Frequently Asked
Questions
How long does it take?
The Private Pilot License can be attained in as little as three months,
or it can take more than a year. It depends on how much time you want to spend
training. The average is between
four and six months. The more frequently you fly the quicker you'll learn and the
more you'll retain from lesson to lesson. A minimum of 35 flight hours is required
to get your license, but the license is granted on the basis of your proficiency
as a pilot. The average person would need to fly approximately 45 hours to gain
the required proficiency to pass the "behind-the-wheel" test. (“Private Pilot
Certification Course Cost” page)
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How much does it cost? If you achieved your goal in the minimum time required, you could expect to spend about $3500.00. (This covers all fees required) More realistically you will take four to six
months to complete the course, fly approximately 45 hours, and spend about $4000.00. Obviously the more you fly, the quicker you'll learn and the less you'll spend.
(“Private Pilot
Certification Course Costs” Page)
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What Will I Need to Learn?
To gain your Private Pilot license you will need to gain some basic
knowledge of aerodynamics, the aircraft and its systems, federal aviation
regulations, general operating procedures and aviation weather. Our training is
organized to fit your schedule to help you master the information necessary for
you to obtain your pilot certificate. No
special math or science skills are required. One-on-one tutoring with your assigned instructor will help
you understand how this
knowledge is applied to each of your flight lessons.
There are two aspects to a pilot education program.
You will need to learn to “fly” the airplane by handling the controls
of the airplane yourself under the supervision of your flight instructor.
With your personal instructor your will learn to take-off, land and fly
cross-country and night flying. Your
instructor will assist you in mastering all of the areas of
knowledge needed to be a competent, safe pilot.
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How Safe Is It?
Safety is our primary concern throughout the flight training program. You
have probably heard that statistically, flying is the safest means of travel.
The axiom is true that the most dangerous part of any flight is the drive to the
airport! More often than not, when a problem does occur, pilot error is one of
the factors most likely at fault. Industry leaders agree, regardless of the size
of the aircraft, from Piper Cub to Jumbo Jet, that proper training and proper
procedures are the
key to safe, worry-free flight. It is accepted that the most important safety
feature of any aircraft is a well trained pilot. Our goal is to provide you with
an enjoyable learning experience that emphasizes a long term safety-conscious
attitude toward the flight environment. Our flight training program is FAA
certified and our aircraft are maintained to FAA standards in accordance with
the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures. Our instructors are all
FAA certificated and receive continual recurrent training in the latest
instructional and operational techniques. Aircraft
are constructed under very rigid standards and they are continually checked to
insure they are safe to fly. Aviation
activities are closely regulated to insure that they maintain a very high degree
of safety. Students are not permitted to fly until their instructor is convinced
that they have obtained the skills necessary to safely operate the aircraft.
A large portion of a students training is spent practicing what to do in
the unlikely event that an engine stops functioning, you would do what you were
trained to do, select a good landing site and land.
Please feel free to discuss your safety concerns with any of our staff.
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Are the tests
tough? To
obtain a student pilot certificate, no test is required.
However, before obtaining a private pilot license, a student pilot is
required to pass two different tests. One
is called a “practical examination” of flying ability where a student pilot
must demonstrate to an examiner that they can handle a plane safely by taking
the examiner on a “check
ride.” The other test is a
“written” exam in which you will be asked questions about flying rules and regulations, some questions about the
aircraft you will be flying and you will be asked to work
out the details of a hypothetical flight. You
will have successfully accomplished all of these tasks with your instructor
before you take the actual tests. Once
you have successfully completed your pilot training you will be able to
participate in activities that you have only dreamed about before.
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Is
it difficult learning how to fly?
Learning may not be as hard as you think
. In fact, each year thousands of people from all walks of life learn to fly by
obtaining their private pilot’s license. Some continue their training to get
an instrument rating or additional certificates such as flight instructor,
commercial pilot or even ATP (Airline Transport Pilot). However most people are
content with a pilot’s certificate which permits them to fly themselves and
non-paying passengers virtually anywhere they want in good weather.
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What
do the different ratings enable me to do?
The Private Pilot
License rating allows you to carry passengers anywhere you want in good weather.
The Commercial
License allows you to carry passengers for hire.
The Instrument
Rating enables you to fly in weather conditions that require special instruments
to navigate in less that ideal weather.
The Multi-Engine
Rating enables you to fly Twin Engine airplanes with passengers.
The Instructor
Rating enables you to teach people to fly.
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Who are the pilots
of Flying Scotchman?
Our students and renters come from all walks of life - students,
teachers, business owners, police, firemen, medical professionals - young, old,
male, female! All from different places, different states, different countries
but bound together by the ability to experience the exhilaration of piloting an
aircraft. Let us add you to our roster of flyers! We’d be glad to put you in
touch with current and past students of ours, or maintenance customers, and let
them tell what they like about us! email
scotsman@bitstream.net
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Do I need to pass a physical?
You must hold a Third Class Medical Certificate. This is much like
an annual physical from your family doctor. We can provide you with the names of
doctors located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area who can issue you this
certificate.
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Flying
Scotchman, Inc.