FAQ
What is Part 61 Flight Training?
What kind of training you are providing?
Am I eligible for a student pilot certificate?
How do I get a student pilot certificate?
How long are my student pilot certificate and my medical certificate valid?
What is a medical certificate?
When do I need a medical certificate?
how do I get a medical certificate?
what exactly does “Instrument Current” mean?
Q: What is Part 61 Flight Training?
A: Flight schools that operate under rules governed by FAR 61 are granted more flexibility than part 141 schools. Under part 61, the FAA does not require the flight instructor’s curriculum to follow a syllabus. While they must adhere to the educational requirements (what needs to be covered) of the FAA, instructors can choose when and where to cover required materials based on student progress.
Students of a part 61 flight school are not required to complete a formal ground school program. If they wish, students can complete home study courses, or simply review material with a qualified flight instructor. Although not required to complete any formal ground school training, part 61 students must still pass the FAA practical exam for the license they are training for.
A: Flight schools operating under part 141 train within a more structured environment than their part 61 counterparts. Under part 141, flight schools must operate with an FAA approved syllabus. Instructors and students must adhere to the approved syllabus throughout the entire training. Periodically, a student will take stage checks administered by either the chief flight instructor or his/her designees. Students are also required to complete a certain number of hours of classroom instruction or one-on-one ground instruction with a flight instructor. As in a part 61 school, students must pass the FAA practical exam for the license they are training for.
Q: What kind of training you are providing?
A: We provide flight training under Part 61 which can be more flexible with the student schedule and needs.
Q: How do I get started?
A: You start by Contact Us and schedule an introduction flight to get the first impression (you might even not going to like it). ones you're done, one of our instructors will seat with you and explain you what you'll need and how to get it. basically all you'll need to get started is....nothing. sure you'll need to get all the study material for the written test and a medical certificate but you wont need it on the first couples of weeks.
Q: Am I eligible for a student pilot certificate?
A: You are eligible if:
You are at least 16 years old. If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you must be at least 14 years old.
You can read, speak, and understand English
AND
You hold at least a current third-class medical certificate.
Q: How do I get a student pilot certificate?
A: Upon your request, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner will issue you a combined medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate after you complete your physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office.
Q: How long are my student pilot certificate and my medical certificate valid?
A: A student pilot certificate expires 24 calendar months from the month in which it is issued. A third class medical certificate expires:
If under age 40 on the date of examination, at the end of the last day of the 60th month after the month after the date of examination.
If age 40 or older on the date of examination, at the end of the last day of the 24th month after the month after the date of examination
Q: What is a medical certificate?
A: Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a medical certificate as “acceptable evidence of physical fitness on a form prescribed by the Administrator.” The primary goal of the airman medical certification program is to protect not only those who would exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate but also air travelers and the general public.
A person who meets FAA airmen medical standards, based on a medical examination and an evaluation of medical history, is entitled to a medical certificate without restriction or limitation other than the prescribed limitation as to its duration. Individuals required to hold a medical certificate must have it in their personal possession at all times when exercising the privileges for which they are licensed.
Q: When do I need a medical certificate?
A: You need a medical certificate before flying solo in an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. We suggest you get your medical certificate before beginning flight training. This will alert you to any condition that would prevent you from becoming a pilot before you pay for lessons
Q: how do I get a medical certificate?
A: By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner. for a list of AME (aviation medical examiner) click here.
Q: what exactly does “Instrument Current” mean?
A: instrument current by the regulation FAR 61.57(c).
“…no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has…performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought—”
(i) At least six instrument approaches;
(ii) Holding procedures; and
(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.
In addition to instrument current, you must also be Instrument Proficient.
