Thank you for your interest in learning to fly at Charlottesville Flight Center.  We look forward to working with you as you start your training.  We enjoy what we do, and we know that you'll love learning this skill as we teach it to you.  First, let us take an opportunity to explain some aspects of the process.

The FAA requires that all applicants for a Private Pilot license, both airplane and Helicopter, have at least 40 hours of flight time.  Of that time, 20 hours must be with an instructor (called dual flight time) and 10 hours must be flown with you as the sole occupant of the aircraft (called solo flight time).  The remaining 10 hours can be either dual or solo.  You are also required to pass a cursory medical examination, a computer-based knowledge test on aviation theory, and a practical flight test.

Nevertheless, it is rare that a student will be ready for the practical exam right at 40 hours.  Based on our own syllabus of training, CFC believes that 45 hours is more realistic assuming that training is accomplished on a regular basis.  Please understand that you can easily go over 45 hours if you do not fly on a regular basis.

Here is the general order of pilot training.

• You will be assigned a primary flight instructor.  The first 10-15 hours in the air will be flown dual while learning all fundamental maneuvers.

• In between flight lessons, you will be studying the theory behind what you are learning in the airplane.  Video material, comprehension exercises, and one-on-one ground instruction will supplement this with your instructor.

• You will visit an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to get your physical.  He will issue you a medical certificate and student pilot certificate.

• Just before your first solo flight, you will have a phase check flight with the Chief Flight Instructor to make sure you are ready for the next phase of your training.

• After your first solo, you'll learn navigation to other airports.  Included in this will be procedures at non-towered airports as well as grass and short field landings.  You will also do some solo flights at this stage that allow you to practice the maneuvers you have learned.

• Next is a series of cross-country flights that will test your navigation skills.  You will fly dual and solo to a variety of large and small airports around the state.  Most students find this part of training to be particularly rewarding.

• When you have completed your ground study, you will take a 60-question computer-based knowledge test.  A 70% is required to pass.

• After improving on all of your flying skills and getting another phase check by your flight instructor, you will take a practical test with a designated flight examiner.  The test consists of both an oral and a flight portion.  When you pass this, you will be a Private Pilot!