From the 1903 Wright Flyer to the 777-8 Freighter, a lot has changed in aircraft, and along the way, a lot has also changed in the way pilots are trained. Compared to the technology used to train pilots today, student pilots of the past might as well have been sitting in front of a fan in a cardboard box with crayon drawings of instruments as they made engine noises and imagined themselves soaring through clouds made of cotton balls. 

Although you might think that’s a stretch, the training experiences of today’s student pilots would certainly blow the Wright brothers’ minds.

Flight Simulators

What it is: A flight simulator is a machine specifically designed in the style of a cockpit so that pilots and pilots in training can use computer-generated images to practice flight, including the same tools and aircraft motion they would use and experience during actual flight.

Flight simulators have been around for a while, with the first flight simulator called the Link being used around 1929.  The flight simulators of today are quite different from the Link of 1929 and are even considerably more advanced than the Microsoft games of the 80s. In fact, some of the more advanced flight simulators have been a part of helping aspiring pilots learn become accustomed to flight for decades. Some flight simulators are even so advanced that the FAA will allow student pilots to log their simulator time in their pilot logbook as training time.

• – Benefits: There are some definite benefits to using flight simulators to help prepare student pilots for the actual experience. Student pilots can grow more familiar with running through their checklists and learning every step-by-step procedure and process. They move these elements of flight into their muscle memory. They can also help them practice understanding all the nuances of their gauges and emergency responses. 
  
• – Challenges: The real challenge will probably be pretty clear; a flight simulator is simply not flying, so sometimes student pilots pick up on bad habits in the simulator that end up being crucial to break once they’re in the cockpit. Additionally, the few limitations of flight simulators creates a gap in the experience of flying in the simulator versus flying in the actual aircraft.

Virtual Reality

What it is: Virtual reality is a 3 dimensional environment generated by a computer that allows a person to interact in a physical way with a 360° view of their environment by using special equipment (a headset and sensor gloves).

Virtual Reality is another step forward in traditional flight simulation. In this type of flight training, the student pilot is fully immersed in an environment that looks and feels real. They can turn their head and see the cockpit around them. As a result, these students experience enormous learning advantages over a more traditional flight simulation.

• – Benefits: Students who train using VR end up retaining the knowledge a lot more readily. Although they will still have to memorize checklists, processes, and safety rules, their retention of this information has been proven to increase up to 400%, and the time it takes for student pilots to learn is reduced as well. That’s a pretty large advantage! Students have an opportunity to improve their ability to judge depth perception during flight, too, something that can challenge students once they’re in the actual cockpit. On top of everything, these benefits can also boil down to a reduction in flight training costs.
  
• – Challenges: VR poses very few challenges when it comes to flight training. For flight training schools, the initial investment in VR technology can be pretty steep, but it’s an investment that pays off quickly. The one challenge is that even with VR, student pilots can still develop bad habits in the VR system that are essential to break before they slide into the cockpit.

Big Data

What it is: The internet, technology, and the digital realm create an immense amount of data about pilot training techniques and their results. 

Because so much data is available, studies are continuously completed to analyze the effectiveness of the current standards in pilot training. As a result, the aircraft and pilot training industries have the chance to train in more effective, efficient ways that make flying safer for everyone.

• – Benefits: The aircraft and pilot training industries both can react quickly to changing trends as they have immediate results about what is working and what is not working. Flight schools and the FAA can share data efficiently, helping everyone change their processes and improve how student pilots learn and, therefore, their safety and success rate.
  
• – Challenges: Knee-jerk reactions to a lot of data can create trends that might not be long-lasting. Being sure that data is analyzed in regards to the long-term benefits of changes to the industry is essential. What might be the next big thing today could be an embarrassing waste of time tomorrow.

Certainly, if the Wright brothers could step into a flight training school today, they would not believe their eyes. Their plane was made from timber that they covered with fabric, and today, pilots train based on data and using technology that simulates flying in such a realistic fashion that even experienced pilots say they’re engaged by it. As technology changes the way pilots learn to fly, the industry can only grow and improve. 

If a passion for flight overwhelms you, then you understand the draw that earning your pilot license has. You can’t get enough of that sense of total freedom as you navigate your way through the sky. Piloting produces dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins: all essential for happiness and that rush you get when you slide into the pilot’s seat. A sport pilot license can provide you with that experience of freedom with plenty of advantages over any other pilot certificate.

Accessibility 

A sport pilot license is actually far more accessible for more people than other avenues for earning your pilot license. In fact, you can earn your certificate with a minimum of 20 hours of flight training, though it sometimes can take as many as 35-40. Even at the top of the range, that’s significantly less than the national average of 50-60 hours it takes to earn your private pilot certificate. 

Not only do the training requirements make the sport license more attractive to more people, but the fact that you don’t have to participate in a medical screening opens the door to flying for plenty of capable, safe pilots. The FAA passes restrictions on individuals who currently have or have experienced in the past color blindness, allergies that require allergy medication, ear problems, a high pulse or high blood pressure, any past history of substance dependence including alcohol or drugs, diabetes, angina, any form of heart disease, any past heart surgery including pacemaker placement, any nervous system issues, or a variety of mental health. The key here is the phrase “in the past.” That means no matter what your current health is, you could be at risk of not passing the health screening if you’ve experienced some pretty widespread and treatable health issues. With a sport pilot license, you aren’t required to go through the medical screening, so as long as you are in good health now, you’re safe to fly a light sport aircraft.

Not only do the training requirements make the sport license more attractive to more people, but the fact that you don’t have to participate in a medical screening opens the door to flying for plenty of capable, safe pilots. The FAA passes restrictions on individuals who currently have or have experienced in the past color blindness, allergies that require allergy medication, ear problems, a high pulse or high blood pressure, any past history of substance dependence including alcohol or drugs, diabetes, angina, any form of heart disease, any past heart surgery including pacemaker placement, any nervous system issues, or a variety of mental health. The key here is the phrase “in the past.” That means no matter what your current health is, you could be at risk of not passing the health screening if you’ve experienced some pretty widespread and treatable health issues. With a sport pilot license, you aren’t required to go through the medical screening, so as long as you are in good health now, you’re safe to fly a light sport aircraft.

Not only do the training requirements make the sport license more attractive to more people, but the fact that you don’t have to participate in a medical screening opens the door to flying for plenty of capable, safe pilots. The FAA passes restrictions on individuals who currently have or have experienced in the past color blindness, allergies that require allergy medication, ear problems, a high pulse or high blood pressure, any past history of substance dependence including alcohol or drugs, diabetes, angina, any form of heart disease, any past heart surgery including pacemaker placement, any nervous system issues, or a variety of mental health. The key here is the phrase “in the past.” That means no matter what your current health is, you could be at risk of not passing the health screening if you’ve experienced some pretty widespread and treatable health issues. With a sport pilot license, you aren’t required to go through the medical screening, so as long as you are in good health now, you’re safe to fly a light sport aircraft.

A sport pilot license is actually far more 

Not only do the training requirements make the sport license more attractive to more people, but the fact that you don’t have to participate in a medical screening opens the door to flying for plenty of capable, safe pilots. The FAA passes restrictions on individuals who currently have or have experienced in the past color blindness, allergies that require allergy medication, ear problems, a high pulse or high blood pressure, any past history of substance dependence including alcohol or drugs, diabetes, angina, any form of heart disease, any past heart surgery including pacemaker placement, any nervous system issues, or a variety of mental health. The key here is the phrase “in the past.” That means no matter what your current health is, you could be at risk of not passing the health screening if you’ve experienced some pretty widespread and treatable health issues. With a sport pilot license, you aren’t required to go through the medical screening, so as long as you are in good health now, you’re safe to fly a light sport aircraft.

Economics

One of the major benefits of earning your sport pilot license is the cost since it ends up being about 1/3 to ½ the cost of earning a private pilot certificate.  In fact, the entire experience is more economical. If you’re looking at buying even a new light sport aircraft versus any other machine, you could be looking at a difference of well over $100,000. If that doesn’t pique your interest in a sport pilot license, then the cost of fuel most definitely will. Some light sport aircraft can fly for as little as $25 per hour, which simply can’t be found with any license other than the sport pilot certificate. 

Value

Light sport aircraft hold their value over long periods of time, too. They’ve got some of the best resale values of any aircraft, so earning your sport pilot license with the intention of owning a sport plane is a great move to make if you want security when your invest in your machine. Their engines are valued more than other aircraft; the technology is generally more desired and sleek; they’re considered safer than regular airplanes because of installed safety features like ballistic parachutes; and they’re just a more popular way to fly. If you’re looking for something to help you explore your passion for flying while still protecting your investment, earning your sport license is the way to go.

Upkeep

If you’re passionate about all things flying, then you might be interested to know that once you’ve earned your sport pilot license, you can also take steps to maintain your own machine as well. With the proper training, you can avoid paying someone else to keep up with the maintenance requirements. Sport pilots can take a two-day course to learn their Light Sport Repairman-Inspection certificate (LSR-I) to conduct their yearly conditions inspections on their own. With maintenance requirements that are more consistent and less complex, sport pilots can also take the LSR-M 15-day course to learn to maintain their planes independently, too. And the parts for light sport aircraft are simply more accessible; in fact, many locations have all the parts to assemble an entire plane on-site, providing you with the security of knowing you’ll be able to get whatever parts you need when you need them. If you love to fly and would love to know your plane inside and out, then the sport pilot route is the right path for you. 

If you’ve been captured by the passion and freedom a pilot license offers, then you know nothing else will satisfy you until your dream is achieved. You’ve got many options for reaching your goal to sit in the pilot’s seat, but if you’re looking for a way to fly for your own personal engagement and enrichment, then the sport pilot license really can’t be beat.

Stop dreaming and start flying. Call or text us today at  (757) 821-7355, and we will get you on the flight schedule.   

How to Earn a Private Pilot License

Earning your private pilot license comes with plenty of benefits. From having the chance to see things from a different perspective – literally and figuratively – to demonstrate your ability to commit to a goal and accomplish it, you get a whole lot more out of learning to fly than simply getting where you need to go at a faster pace. With a private pilot license, you’re allowed to fly any non-turbojet plane that weighs under 12,500 pounds, opening plenty of doors for new experiences and exciting adventures. If you’ve got the ambition and desire to earn your private pilot license, here are the steps you need to take to accomplish your goal.

General Eligibility

Your first step is to check your eligibility. In order to meet the eligibility criteria for a private pilot certificate, you’ve got to be at least 16 to fly a glider or balloon or 17 to fly anything else. You’ve also got to be able to “read, speak, write, and understand the English language,” according to the Code of Federal Regulations.

Basic Training

The next step is to go through your basic knowledge training. Once you’ve completed either in-person training or home study based on aeronautical knowledge, you will have to have a logbook endorsed by an authorized instructor who can attest to your knowledge; this in-person or home study is called your “ground training.” That instructor has to sign off on your readiness for the knowledge test, and then once you get the go-ahead, you have to take and pass the aeronautical knowledge test.

Aeronautical Knowledge Test

Once your professional trainer has confirmed that you’re ready to take the test based on your ground training, you’ll be given the Private Pilot Knowledge Test that includes – but is not limited to – the following topics:

· Federal Aviation Regulations related to private pilot policies,

· National Transportation Safety Board requirements for accident reporting,

· Applicable information from the “Aeronautical Information Manual,”

· Applicable information from the FAA advisory circulars,

· How to use aeronautical charts & how to properly use radio communications,

· How to recognize safely concerns related to weather, avoiding collisions, operation of the aircraft, and turbulence, 

· The various calculations you need to make and principles you need to understand in order to take off, climb, keep the plane balanced, and safely maintain your aircraft during flight,

·  How to make good aeronautical decision making during flight, &

· How to prepare for flight through appropriate steps during preflight actions.

Flight Training & Proficiency

If you’ve passed your knowledge test, it’s time to take to the skies! You’ll have to sign up for in-person training from an authorized instructor. This instructor will keep a logbook that they will endorse to certify that you’re prepared for the “practical test.” Whereas the written knowledge was your ground training, this is your flight training.

As a part of your flight training, according to the FAA, you have to log “at least 40 hours of flight time, of which at least 20 hours are flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the appropriate areas of operation; three hours of cross country; three hours at night, three hours of instrument time; and other requirements specific to the category and class rating sought.” For a private pilot license, the “other requirements” include 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test. Plenty of specifics must be met in both dual and solo flight requirements, so having a qualified and respected instructor to guide you will be an asset as you prepare for this process.

Your Private Pilot Practical Tests include an oral discussion first, followed by a hands-on assessment during which you have to actively demonstrate your ability to operate an aircraft within your specific category and class rating. The oral portion of the test keeps you on the ground and takes about an hour and a half to complete, but according to experts, the actual hands-on flight portion generally takes about an hour to complete. The entire testing process adds up to around 4 hours.

And Up You Go!

As soon as you pass your tests, you are immediately allowed to fly. You don’t have to wait to get your official pilot’s certificate in the mail because you’ll be issued a temporary one, much like your experience waiting for your driver’s license. You can safely and legally take to the skies as soon as you’ve passed your tests!

When it comes to personal goals and dreams, some are easy to set aside, while others will tickle your brain until you achieve them. If the idea of flying is one of those obsessions for you, then it’s time to start the process of earning your private pilot license.

Stop dreaming and start flying. Call or text us today at  (757) 821-7355, and we will get you on the flight schedule. 

Safe Flight Aviation has a modern fleet of airplanes designed to make flying easy and affordable. 

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) are a specific category of aircraft that are designed to be easy to operate, maintain, and affordable. These aircraft are typically used for leisure, sport, and training purposes. They are characterized by their low weight, maximum speed and stall speed limits, and a maximum of two seats. Light Sport aircraft are easy to fly and a great option for new pilots to build time. Light Sport planes are super sexy and always get a lot of attention. One great thing about Light Sport aircraft is that no FAA medical is required to fly. Pilots are only required to have a Sport Pilot License, and a driver’s license serves as the medical requirement. LSA planes are super safe, and all LSA aircraft at Safe Flight have a ballistic parachute installed for added safety. You can earn your Light Sport, Private Pilot License, and commercial in an LSA. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines Light Sport Aircraft as aircraft that have a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 1,320 pounds (600 kg) for land planes and 1,430 pounds (650 kg) for seaplanes, a maximum stall speed of not more than 45 knots (52 mph) and a maximum airspeed in level flight of not more than 138 knots (158 mph). They must also have a fixed landing gear and a single, reciprocating engine.

The concept of Light Sport Aircraft was introduced in the United States in 2004 as a way to make flying more accessible to a wider range of people by reducing the regulatory burden and costs associated with more complex and expensive aircraft. The FAA introduced a new category of pilot certification, known as Sport Pilot, which requires less training and experience than a traditional pilot license.

One of the main benefits of Light Sport Aircraft is it’s affordability. They are less expensive to purchase, maintain and operate compared to traditional aircraft, making them accessible to a wider range of individuals and organizations. They are also simpler to operate, which makes them ideal for flight training and sport flying.

Another benefit of Light Sport Aircraft is their versatility. LSA are designed to be able to operate from a variety of surfaces, including paved runways and grass strips. This makes them ideal for use in a variety of different environments, from urban areas to remote wilderness regions. LSA serves a multitude of missions. 

Light Sport Aircraft are a specific category of aircraft that are designed to be easy to operate, maintain, and affordable. LSAs have a variety of benefits, including lower costs, simplicity of operation, and versatility. Light Sport Aircraft have opened up a new world of possibilities for many people to access and enjoy the beauty of flying, and it’s a segment that will continue to grow in the future.

Ready to start flying? Call or text us at  (757) 821-7355

Earning a private pilot certificate is a significant accomplishment that requires a combination of ground school and flight training. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets the requirements for obtaining a private pilot certificate. The process can vary depending on the individual’s prior experience and the flight school they choose. Here is a general overview of the steps required to earn a private pilot certificate.

Meet the eligibility requirements: In order to be eligible for a private pilot certificate, an individual must be at least 17 years old, able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, and pass a medical examination, unless you are seeking a sport pilot certificate. A sport pilot does not require a medical review and is a great option for older pilots. The PPL medical examination must be conducted by an FAA-approved medical examiner and must be renewed at one, two, or five years depending on the pilot’s age and medical class needed.

Obtain a student pilot certificate: Before starting flight training, an individual will get a student pilot certificate from the FAA. This can be done by completing an application with your CFI. You will need to have your driver’s license, State ID, and passport for this part of the process. 

Complete ground school training: Ground school training is an essential part of the process and covers the theoretical knowledge necessary to safely fly an aircraft. The training includes subjects such as aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, and regulations. Ground school training can be completed in a traditional classroom setting or through an online program. After ground school, students must complete the written exam:

FAA written exam: Regardless of the license you are seeking, students must pass the knowledge test, which covers basic aeronautical knowledge, weather, navigation, and federal aviation regulations. Each certification has a knowledge test that must be taken at a designated FAA testing center. 

Complete flight training: After completing ground school training, an individual must complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight training, which must include at least 20 hours of solo flight time. The flight training includes both basic maneuvers and complex maneuvers such as cross-country navigation, emergency procedures, and night flying. Sport pilots only need to complete 20 hours of flight training, but it should be noted that completing in the minimum time is not typical. 

Pass a practical test (Check ride): Once the flight training is completed, an individual must pass a practical test, also known as a check ride. The practical test includes an oral exam and a flight test, which is conducted by an FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE). The test covers the individual’s knowledge and skills, including takeoff, landing, navigation, and emergency procedures.

Obtain a private pilot certificate: After passing the practical test, an individual will be issued a private pilot certificate, which is valid for life. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the pilot must complete a certain amount of flight hours and pass a flight review every 24 months in order to maintain the certificate. A good pilot is always learning and must stay current. 

In conclusion, earning a private pilot certificate requires a combination of ground school and flight training, passing a medical examination, obtaining a student pilot certificate, passing a practical test, and meeting the minimum flight hours requirement set by the FAA. The process can take several months or more to complete, and the cost can vary depending on the flight school and the individual’s prior experience. For those willing to put in the time and effort, the rewards of becoming a private pilot are well worth it.

Ready to start flying? Call or text us today at 757-821-7355.