Our Training Program. Whether you intend to fly "heavy metal," use a personal airplane for business and family travel, or fly recreationally, our Private Pilot curriculum will provide you with a solid foundation for many years of safe and enjoyable flying. We operate under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). For our customers, this means that our curriculum and scheduling is very adaptable. All of our customers follow the same structured syllabus, but you have the freedom to schedule your flight time when it is convenient and advance through the curriculum at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Ground and Air Work. By choosing Champaign Aviation for your Private Pilot training, you will have the freedom and flexibility to conduct your ground study when and wher you choose. Our customers work with us to design a home-study course that fits their schedule and helps them achieve their goals in the most efficient manner possible. But do not worry, you will have ample time with your Instructor to prepare you for each lesson! Each flight lesson consists of a pre-flight discussion, the actual flying time, and a post-flight debrief and review. Many of our customers choose to schedule additional ground instruction time as they progress through their training.
Tests. You will need to complete three tests during your Private Pilot training. The first test is take-home and is known as the Pre-Solo test. Before you are allowed to fly solo, your Instructor will assess your knowledge of FAA regulations, airspace rules and procedures, and the operational characteristics of the aircraft you will be flying. This is not a pass/fail test - it is meant to ensure that you have the knowledge required to be safe and legal while flying solo. The second test you will complete is the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam. This computerized test is administered only at designated testing centers, and your Instructor will provide you with an endorsement stating that you are ready for the test. We will work with you to design a home-study curriculum - complemented by additional ground work with an Instructor - that will prepare you for this test. The final test you will complete is the FAA Practical Test, also known as the checkride. The checkride consists of two parts - the Oral portion and the Flight portion - and is administered by an FAA representative or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
