The third-class medical certificate ensures that the pilot meets the minimum medical standards necessary for safe flight operations. It assesses various aspects of the pilot’s health, including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, general physical condition, and mental fitness. Pilots must undergo a medical examination by an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to obtain this certification.

The third-class medical certificate is a requirement for pilots seeking a private pilot license (PPL) or operating certain types of aircraft for non-commercial purposes. It serves as a crucial component of ensuring aviation safety by confirming that pilots are physically and mentally fit to operate aircraft responsibly.

Operations Requiring Third-Class Medical

• When exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or student pilot certificate, except when operating under the conditions and limitations.
• When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and acting as the pilot in command or as a required flightcrew member.
• When taking a practical test in an aircraft for a recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate.
• When performing the duties as an Examiner in an aircraft when administering a practical test or proficiency check for an airman certificate, rating, or authorization.

Duration of Third Class Medical Certificate

A third-class medical certificate is valid for a specified duration, depending on the age of the pilot:

1. Under 40 years old: A third-class medical certificate is valid for 60 months.
2. 40 years old and over: A third-class medical certificate is valid for 24 months.

Application Process

The application process for a third-class medical certificate involves several steps:

1. MedXpress: Pilots are required to complete FAA Form 8500-8, also known as the Application for Airman Medical Certificate. This form collects personal and medical history information. You can complete this form online through the FAA’s MedXpress website.
2. Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME): Pilots must schedule an appointment with an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to undergo the medical examination. The cost of the exam is not set by the FAA, so it may be anywhere from $75-$200 depending on where you live.
3. Medical Examination: During the medical examination, the AME will assess various aspects of the pilot’s health, including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness.
4. Submission and Review: Once the examination is complete, the AME will submit the medical certificate application to the FAA for review. With you potentially leaving the doctor’s office with your medical certificate in hand barring any underlying medical issues.

MedXpress

The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requiring an FAA Medical Clearance or Medical Certificate to electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into MedXPress will be available for your FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to review at the time of your medical examination.

Third-Class Medical Requirments

Mental

Mental standards for a third-class airman medical certificate are:

Obtaining a third-class medical certificate is a crucial first step for aspiring pilots pursuing a private pilot license. Understanding the FAA’s medical requirements, the application process, examination procedures, and disqualifying factors is essential for ensuring a smooth certification process. By adhering to the FAA’s medical standards and seeking guidance from qualified medical professionals when necessary, pilots can maintain their health and safety while enjoying the privileges of flight.

Of all the acronyms in aviation, this must be the silliest… ATOMATOFLAMES? Surely you can’t be serious!? I am serious and don’t call me Shirley.

It is difficult to remember all the regulations, rules, and procedures. But, it is not that difficult to remember a few acronyms that jog your memory

ATOMATOFLAMES is one of the longest and most misunderstood acronyms commonly taught to student pilots. It is a list of instruments and equipment for flight according to FAR 91.205.

What is 91.205?

91.205 is the regulation for powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S. airworthiness certificates. Specifying the required equipment for aircraft operation.

FAR 91.205 (b) is for visual-flight rules (day) and 91.205(c) is for visual-flight rules (night).  91.205(d) is for Instrument flight rules, which requires everything in 91.205(b)and(c).

Isn’t FAA legal writing excellent?

Like most FAA regulations it is important to know and understand these rules. However, it is more important to be familiar with and be able to apply the regulations to your operations. Just knowing an acronym is great trivia, but as you will see, it has many gaps and will not guarantee you are operating safely.

What is ATOMATOFLAMES?

ATOMATOFLAMES is the acronym for VFR required equipment during day flight according to 91.205(b). It is often also referred to as ‘Tomato Flames.’

ATOMATOFLAMES Acronym:

A – airspeed indicator
T – tachometer (for each engine)
O – oil pressure gauge (for each engine using a pressure system)
M – manifold pressure gauge (for each altitude engine)
A – altimeter
T – temperature gauge (for each liquid-cooled engine)
O – oil temperature gauge (for each engine)
F – fuel gauge
L – landing gear position indicator
A – anti-collision lights
M – magnetic compass
E – ELT
S – safety belts

This list is quite thorough, but also leaves many questions? Most students will notice that it doesn’t include many aircraft parts. Do we need seats? What about wings? This list covers most of the practical instruments inside the cockpit. It is not intended to be the master list of every feature required in airplane manufacturing and design.

Do I need to know this for my checkride?

Absolutely you do.  Now, if you don’t have it memorized verbatim, that is okay, but you certainly need to know where to look (in the FARAIM 14CFR91.205) and be able to understand that text.  If you’re not sure how to interpret the text in the FARAIM and apply it during your oral exam with the FAA, check out this video here.

What happens when any of the required equipment is missing or broken?

Well, that’s a great question, and one you are likely to hear on your private pilot, instrument pilot, and commercial pilot checkrides.  Just about every checkride you take you will be expected to explain in detail how to deal with inoperative equipment, especially if it required equipment.  For a thorough explanation of what you need to know for your checkride, use our checkride prep courses for Private, IFR, Commercial Pilot, and CFIs.

You can access all of our checkride prep courses here.

Why Do I need to know ATOMATOFLAMES?

This regulation mostly only applies to general aviation smaller aircraft. Turbine-powered aircraft and large turboprops will have more required equipment and features. This list will work nicely in a Cessna 182, but if you hop in an Airbus A350, you will find lots more equipment and perhaps even some equipment missing.

As a general aviation pilot, you should remember that 91.205 is a great place to look if you are going to fly a new airplane. Each section of required equipment may also have exceptions based on aircraft age and operation.

It is important for pilots to know how to find, interpret, and use the regulations to ensure their operations are safe and legal.

Just memorizing an acronym likely won’t be helpful but knowing why 91.205 exists and how to use it is important.

Can you think of any other acronyms you could make from ATOMATOFLAMES? Let us know below!

Related Posts:

• Visual Flight Rules – What is VFR?
• Instrument Rating Requirements
• IFR Flight – What is IMC?
• Loss of Comms Under IFR

VFR flight uses ground references like roads, lakes, terrain, and other noticeable landmarks from the air to navigate. To fly VFR, pilots must maintain VMC, or visual meteorological conditions.

Visual flight rules flying is only allowed when the weather is good enough for pilots to clearly see where they are going. All of these rules and regulations are taught to every new private pilot.

When Do Pilots use Visual Flight Rules?

Flying in VFR requires certain visibility requirements and clearance away from the clouds. This is to keep airplanes from colliding. If a pilot wants to fly in the clouds or low visibility, they will need an IFR clearance and be licensed and trained and in an airplane equipped for IFR flight.

IFR flying requires extra training and is restricted by air traffic control. There are no restrictions to VFR flying as long as the weather is suitable. VFR flights can save time by allowing for direct routing.

Private pilots first learn to fly using VFR. The next step for private pilots is to start training for their instrument rating.

Some commercial planes conduct their flying VFR. On short flights this can save them time and money by getting direct routing and flying any altitude they would like.

VFR Flight

VFR flying allows for some of the most impressive views any human can see. It is similar to how birds fly around. There is complete freedom and truly showcases the sights of earth.

FLY8MA instructor Jon shows the beauty of VFR flying by flying around Alaska.

In the video, you see how he references the mountains and glaciers to fly from airport to airport. He uses the rivers to check his course against a map in the plane. VFR flying requires more than just spotting landmarks on the ground though. Pilots are required to pass a written test, an oral exam, and a flight test to prove they can safely operate an airplane in VFR conditions.

If you are interested in becoming a pilot, you will first learn how to fly with visual flight rules. You will learn to navigate and fly long distances using the ground and a VFR sectional chart.

FLY8MA offers a free private pilot ground school and a premium version that is the first step in your journey to becoming a VFR pilot.

The most failed Private Pilot Written Test Questions

Ever wonder what the toughest questions are that you will see on your FAA Private Pilot written exam?  In this article we will go over each of the questions we have seen to be the most difficult for students.  If you want to see where you stand and try your luck on the quiz before we get started, click on “Start Quiz” below!

Use the Discount Code DONTMISS10 and get 10% OFF either your first subscription payment or course HERE!

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Pilot?

The cost to get your pilot license ultimately depends on what type of pilot license you want to obtain. The level of license you need is determined by what type of flying you’re looking to do. For example, a Sport Pilot license may be the best fit if you are looking to fly for fun, whereas a Commercial Pilot license would be the first big step in an aviation career. 

Different licenses require different levels of ground and flight instruction and have different testing requirements.  It can be complicated to understand, so we’ll make it simple with our friend “Jim” who wants to become a pilot.  Let’s follow “Jim” along as he works his way towards becoming an airline pilot.  

At the end of this article you’ll understand not only how much it costs for each type of pilot’s license, but also why it cost that much, and how to save serious $$$ on your flight training.

By the way, there is actually no such thing as a pilot license, the correct term in aviation is a Pilot Certificate, but hey, almost everyone calls it a license so we’ll just go with that for our purposes explaining this today.

If you’re interested in the cheapest aviation certifications you can obtain, you can click here to view our article on the cheapest aviation certifications you can obtain. 

Step #1 to Becoming a Pilot

A private pilot license costs $8,000-$12,000….great…why is that?

What kind of pilot license should you get?  Actually, it doesn’t matter, if you want to just fly for fun, or be a commercial pilot, everyone starts at the bottom with a Private Pilot License (we’ll save talking about the sport pilot licenses until the end of the article). 

It’s January 1st and Jim made a New Year’s resolution to become a pilot. He begins his flight training right away.  His journey will consist of several different certificates or “pilot license levels”.  The progression of becoming an airline pilot looks like this:

1. Private Pilot License (VFR)
2. Instrument Rating (IFR)
3. Commercial Pilot License
4. Flight Instructor License (CFI)
5. Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

Now we know Jim has to get his Private Pilot License first before his instrument rating or commercial pilot license.  So, what does that cost Jim?

Private Pilot License Cost

Cost to Become a Private Pilot

Jim will need to do a couple of things to get his Private Pilot License. He’ll need:

1. Pilot Ground School (an online course works great for this) ~ $350
2. Pass the FAA Private Pilot Written Test ~ $175
3. Get an FAA Medical Certificate ~ $125
4. Flight Training in the Plane ~ $7,000-$11,000 (why is it a range and not a set price?)
5. FAA Checkride (your flight test, kind of like a driving test for your Driver’s license) ~ $650

Total:  $8,300-$12,300

Learn about how our Private Pilot Ground School can help you save money getting your private pilot certificate.

So Jim begins his online ground school on January 1st, and that helps him prepare for both his flight training and the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam (60 questions, multiple-choice test).  He signed up for ground school at FLY8MA.com and completed it in 2 weeks, spending about 50 hours of total study time on the courses.  Since Jim completed his ground school at FLY8MA.com, he had a great foundation of knowledge and easily passed his FAA written exam.  Jim has spent about $500 so far.

He then went to his local flight school (he chose his flight school using our guide here) and took his first flight lesson.  The flight lessons vary in cost depending on how long each lesson lasts, but he planned accurately that each lesson would be $300-$450. After his first lesson, Jim asked his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) for a recommendation on which doctor to use to get his Medical Certificate.

Jim goes to the recommended AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) and gets his FAA Medical for $125.

Jim studies hard, flies at least 5 days per week, and earns his Private Pilot License on February 15th after completing his Private Pilot Checkride with the FAA for $650.  

All together, Jim spent about 6 weeks learning to fly and earned his pilot’s license for $8,527.  Jim has also logged a total of 44.2 flight hours which is just over the FAA minimum requirement of 40 flight hours to become a private pilot, but well under the national average in 2020 of 73.1 hours.

What did the 40 flight training hours consist of?

While we do explain this in a lot more detail in another article here.  We’ll explain here briefly what you are getting in your 40 hours of flight training.

Assume you are paying $100/hr to rent a plane and paying a flight instructor $60/hr for the time they spend training you both in the air and on the ground in your briefing sessions.

This is how Jim racked up a bill of $7,425 from the flight school, plus his other fees came to his total of $8,527 for his Private Pilot License.

Instrument Rating Cost

You’ve probably heard things about pilots who fly VFR (visual flight rules) or IFR (instrument flight rules).  We’ve all heard about how JFK Jr. crashed his plane in bad weather because he didn’t know how to fly on instruments.  Jim heard about that too and doesn’t want that to happen to him, so he decides on March 1st to get his instrument rating.  

Just like any other type of pilot license, Jim has to take a “ground school” course to study for both flight training and for the FAA Pilot Test (each level of pilot license has a required FAA written exam, and you are required by the FAA to receive ground training and an endorsement specifying you are ready for the test prior to being allowed to take the written exam).

It’s important to note Jim does not have to get his instrument rating right now, but it is a good idea to get it before you proceed onward to your commercial pilot license, as no company will hire you without that rating (note: in aviation, we have “certificates” which are commonly referred to as licenses, and we have “ratings”.  You must first earn a certificate, and then you can add additional “ratings” to it, such as an instrument rating).

Jim again studies hard and takes about 3 weeks to complete the IFR online ground school course at FLY8MA.com, and receives the endorsement to take the written test from the course, and then completes the test at his local testing center.  While studying, he continues flying on his own, taking short trips of 50 miles or more that count towards his “cross country” flight time, of which he needs at least 50 hours worth before he can take his IFR checkride.

Jim also heads back to the flight school around early April and begins working on his required 15 flight hours of training with his instrument flight instructor (CFII).  By late April, Jim has logged 115.8 hours total and spent about $17,522 since January 1st.  

Jim now just needs to spend another $650 to take the FAA Instrument Pilot Checkride, which he is guaranteed to pass since he took the online course at FLY8MA.com.  It’s important to note every flight student that has used the FLY8MA has passed their checkride on their first try, which saves a lot of money.  If you fail a checkride, you have to pay for it all over again, plus pay for extra training before you can retry, which adds to the cost quickly.  Luckily, Jim passed his checkride no problem and has now spent just over $18,000 to become an instrument rated private pilot with about 117.2 hours of flight time.

Commercial Pilot License

So how much does a commercial pilot license cost? Well, hopefully, you can see now that for Jim, or for anyone to become a commercial pilot, they must first complete their private pilot training and likely earn an instrument rating.  Part of why it makes good financial sense to get your instrument rating right after you get your private pilot license is because you will need to reach a total of 250 flight hours logged before you can become a commercial pilot.  As you can see in our cost breakdown, the flight time (renting an airplane) is generally the most expensive part of becoming a pilot.  If you need to log the flight time anyway, you might as well let that time count towards earning your instrument rating rather than just flying around for fun.

The initial 117.2 flight hours Jim had logged up to the point of him getting his instrument rating all counts towards the 250 hour requirement of becoming a commercial pilot.  That means Jim needs to get 10 hours or so of training from his flight instructor (CFI) and then fly around for another 122.8 hours by himself (he could fly all of that time with a CFI on board, but he would have to pay for that flight instructor to sit next to him, so flying by himself or with friends to help split the costs probably makes the most sense).

This flying to build up flight time is some of the most fun Jim will have as a pilot.  It’s now May 1st and summer is right around the corner.  The weather is getting nicer, and Jim’s main job at this point is just renting an airplane and flying wherever he wants in the country building up his flight time towards 250 total hours.  Jim is also spending more money per week than a gambling addict in a casino at this point, but hey, it’s all counting towards him getting that great job as a commercial pilot.

It takes Jim about 2 months of flying around for fun, having the vacation of a lifetime as he travels in his rented plane to new places and studies the Commercial Pilot Ground School course in his free time.  By July 1st, Jim has 240 flight hours and is ready to take the FAA written exam for his commercial pilot license!  He flies 10 more hours with his CFI, hits the magic 250 mark, and schedules his FAA Commercial Pilot Checkride.

On July 15th, Jim becomes a commercial pilot with an instrument rating.  He’s flown just over 250 hours in the last 7 and a half months, and spent $33,212 (thanks to the courses at FLY8MA.com not only preparing him well for his training, but also providing lots of tips to save money along the way).

Jim can go get a job now flying as a commercial pilot and start earning money to pay back those loans he took out to pay for his training.  Common jobs for the newly minted commercial pilot include skydiver pilot, advertising banner towing, aerial photography, pipeline patrol, and aerial survey work.  Although, to be honest depending on where you are in the country, some of those jobs may be hard to come by or may be seasonal.  A common way for new commercial pilots to make money and continue building their flight time is to get their “flight instructor license” or in more correct terms, become a CFI (certified flight instructor).  We’ll cover that next.

Cost to Become a Flight Instructor CFI

Our friend Jim decided he wants to make money to pay back some of his loans, and also build a lot of flight time very quickly so he can get that big paying airline pilot job he is really after (just so you know, airline pilots make about $50,000-$60,000 their first year or so on the job.  The $300,000+ wages come later on after you’ve been with the company a few years.  We just want you to have realistic expectations).

Now the best thing Jim can do is begin his CFI training immediately after getting his commercial pilot license so all the information is still fresh in his mind (sorry Jim, you’re going to spend more of your summer studying).  It’s going to take Jim nearly a month of studying to get through the ground school, two required FAA written exams this time, and the ground and flight training he will need to be ready for a long, thorough, and expensive FAA checkride.  A flight instructor license might seem like an easy way to make money and build lots of time quickly in an airplane you are already very familiar with, but the FAA expects those who teach to really know their aviation knowledge inside and out.  

Jim earns his Flight Instructor Certificate on August 15th, 8.5 months to the day since he first decided to become a pilot.  The CFI training cost him an additional $5,400, bringing his total cost to become a pilot to $38,612.  Still pretty good considering some flight schools in the US advertise over $90,000 to get you the same licenses in the same amount of time.  If you want to know why that is, click here.

Airline Transport Pilot License Cost (ATPL)

Now when Jim started his journey to become a pilot, he really wanted to be an airline pilot.  So how much does it cost for an airline pilot license?

Well, your airline pilot license (the proper term is Airline Transport Pilot Certificate) does not have a real “cost” associated with it.  Some people will tell you it costs $90,000 to get an airline pilot license.  Those estimates are quite frankly, arbitrary at best.

The fact is you must have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to get an unrestricted Airline Pilot License.  The cost for you to rent a plane to build that flight time from 250 hours where Jim was, to 1,500 hours would be ($100/hr x 1,250 hours) $125,000 in addition to what Jim already spent becoming a commercial pilot.  That is unrealistic for anyone, and that is why you commonly see new commercial pilots take low paying jobs as flight instructors, banner towers, etc.  For these new commercial pilots, racking up the flight time while their boss pays for the airplane is more valuable than a decent wage.  

So what’s the real cost of an airline pilot license?

The real cost is whatever it cost you to become a commercial pilot (in Jim’s case this was $33,212) plus any additional costs you might spend to get an additional rating or certificate to get hired on at your first job (such as earning your flight instructor certificate).  Once you are hired on at your first commercial pilot job, your company will likely pay for any additional training needed as you build flight time.  Some folks may scare you with the cost of training for your actual ATP license (like the cost of a checkride or simulator training on airline jets), but really the airline will hire you with just 1,500 hours, your commercial pilot certificate, and they will pay for the rest.  So in Jim’s case, he got hired at a flight school, worked there for 18 months, hit 1,500 hours total flight time and was hired as an airline pilot.  Jim essentially paid $38,612 for his airline pilot license.

Sport Pilot License Cost

Now after everything we explained in this article to this point, do you really believe that a Sport Pilot license costs $4,915?  In all reality, while it might be theoretically possible to earn a Sport Pilot License (or more accurately a Sport Pilot Certificate) for under $5,000, it is more likely that it will cost closer to the $8,000 mark.  This is because learning to fly as a sport pilot and learning to fly as a private pilot are both learning to fly.  The only difference between the sport and private pilot certificate is as a sport pilot you will be unable to fly in busy airspace without further training after your FAA checkride, you won’t be able to fly with more than one passenger, and you will not be able to fly at night.  Given that the national average to become a Sport Pilot is 36 hours, you can expect to increase both your Aircraft Rental expense and your flight instructor fees by several thousand dollars.

How do I save money?

Flight training is, unfortunately, very expensive. Fortunately, FLY8MA Flight Training has some great tips on how you can save money throughout your flight training. Click here to learn how you can cut your flight training costs and ensure you are stretching your dollar to the greatest extent possible. 

How to Become a Pilot

People pursue a pilot’s license for a wide range of motivating factors, from a desire to achieve personal growth to pursuing an airline career path. Some aspiring pilots are fortunate to have close friends or relatives with aviation experience, who can provide guidance, advice, and mentorship. However, for many people, learning about aviation is an unfamiliar new territory. 

Don’t be a Flight School Dropout 

 Did you know 8 out of 10 people who start flight training don’t actually get their pilot’s license? While a small percentage of people stop flight training for medical reasons – most are smart, sharp, motivated, and have the potential to be excellent pilots. So why do they quit? Read on to discover why people quit flying before they get their certificate – and how you can make sure you don’t. 

The top three reasons student pilots stop flying are:

• 1) Becoming frustrated with flight training: Having an unprepared or unorganized instructor can make your lessons feel unproductive and wasteful. Having a mediocre ground school can mean you start flying without understanding basic aviation concepts. This can also make students feel like they don’t have the skills or abilities to successfully reach their goals. 

• 2) Running out of funds: If you do not have the funds to pay for all of your flight training, consider applying for scholarships, getting financing, or other options so you don’t have to stop before you can really get started. 

• 3) Feeling like flying isn’t enjoyable anymore: The “fun” of flying can be lost when you put too much pressure on yourself or compare your journey to others who learn faster. Learning to fly is about the journey, not just the destination. 

Becoming a pilot is a desirable goal and rewarding achievement, and you have many options to reach your goals. Although it may seem like a far-off dream, with dedication and consistent effort, most people who meet basic medical requirements are able to earn a private pilot certificate, and more. 

What You Can Do With a Pilot’s License 

When you begin your flight training, you start with your private pilot’s license.  The private pilot license is the first step for all pilots. This is often referred to as a “license to learn.” For people pursuing a career as a pilot, each rating is an important step: 

• Private pilot certificate: Once you have your private pilot certificate, you can fly with passengers and share flight expenses with them, as well as fly volunteer flights for non-profits. You can get paid for a limited number of jobs like towing gliders (with an endorsement) , or demoing aircraft for sale while working as an aircraft salesman. 

• Instrument rating: Once you have your instrument rating, you can “fly by instruments” and operate an aircraft in limited visibility such as fog, clouds, and rain. You will also learn a lot about weather reports, forecasts, and considerations for planning cross-country flights. 

• Commercial pilot certificate: You can get paid to fly and do jobs like aerial surveys, pipeline patrol, news traffic reporting, banner towing, and agricultural flying. This is also a necessary rating to being a flight instructor or airplane transport rating. 

Click here to learn which type of pilot license is right for you and what you can do with your license.

How To Get A Private Pilot License

A big part of getting your private pilot license involves spending time in a small airplane. Some of those hours will be solo, but the majority will be with a certified flight instructor (CFI). You can accomplish your flight time in several ways: 

Enrolling a Flight School

A flight school is the most common route to learn to fly. If you go to a flight school at a local airport, the school may own or lease aircraft, and have instructors on staff available for you to take lessons with. You will have the option of selecting an instructor you relate well to. The school may be a “Part 141 flight school” or a “Part 61 flight school.” A Part 141 school has specific approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to teach a structured and organized program. A 141 program sticks to a rigid schedule and can be completed in the shortest amount of time. If your school is not a 141 flight school, they are a Part 61 flight school.  This means they are governed by Part 61 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Part 61 vs Part 141

This is a complex topic of which school is right for you to choose.  We go into a lot more detail about Part 141 and Part 61 Flight Training Schools here, but for now, let’s just take a quick overview.  You will hear the salesman at the 141 school say, “We can make you a pilot faster for less money”.  You will hear the salesman at the 61 school say, “We can make you a pilot on a flexible schedule, and for less money”.  They are both right and wrong.  The article linked above gives much greater detail, but to summarize:

 Read this if you still have questions about Part 141 vs Part 61 Flight Training.

Working with an Independent Certified Flight Instructor 

Many certified flight instructors own their own trainer airplanes. If you find an instructor you like, you may be able to train with them in their airplane. This can be extremely convenient if they have good schedule availability. The downside of learning to fly in one aircraft is that if the airplane is down for maintenance or repair, you will not be able to fly. 

Joining a Flying Club

Flying clubs are member-run groups that allow members access to airplanes. Flying clubs can be very small with several people and 1-2 aircraft,  or several dozen aircraft at multiple airports. One advantage of learning to fly with a flying club is multiple aircraft available. This means backups are available if one is reserved or down for maintenance. Flying clubs often have instructors who teach part-time while working corporate flying careers (airline, air ambulance, corporate, etc.) If you have a career goal in mind, finding an instructor who can mentor you towards your desired goal can be beneficial.  The advantage to a flying “club” over a flight school is they are generally non-profit groups that keep aircraft rental costs low by relying on volunteer work from their members to maintain the aircraft and facilities.

Buying an Airplane 

It may seem crazy to buy an airplane that you do not know how to fly, but many people do this. No regulation states you must know how to fly an aircraft that you own. In order to learn to fly, you must spend a minimum of 40 hours flying an aircraft. In reality, most people spend much more time learning to fly before they are ready to test with an examiner and get their license.  For people that know that they want to own an aircraft, buying an airplane at the beginning of flight training can mean cost savings in the long run. This won’t make sense for everyone, and you will still have to pay for fuel, maintenance, and insurance, plus the hourly cost of paying your flight instructor.  

You will generally need to find a flight instructor first if this is the route you choose as you will need someone to fly the plane from the place you buy to your home airport where you will train from.  Also, getting acquainted with a more experienced pilot like a flight instructor can help in the process of choosing a good used aircraft to buy (yes, buying a used plane is a lot like buying a used car, they’re not all in the best of shape).

Requirements to Become a Pilot

You must meet certain basic requirements to become a pilot. You are required to be at least 16 years old to fly solo (see § 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots) and be at least 17 years old to get your pilot’s certificate (see § 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General). In addition to that, you also have to be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. To begin flight training (beyond your initial introductory or discovery flight), you need to be either a U.S. Citizen or have the necessary approval through TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program. 

There are two additional requirements you must meet before you can fly solo:

• You must apply for your student pilot certificate through Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA). 

• You must get a medical certificate. Most flying organizations advise that a third-class medical is appropriate for student pilots. You should get a third class unless you have specific concerns and want to make sure you will be able to get a medical certificate. If you are under age 40, the third class medical is good for 60 months. If you are over age 40, the third class medical is good for 24 months.

Taking Your Discovery Flight 

A discovery flight sometimes called a “disco flight” or an introductory flight is your first flying lesson. This is where the fun starts. You will spend about 30 minutes in the air in a small aircraft, possibly a Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee, or Diamond DA40. You will get a chance to take the flight controls and feel how the aircraft handles and turns. This first flight will allow you to experience the joy of flying, and decide if you want to pursue getting your pilot’s license. These introductory flight lessons are usually conducted on good weather days, during calm conditions. The instructor should point out local landmarks and depend on where you live and the airspace, you may even get to fly over your house.

Discovery flights are often offered at a discounted rate and are a common birthday or holiday gift to aspiring aviators. If you know you want to learn to fly, your discovery flight is a chance to tour the flight school and interview your flight instructor. You can ask questions about their experience and background, and how they got their license. The instructor should be friendly, relaxed, and safety-focused. 

Your discovery flight is also a good opportunity to talk to a certified flight instructor and get answers to your questions about how to become a commercial pilot, or how to become an airline pilot. Many flight instructors are building hours toward becoming an airline pilot and can offer insight and advice. 

Determining Your Timeline and Budget

The actual amounts of money that people spend on flight training vary widely, as does the amount of time it takes people to get their private pilot license (and subsequent ratings). Student pilots who are paying as they go may budget a certain amount of money per month to spend on flight training. In theory, this is feasible. However, in reality, learning to fly involves practicing maneuvers over and over, building habits, and fine-tuning techniques. When pilots allow 1-2 weeks to go between flights, instead of 1-2 days, they generally tend to get rusty and are more prone to making mistakes. 

Rusty pilots need more practice and review to complete maneuvers with ease.  So the money saved by flying 3-4 times a month may end up costing more in the long run, because student pilots are needing additional time to review and relearn. 

Also, it is important to keep in mind, as pilots near the completion of their course, they may need additional checkride preparation. You will also have to pay your examiner for your checkride, which may be between $500 to $1,000. The final weeks of flight training and getting your certificate can be more expensive than the initial weeks of lessons. This should be planned for. 

It is possible to get a flight training loan or financing for your training. Some people get a credit card to cover flight training costs. Everyone’s financial situation is different. However, having funds available will allow you to fly as often as you need to. If you are pursuing a career in aviation and will be getting your instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, and multi-engine rating, you will have additional expenses beyond your private pilot certificate. Just like a college education, you must think about how you will pay for the entire education, not just the first milestone. 

Ways to Save Money On Flight Training

Saving money on your flight training increases your odds of finishing and reaching your end goals – and actually getting your private pilot license and becoming a pilot. The following tips can help you save money in your flight training: 

• Learn as much as possible on the ground, by yourself. Everything you learn on your own is without paying an instructor or airplane rental.  The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) and Airplane Flying Manual are free books available online, with a wealth of information. Also, go with a reputable ground school. Watch videos of maneuvers before you try them in your trainer airplane. A word of caution: Not everyone who posts flying videos on youtube is a “good” pilot, and it’s possible to pick up bad habits. If you’re learning on the internet, watch videos published by a trusted source. 
• Get a handheld radio to copy down the airport’s weather recording prior to engine start. When you start your aircraft, you will have to input information into your altimeter. New student pilots often struggle with copying down the information, so getting the weather information before the engine starts can save a couple of minutes off that expensive airplane rental clock. Additionally, you’ll have a backup radio if you experience any radio system failure in flight. 
• Study for your knowledge test, and take it early. If you have to take a weeklong break from flying near your course completion to study for your knowledge test, you will lose your momentum and potentially have to take more time to review and study. 
• Don’t stop or take a break after your solo flight. Flying an airplane by yourself is a huge accomplishment, but don’t stop with that solo. Keep going, and before you know it, you will have your private pilot certificate. 

Our Ground School Will Help You Become A Pilot Faster

The drop-out rate during private pilot training is high (70-80% according to AOPA), and high cost is one of the biggest reasons people drop out. If you take advantage of the information and lessons offered in ground school, you can save money on aircraft rentals and time with your flight instructor.

The FLY8MA Private Pilot Ground School will prepare you for your flight training and show you what to expect during your flight lessons.

Completing this course before flight training will help save you THOUSANDS$$$ and help you achieve your dream of becoming a pilot. learn more about our Private Pilot Ground School.

With an organized plan and some determination, you can be one of the 20% of pilot students that reach their goals and succeed! Have questions about how to become a pilot? Ask us in the comments below.

How to Get a FTN Number

So you recently heard you need something called an “FTN Number” before you can register for your FAA written exam or get your Student Pilot License.

The good news is getting this number is totally free and will only take you about 10 minutes or so to complete online following the steps outlined in the video above.  If you’re not a video person, no problem, we’ll also explain in the text below how you can register on IACRA to get your FTN number (FAA Tracking Number).

Registering to take your FAA Pilot Test

So what lots of folks call the “pilot test” is really more correctly referred to as the Private Pilot Written Exam.  This exam is 60 questions, lasts 2.5 hours, and you must both register online as well as receive an endorsement from an approved instructor or course prior to being able to take the exam.

To register online, you will first go to https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx

Then click “register” on the upper right part of the screen, directly below where you would enter your login credentials if you had already signed up.

You will want to check the box for “applicant” (not any other boxes), and then follow the promts to complete the process.  It is just like signing up for a new email account.  Once you complete the process, you will be given a “FTN number” to go along with your username and very complicated password (yes the FAA makes you choose an obnoxiously long password).  Write down all three, username, password, and FTN somewhere safe because I guarantee you will forget one or all of those.

Reserving a time for the test

Now that you have your FTN number, you can register to take your written exam at https://faa.psiexams.com/faa/login

You’ll click on “Create an Account” and follow the prompts to create a new account with PSI (the testing company that administers the test for the FAA).  There is an 800 number on that page that will link you with tech support if you need help, but don’t set your expectations too high for the level of service you will receive from them (PSI is now a monopoly on all FAA testing).

Once you create an account you will select the test type you want to take (most likely Private Pilot Airplane designation – PAR ).  You will also pay your fee online and select the testing center nearest you based on your zip code.

THIS IS IMPORTANT. Before you book a time, call the testing center you are planning on using as the times and availability listed on the site are generally not correct for when the test proctor person will actually be available at your local testing center.  You do not want to book a time, pay for it online, only to show up in person prepared and ready to go on that day and time to find you’ll have to come back tomorrow when the proctor is available.

Getting a Student Pilot Certificate

If you wish to also get a student pilot certificate, more good news, you’re already about halfway there (assuming you already have your account set up on IACRA).  To apply for a student pilot certificate you will want to “Start a new application” when logged into your IACRA account.  You will be applying as a “student pilot”, and the link here can also help guide you through the specifics of what to put on the form.

You should keep in mind that once you submit your student pilot application you will have to schedule a time with a flight instructor to sit down in person, both log into your respective IACRA accounts from the same computer, provide verification of your US citizenship and identify to the instructor, and then they will help you complete the process via the IACRA website.  There is not a way to fully complete and submit your application to the FAA without being face to face with an instructor or FAA representative.

Questions?

If you still have questions you can always reach out to us here: Ask A Question