoidance and recovery from inadvertent spins
(13) Preflight action that includes—
- How to obtain information on:
- runway lengths at airports of intended use,
- data on takeoff and landing distances,
- weather reports and forecasts, and
- fuel requirements
- How to plan for flights including:
- route of flight
- altitude considerations and implications
- speed, time and distances
- alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.
This is where you apply the book knowledge and actually learn to fly. It is where you will learn how to handle the airplane, make it take off, climb, fly straight and level, turn, descend and land, with you manipulating the controls under the guidance and direction of a highly qualified and experienced master flight instructor.
Areas of operation covered in the flight training itself must include:
Areas of operation covered in the flight training itself must include:
- Preflight preparation;
- Gather information,
- Flight planning and Filing
- Getting ready to head to the airplane
- Preflight procedures;
- Inspecting the airplane
- Verifying documentations
- Ensuring safety and readiness
- Airport operations;
- Communication procedures
- Airport Terminology and Signage
- Taxiing procedures & ground rules
- Safety and Collision avoidance
- Clearances
- Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
- Normal takeoff and landings
- Performance takeoff and landings
- Crosswind takeoff and landings
- Performance maneuvers;
- Aircraft handling at altitude
- Climbs, descents, turns.
- Making steep turns
- Ground reference maneuvers;
- Flying at low altitudes
- Making precise patterns
- Circling a specific location
- Slow flight and stalls;
- Controlling the airplane flying slow
- Recognizing and recovering from stalls
- Configuration changes
- Basic instrument maneuvers;
- Controlling the airplane using only instruments
- Navigation;
- Traveling from airport to airport
- Compensating for wind drift
- Following preplanned routes
- Identifying visual landmarks
- Using radio & GPS navigation
- Emergency operations;
- Engine failures & power loss issues
- Electrical system failures & related issues
- Handling emergency situations
- Decision making
- Night operations;
- Preparations for night flying
- Taking off and landing in the dark
- Navigating at night
- Emergency considerations
- Post-flight procedures;
- After landing procedures
- Parking and shutdown procedures
- Securing aircraft
- Ground handling and servicing
During the course of normal training, the focus is on acquiring and building a working knowledge of the fundamental principles, theories, and regulations of aviation as well as learning the motor skills associated with applying those things in the air, flying an airplane. It is a building block process in which a solid foundation of knowledge and skills is built followed by the addition of more and more layers over time. Formal testing occurs at two specific stages along the way.
The first milestone is a written examination administered on behalf of the FAA covering the information considered fundamental to becoming a pilot such as aviation history, basic aerodynamics, the rules and regulations associated with flying and so forth. The second and final milestone, called the Practical Test, occurs at the point where you have accumulated the required number of flight hours, some with an instructor, some on your own and are ready to take what’s called the check-ride. At each of these milestones, specific, focused training is offered aimed at preparing you to take and pass the actual examination.
The written test preparation training is focused on the specifics of that FAA exam, the administration of the exam, the subjects covered, questions asked and so forth. Prep for the written can be accomplished with your instructor or through a host of self directed study methods including weekend seminars, interactive computer courses and old fashioned practice exams. Once ready, you present your graduation certificate or instructor’s “endorsement” to the testing center and take the written exam.
The Practical Test is a different matter. At the conclusion of your basic training you will meet with either an FAA Examiner or a Designated Pilot Examiner who will first conduct an oral examination probing your knowledge and understanding of the basics of flying. Once satisfied that your knowledge is adequate, you will take the examiner up and demonstrate your flying skills by performing a variety of takeoffs and landings, performance maneuvers, and so forth.
Prior to taking the practical test, very specific ground and flight training which must be completed and certified by your flight instructor. This training needs to happen just before taking the actual practical test. It is specific to the rating you are going after and the aircraft you will be using. The sole purpose this "check-ride preparation" is to ensure that you understand the materials, you can safely fly the airplane within the set standards and that you are indeed ready to become a pilot.
The first milestone is a written examination administered on behalf of the FAA covering the information considered fundamental to becoming a pilot such as aviation history, basic aerodynamics, the rules and regulations associated with flying and so forth. The second and final milestone, called the Practical Test, occurs at the point where you have accumulated the required number of flight hours, some with an instructor, some on your own and are ready to take what’s called the check-ride. At each of these milestones, specific, focused training is offered aimed at preparing you to take and pass the actual examination.
The written test preparation training is focused on the specifics of that FAA exam, the administration of the exam, the subjects covered, questions asked and so forth. Prep for the written can be accomplished with your instructor or through a host of self directed study methods including weekend seminars, interactive computer courses and old fashioned practice exams. Once ready, you present your graduation certificate or instructor’s “endorsement” to the testing center and take the written exam.
The Practical Test is a different matter. At the conclusion of your basic training you will meet with either an FAA Examiner or a Designated Pilot Examiner who will first conduct an oral examination probing your knowledge and understanding of the basics of flying. Once satisfied that your knowledge is adequate, you will take the examiner up and demonstrate your flying skills by performing a variety of takeoffs and landings, performance maneuvers, and so forth.
Prior to taking the practical test, very specific ground and flight training which must be completed and certified by your flight instructor. This training needs to happen just before taking the actual practical test. It is specific to the rating you are going after and the aircraft you will be using. The sole purpose this "check-ride preparation" is to ensure that you understand the materials, you can safely fly the airplane within the set standards and that you are indeed ready to become a pilot.