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Rogue Leg Aviation

 

Choosing a School and Program

One of the most daunting parts of any journey is beginning. A learning journey to become a pilot is no exception, especially with the widely varied options available. One of the most important decisions to make is where to train, and who to train with.


There are two options for training programs known as part 141 and part 61. The name indicates the Federal regulation number governing the training. I train students under part 61, which is a very flexible type of program and can be built and altered to suit the student. A part 141 school teaches students using a structured curriculum similar to what universities use. In fact, part 141 schools are often paired with college degree programs, and they mesh well together.


Another consideration is to fly with a flight school or a flying club. Flight schools tend to be more expensive than flying clubs and may only offer airplanes for rent while actively training. I teach as an independent flight instructor with a flying club, which will permit you to rent aircraft after earning your certificate to build hours toward other certificates or fly for fun.

Eligibility for Private Pilot

Minimum requirements include:

  • 17 years of age at time of practical test (16 to solo)
  • Obtain a 3rd class medical certificate
  • 40 hours total flight time
    • 10 hours of solo including 5 cross-country
    • 3 hours night
  • Read, write, and speak the English language
  • Pass both the knowledge and practical tests


It is important to note that the times listed for eligibility are minimum requirements, though many need more time to gain enough proficiency to pass the test. The average is about 70 flight hours.

Medical Certificate

The FAA requires all applicants for a private pilot certificate to hold a third class medical certificate. In order to obtain one, you must visit an Airmen Medical Examiner (AME). It is similar to a check-up you may have received from your doctor but will grant you the ability to fly an airplane! I highly recommend obtaining a medical certificate prior to beginning training, though one is only required prior to solo operations. Here is a link to the FAA website to help you find one, or your can search the Internet for one:

Recommended Equipment

Here are some equipment recommendations prior to starting training:


    • Headset - this is a critical piece of equipment. Though pricey, a Bose A30 is an excellent choice. David Clark makes fine headsets as well, and there are many budget friendly options available like the RA200. 


    • Tablet - a good tablet will permit you to use electronic flight bags (EFBs). This is how modern pilots fly and contains all resources and information a pilot needs in one location. Two EFB programs are available, ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot. Both are very comparable, ForeFlight subscriptions are a bit more expensive, and Foreflight only works on iPad and iPhone whereas Garmin works on both Android and Apple devices. I personally use ForeFlight on an iPad Mini. The iPad Mini serves well due to the restricted space on a flight deck, though it is harder to see at times than the larger devices.


    • Window or Yoke Mount -you should also consider a mount for your device which will permit you to keep your eyes up away from your lap. A window mount is recommended, and the best are made by RAM. Make certain you get the suction mount and piece to connect your tablet.


    •  Fuel Stick and Tester - the calibrated FuelHawks are a good choice to check fuel quantity, and a GATS jar will enable you to check fuel quality. Having your own eliminates the problem of finding out one is not in the airplane.


    • Home Simulator -if you have a home computer capable of running X-Plane, it is a very realistic simulator and can help you train without the expense of an airplane, and at home. It works best in conjunction with realistic peripherals such as a yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder pedals. Microsoft Flight Simulator is another option, though X-Plane tops it in terms of realism.


    • ADSB - Last, an ADSB receiver which is compatible with your chosen EFB. This is an invaluable tool for situational awareness while doing solo operations. This device permits you to see traffic right on your map!