I live in Jacksonville Florida and have been considering a pilot license to possibly start a career down the road. Where would be a good place to start? I see so many different schools and all offer so much but how do I know they are actually a good school? Would I be better off taking lessons in a small town and then advance to another big school to finish? And to get me started, what literature would you recommend me starting to read like "pilot 101"?
Aircraft - 3 Answers
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1
Go over to Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, see Sean. He can answer all your questions and provide you with an Instructor as well. Top Shelf outfit!
2
Go to your local airport and go for a trial flight. This should be the first step that you should take - this way you will find out if you like it and want to continue to learn how to fly. If so, then there are a variety of ways you can get there, and the instructor that takes you for a trial flight will be able to tell you more about aviation, and answer all of your questions. The next step you take, if you discover that you want to be a pilot, is to begin training. In the opening stages of your training you will be introduced to how to fly an aircraft (eg. how the controls work, and how to fly the basics). As you progress, your training will continue to introduce you to more and more complicated maneuvers, until you learn how to land a plane. Part way through this training you should begin to study PPL (private pilots license) exams such as Radio, Navigation, Law, etc. You will need to pass all the six PPL exams, and obtain over 50 hours worth of flight experience. You will need to be at least 16 years of age to go solo, and at least 17 years old to gain a PPL (and have the previous requirements). Generally, once you learn how to land and takeoff, and you are at least 16, your instructor will let you go solo. You must accumulate a certain number of solo hours to gain a PPL. Also, if you have at least 50 or more hours (some dual and some solo) and have passed all your exams, and are 17 years old plus have obtained a Medical (this should be obtained prior to going solo) you can be issued with a PPL. This means you now have a license that allows you to fly an aircraft whenever you like and take up to 9 passengers. If this is as far as you want to go, then that will be enough to just enjoy flying as a hobby. However, a PPL will not let you work as a pilot for a career or accept money in return for a flying service. To make a career or job as a pilot, you will need a Commercial Pilots License (CPL). A CPL requires you to take more advanced training then you would have had during your PPL training. You will learn more advanced flying skills, need to pass CPL exams, be at least 18 years old, have a Class 1 Medical certificate, and have at least 200 hours worth of flight experience. Whether a PPL or CPL pilot, you can gain what is known as a rating. These ratings can allow you to fly more sophisticated aircraft and allow you to do more then usual. For example, a Night Rating allows you to fly at night, an Instrument Rating allows you to fly in cloud and bad weather, a Multi-Engine Rating allows you to fly twin engine aircraft, a Turbine Engine Rating will allow you to fly jet engine aircraft such as airliners (Boeing 737/747s etc), an Instructor Rating (C-Cat, B-Cat or A-Cat amd must have a CPL) will allow you to work as an instructor, and so on. To gain a rating, you will need to sit a theory exam and undergo some training. A CPL still only lets you fly up to 9 passengers, however you can make money. With a C-Cat you can have a career as a pilot in the following; Topdressing, Charter flights, Scenic, Instructor, Aerobatic, Small airline, parachute dropper, glider towing and so on. However, if you want to become an airline pilot, you will need an Airline Transport Pilots License (ATPL). An ATPL will allow you to become an airline pilot (so fly any number of passengers). To get an ATPL you will have to pass certain exams, and must have an instrument rating. Certain airlines also prefer you to have other ratings (such as night ratings and turbine engine/multi-engine ratings). Also you must be at least 21 years of age, and have at least 1500 hours worth of flight experience. However, it is always a good idea to have a much larger amount of hours then this before applying to work for an airline company.
3
Hello Soacar - Our friend Lucas is from UK, so some of the info is a little different if you train in Jacksonville, FL under FAA (US) regulations - the ATP in US requires 23 of age. And flight instructors (CFI in US) are single engine, multiengine or instruments - Also in USA, there is no limit as to number of passengers - In the US - the complete training from scratch to CPL and Instructor would be close to $50,000 and can take close to 18 months. All schools prepare you for written exams and flight tests. With a "best school" you just pay more money for the same license - The hardest thing is to get the first job, at the time you have no experience. There are numerous schools in Florida. My best advice would be that you complete a 4 year college degree (required by airlines in the US) then serve in the military (Air Force, Navy) as pilot, to avoid the expensive training, and get the jet experience preferred by airlines to consider you -
