While it may seem that personal flying is an activity restricted to a privileged few, the fact is that just about anyone in good health can become a certified pilot if they are willing to make the investment of time, finances, personal commitment, and a dash of old-fashioned courage. Of course, if it were simple then more people would be aviators. But thousands of men and women earn their Private Pilot Certificates every year with a structured, regulated course of study and training. At Willamette Aviation, we offer flight instruction from our team of FAA Certified Flight Instructors, as well as study materials, pilot supplies, and aircraft rental. Our goal is to ensure our students successfully transition from novice flyers to certified Private Pilots in a safe, efficient manner.
What does it take to become a Private Pilot?
First, it will take time. The FAA requires that student pilots log a minimum of 40 hours of instruction before taking a checkride for a Private Pilot Certificate, but normally it will require 60 hours or more of flight training. The total hours will depend on both your time available for instruction and your personal aptitude. In general, the more time you dedicate will get you faster certification. We recommend that new students plan to fly at least once a week, but scheduling two lessons per week (or more) will deliver better, faster results.
You will have to pass a routine medical examination to confirm that you are in reasonably good health and have acceptable eyesight — with corrective lenses if necessary, so it's fine if you wear eyeglasses. If you have a hearing impediment, the conditions of your license may be restricted. Please see our FAA Medicals page to learn how you can schedule an exam on our campus at the Aurora State Airport.
Becoming a pilot certainly requires study, as you will have to become knowledgeable about FAA regulations, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, flight planning, airspace, meteorology, and more. This study can be done independently or through a structured ground school course.
Becoming a pilot will cost you some of your hard-earned money — expect to pay anywher from $10,000 to $14,000 (or more) to complete your training, which can take six months to a year or even longer, depending on your choice of training aircraft, personal progress, and available time. In our opinion, no reputable flight school should guarantee a fixed time or cost — our fleet, instructors, and facilities will be your primary resources, but your commitment to training will make the difference. Visit us and we can help you arrive at a reasonable estimate based on your circumstances.
Finally, you will have to pass examinations — an uncomplicated written exam before your first solo; a formal, computer-based knowledge exam that allows you proceed to your checkride; and the checkride itself with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, which your instructor will prepare you for before recommending you. The checkride includes both an informal oral examination and the actual flight test, based on the published FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS). And don't worry — once recommended, you should be able to pass the checkride with confidence, or complete one or two outstanding PTS requirements on a later flight if you commit any errors, with review training. We're here to make sure you get that hard-earned ticket, and we want you to earn your certification.
As we said, everybody would do it if it came easy. But certified pilots understand the practical benefits of flight, and they never outgrow the sheer delight of soaring aloft in command of a private aircraft. Schedule a Discovery Flight today with one of our instructors to see if a Private Pilot certificate is in your future.
