Private Pilot Training

The Private Pilot training is broken down into several different stages, some of which have a couple of different phases.

The first stage is referred to as the Pre-Solo Stage .  There are two phases to Pre-Solo training.  First, clients must be taught to control the plane at altitude.  Clients learn to fly a wide range airspeeds and bank angles.  Students learn to apply wind drift correction angles, to perform basic navigation, and to handle aerodynamic and mechanical emergency situations.  Once a reasonable degree of proficiency is developed, the focus shifts to learning to land.  This second phase is the most difficult part of the training, and leads to the most rewarding event of the process... your solo.  When you are soloed, your instructor will get out of the plane, and then you will perform several landings by your self!   At this time you will likely have somewhere between 15 and 30 hours. 

The Post Solo/Pre-Cross Country Stage follows.  During this time you will complete a couple of hours of landings by your self under an instructor's supervision from the ground.   During your next dual lessons, you will learn to take off and land on short runways, and you will simulate operations to grass fields.  You are also introduced to flying purely off of the instruments with no outside visual reference, simulating inadvertent prolonged flight in clouds or over featureless terrain at night or over water.  Finally, we perform ten night landings.

Some time during this stage you should complete the FAA Written Test, which is a 60 question multiple choice test that is given by computer.  Preparing for the test is relatively easy, but requires studying the review book for an hour to an hour and a half a night for two to three weeks before the test, as needed.   During your self study, your instructor is available to help you with material you do not understand.

The Cross Country Stage begins after the Post Solo Stage, during which we perform at least three hours of navigation flights to destinations that are between thirty minutes and ninety minutes away.  Typical destinations include, Salisbury, Ocean City, or Hagerstown (Maryland), Martinsburg (West Virginia), Wilmington (Delaware), Atlantic City (New Jersey), Harrisburg and Lancaster (Pennsylvania), and Richmond, and Norfolk (Virginia).  There are no rules governing the specific location of the destination airport chosen other than a stipulation to land at least 50 NM away from your departure point.  Therefore, if you have a particular preference for a flight to somewhere not listed, you should suggest it.   Our major consideration in the selection of the destinations is to provide you with sufficient experience with operations at airports with control towers.  One of these navigation flights must also be a two hour round trip at night.  Following these dual training flights, you will perform 5 or more hours of solo navigations during daylight to the above or similar destinations.

Finally, comes the Pre Private Stage, during which we review for the final exam.  The final exam is performed with a Designated Examiner, who evaluates candidates for the FAA.  Your "D.E." will sit down with you for an hour and ask you important questions that you should already know by heart by the end of your training.  You will then fly for an hour to an hour and a half and demonstrate the maneuvers that you have learned in training.  To review for this event, we will perform no fewer than three practice flights and go over all the pre-solo, pre-cross country, and cross country maneuvers.  We will also review all of the knowledge areas so that  your retention of the material can be confirmed.   If you operate in a smooth and safe manner you will become the proud owner of a new Private Pilot Certificate once you land.