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Pilot Training in USA

Sofia Sapojnikova — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:59:00 GMT

A commercial aviation license is one of the most coveted and sacred certificates you can receive. The benefits and privileges are great and the responsibilities are enormous. Acquiring a license can be a formidable task. There are the three basic categories you need to know: aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency and aeronautical experience.

Pilot Training-Aeronautical Knowledge

A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on knowledge that applies to the aircraft category and class rating sought. This includes applicable Federal Aviation regulations, accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board, basic aerodynamics and the principles of flight, meteorology including the recognition of critical weather situations, safe and efficient operation of aircraft, principles and functions of aircraft systems, maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations appropriate to the aircraft, night and high-altitude operations, procedures for operating within the National Airspace System - and other important topics.

Pilot Training-Flight Proficiency

This includes preflight preparation, airport operations, takeoffs, landings and go-around, performance maneuvers, ground reference maneuvers, navigation, slow flight and stalls, emergency operations, high-altitude operations, and post-flight procedures.

Pilot Training-Aeronautical Experience

Pilot Certification in the United States

Obtaining pilot certification in the United States is a complex series of tests and requirements. It is administered by FARs (or Federal Aviation Regulations) that are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) The FAA governs all aviation activities in the United States like pilot training activities, airplane design, airline flights, hot-air ballooning, man-made structure heights and even model rocket launches and model aircraft operation.
All pilot certificates and ratings require a practical test which is usually referred to as a "check ride.” For each practical test, the FAA has published a Practical Test Standards document which is expected to be used by the applicant, the flight instructor and the examiner. A practical test is administered by an FAA Inspector or an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. The check-ride is divided into two parts:

The oral exam
The flight test in the aircraft

After the student has successfully completed the practical test, the examiner will issue a temporary airman certificate with the new license or rating. In order to take practical tests for all pilot certificates and ratings, the applicant must have proper logbook endorsements from their flight instructor.

Thomas F. Sullivan offers the steps needed to become a pilot by training at one of the many flight schools in America. Lets take a look at the steps which are needed in order to become a certified Private Pilot.

The first step is a psychological step. You need to make sure you are in the proper mind set and have the proper attitude to learn how to fly. This means you should have a very good reason, at least for yourself, in terms of why you want to become a pilot. And a perfunctory reason will not work. The reason for this is because it takes unadulterated commitment on your part in order to gain a Private Pilot License.
Along the lines of commitment, you will need to set aside a large chunk of time weekly for learning how to fly. You could just train on the weekend, but the draw back to this method is that learning to fly could take a long time, a very long time. Therefore, if possible, try to fly every good weather day, and therefore set aside time daily for flight training. It is very important you understand that the closer your lessons are to each other, the less money you will spend in the end. The national average in terms of the flying hours needed to obtain the Private Pilot License is 65 – 70 hours.
Plan on spending around $8,000.00 USD to obtain the Private Pilot License. This includes instructor fee, cost to rent airplane, exams, books, and equipment. Some sources put the cost at about $7,000.00 USD. Again, the more frequently you fly, the lower the end cost will be. Assuming you are average in terms of number of flying hours needed (65 – 70 hours), plan on spending $7,000.00 to $8,000.00 USD.
After you have decided that you truly want to gain a Private Pilot License, you understand the time needed, and you have worked out the financial aspect, you then can start to think about selecting the right flight school. When selecting a flight school, visit every flight school that is within a reasonable driving distance to where you live. The following two steps will help in your selection of a flight school.
You need to decide if you want to become a tri-gear or conventional gear (tail wheel) pilot, or both. Do you want to take your check ride in a conventional gear airplane, or a tri-gear airplane. Today, most pilots take their check ride in a tri-gear airplane. But it should be noted that you will be a more proficient and a safer pilot if you are able to fly more then one type of airplane. This diversity includes being able to fly both tri-gear and conventional gear aircraft.Today, most pilots prefer to stick with a tri-gear airplane from start to finish, when getting their Private Pilot License. Select a flight school which provides both tri-gear and conventional gear aircraft for you to rent, so that you are able to fly both of these types of airplanes.You can train and take your check ride in a tri gear airplane, and later after you obtain your Private Pilot License, get a tail wheel endorsement. No matter how you slice it, the more different types of airplanes you can get checked out in and fly well, the safer you will be as a pilot.
Also, in terms of flight school selection, you need to decide if you want to learn to fly at a FAR Part 141 school, or a FAR Part 61 school. In the United States, flight schools are required to operate under one of these two sets of rules, as laid down by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). One is really not any better then the other. Flight schools which operate under FAR Part 141 provide a more formal curriculum, with slightly fewer hours required for certification, and flight schools which operate under FAR Part 61 are less formal, and hours needed for certification are a little bit more.But since the hours needed in order to obtain the Private Pilot License almost always is much more then the required hours for certification (65-70 hours is the national average), there is really no advantage to learning at a FAR Part 141 school. Your decision in terms of FAR Part 141, and FAR Part 61, should really be dependent on the type of learning environment you prefer. Some students do better in a more formal environment, while others prefer a more laid back, less formal environment.
After selecting a flight school, you then need to select an instructor. Select an instructor you feel comfortable with, both in terms of personality and flying experience. There are basically two types of instructors in the United States. One type is trying to build flying hours and has a desire to move on beyond instruction to a commercial flying job which is more lucrative. The other type of instructor is a career instructor who prefers to instruct, and is not really flying to build hours, but enjoys teaching new students. Career instructors on average tend to be older then hour building instructors. In terms of these two types of instructors, one is really not any better then the other, and selecting an instructor you believe you are compatible with is what really is important. You need to have a professional learning situation, where personality incompatibility will not interfere with the process of becoming a pilot. Selecting the right instructor is probably the most important component in learning how to fly.
Finally, for most areas of the United States, plan on starting the learning process at the beginning of the summer. You need to have plenty of good flying weather in front of you before you start. If you start in the fall, you may end up having to stop due to bad weather and may need to wait until the spring to continue, which means more time and money. Plan on getting the job done within a few months in the summer. This holds true for most areas of the country, but not all. Of course, if you are learning to fly in the Southwest or Florida, then when you start is really not a factor.

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What To Know About Flight Training Degree Program

Sofia Sapojnikova — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:37:00 GMT

Choosing a flight training school is not an easy task. After looking at a variety of brochures and websites, they all start to look the same. It becomes difficult to separate good a flight school from those who are simply good at selling themselves.

Besides the obvious items such as location, type of aircraft, and availability of student loans, there are many other items to consider when selecting your flight school. Often these items are not in the brochures aviation flight training colleges send out to you.

Regardless of which aviation flight training college you choose, you still will leave with the required FAA certificates for your career in aviation. That's assuming that the flight school uses a structured syllabus, you apply yourself and never forget your part of that equation. However, choosing a good flight school can make your flight training experience enjoyable, as opposed to a tedious task.

Here is a partial list to help you ask questions to select the best aviation school for your flight training:

Size of your classes
A list of charges not included in the package price - and there always are items like this. That's normal, because not everyone learns at the same rate.
Average age and experience of the educational team.
The general weather conditions in the area. This means you should watch for words like “365 days of sunshine.” Is the weather comfortable to learn in and how much time each day is really flyable?
Are you paying for flying time only, and if not what are the other costs that will impact the total expense and speed at which you complete your training?
Many career schools claim to have connections with an airline or even several airlines. This is something that often is not valuable to you.
The airline industry is in a state of constant change - it is nearly impossible to tell who will be hiring when you are done with your education and finished building your flight experience.
Be careful of the guaranteed interview, and never pick a school for the so-called guaranteed job. This may not be a wise investment of your money; it may just be a marketing effort by the school. Be sure to ask how many students got interviews, jobs and how long it took them to get hired.

Flight Training Degree Program at Aviator College

It is highly recommended candidates visit the college and complete an interview with Admissions. Click on the "Schedule a Visit" on learn more.

1. Complete the Online Application & Deposit Form, Your deposit will be held on your student account and will secure your enrollment date.
2. All students submit a $500.00 deposit.
3. International students will be issued the I-20 upon receipt of the online application & deposit form. There is an additional $500 deposit for visa processing. Your I-20 will be issued. When you receive the I-20, please take it to the U.S. Embassy in your country for approval. Please inform the school of your arrival date and flight information two weeks prior to arrival. A school representative will meet you at the airport to welcome you to the USA and Aviator College.Remember we must have a complete physical address in order to have a courier service deliver the I-20.
4. Submit all required eligibility documentation including, an "official transcript" stamped, sealed and sent directly from all colleges attended, copies of any pilot certificates received, college entrance examination scores (ACT, SAT, CLAST or equivalent), TOFEL scores (if required), a 500 word essay entitled "Why I Want To Be A Pilot" and any material that will help the registrars office determine eligibility for enrollment and transfer credit. Note you may send an unofficial transcript for planning purposes, however the college must have an official transcript on file before the start of classes. You may email, fax or mail these documents.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Aviator College at 772-672-8222.

IMPORTANT! Arrive at the Campus early enough allow time for the following before classes start:

Register for classes for the current semester
Make tuition payment for the classes registered for
Complete and sign the Enrollment Agreement and Housing Lease Agreement
Read and sign for acceptance of the College Catalog containing the policies of the College
Complete the Transportation Safety Administration information file, including the online test
Receive an identification badge to access the airport property

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F1 Visa for International Flight Training Students

Sofia Sapojnikova — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:16:00 GMT

The F1 visa allows students from around the world to study full time in the United States at accredited primary, secondary or post-secondary academic institutions. The F1 is a non-immigrant visa, meaning it is intended for temporary visitors who do not intend to become permanent residents.

However, F1 recipients are usually eligible for 12 months of practical training (employment authorization or permission to work) during and after completing their studies. Students who take advantage of this training or other similar opportunities may in essence use F1 visas as the first step in their journeys toward permanent residence.

F1 Visa Requirements

To be eligible for an F1 visa, foreign students must possess all of the following:

An offer of study from an approved educational institution in America
Intent to travel to America for the purpose of enrollment in a full course of study (as certified by the academic institution in postgraduate or postdoctoral level study or at least 12 semester hours on the university level or equivalent)
A valid passport
Ability to prove they have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and costs for the duration of the program, although in certain circumstances the student may be given permission to work
Fluency in English or enrolled in an immersion course or other course that will lead to proficiency
Intent to return to their country of abode after expiration of the visa

Although the F1 Student Visa for the USA does not have an insurance requirement as part of the visa regulations, most F1 students who are studying in the USA will have to meet certain levels of coverage as set out by their school. To learn what requirements schools impose on international students please contact flight training school of your choosing for more information.

Once you know what your school requires in terms of insurance coverage, you can purchase your insurance plan right online through our website. The most popular and applicable plan for students on an F1 Visa is the Student Secure Health Insurance Plan. The Student Secure provides monthly international student health insurance coverage with benefits that will meet most schools requirements.

F1 Visa & Professional Pilot Program

The F-1 visa program is designed for the international student who wishes not only to receive the FAA certificates and ratings, but also to stay on as a flight instructor to build flight time towards the ATP (Airline Transportation Pilot) Certificate. The F-1 Visa Program is valid up to 24 calendar months. For further information please consult the International Students section of our website under Visa Information for additional insurance requirements.

Aviator's Professional Pilot Program is formatted to provide the training that the airline industry is demanding for their future commercial pilots. Participation in one of our Professional Pilot Programs will be one of the most intensive and challenging flight and study programs offered in aviation training today.

During your flight training you will fly a total of 259 flight hours, of which 200 hours will be in a multi-engine aircraft. All ground school and six months of housing are included in the cost of the Professional Pilot Program with instructor ratings. You will receive a minimum of 523 instructional hours. This program, due to the nature of the education provided is divided into two segments: Ground Training & Flight Training. The ground school portion is a structured classroom environment. During the flight training portion no FTDs (Simulators) are used for flight time requirements. The school's new 37,000 sq. ft. flight training facilities are open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. Provisions are made to access the aircraft for flight training 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. After your flight training you will have the opportunity as a flight instructor to build your flight time.

We require two weeks notice prior to your arrival. A deposit of $ 1,000.00 must accompany the enrollment form. This deposit will be refunded at the completion of your 24 month program.

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GoJet Comes to Aviator College

Ari Cohen — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:24:00 GMT

Thank you to GoJets!

Aviator College was thrilled to have GoJets! a TSA Holdings company hanging out with us last week. The presentation to our students and instructors was very informative. It was interesting to explore how this H.R. 5900 bill is impacting hiring practices. It was also refreshing to find out that the airlines are working on returning to a customer service focus with a professional appearance.
Although, this isn’t an issue for Aviator College students and instructors, finding out that they are only requiring 100 hours of multi time has to be a relief for a number of potential pilots. The recruiters discussed how when you are called in for an interview they will be looking for reasons not to hire you. They expressed wanting to hire individuals that they could spend 4 hours in close quarters with first and then the “pilot” second. They like diversity, curiosity, someone mechanically inclined, project and time management skills, but mostly a sense of humor and good personality.
We are looking forward to developing a more formal training and recruiting relationship with GoJets! and ensuring that it benefits our students and their airline.

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Flight Training Career Begins With Good Flight School

Sofia Sapojnikova — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:07:26 GMT

More than any other vocation, commercial piloting is a business of professionals. It is important that you keep a professional attitude at all times. A pilot becomes one with the airplane instead of simply the operator of a machine. An accomplished pilot demonstrates the ability to assess situations quickly and accurately and analyze the correct procedure to be followed under the circumstance; to understand the probable results of a given set of circumstances or of a proposed procedure; to exercise care and due regard for safety; to gauge accurately the performance of the airplane; and to recognize personal limitations and limitations of the airplane and avoid approaching the critical points of each. The development of airmanship skills requires effort and dedication on the part of both the student pilot and the flight instructor, beginning with the very first training flight where proper habit formation begins with the student being introduced to good operating practices. Where do you get skills required to become a pilot?
This begins at flight training school.

There are over 300 two- and four-year colleges with aviation programs and aviation schools in the United States and world-wide that offer various aviation programs (including non-engineering programs) to students interested in pursuing a career in aviation. Many of the aviation programs will allow you to either earn an aviation diploma, certificate or rating, aviation degree, an Associates and/or Bachelors degree (which is dependent on the type of school and their aviation programs).

Why an Aviation Flight School or Aviation College?

Aviation schools and aviation colleges provide the best learning and training environments for students to succeed and prepare for a career in aviation. You may already be aware of the many benefits of going to college such as better paying jobs, access to a wider range of career choices, and exposure to a wide range of people and cultures. Going to an aviation school or aviation college also has many benefits.

Flight School Benegits

Gain greater knowledge and expand your skills in a specific aviation career field.
Earn an aviation degree, an associate’s degree, and/or bachelor’s degree in an aviation program.
Access a wide range of aviation resources and tools to help you with your aviation career.
Participate in various aviation internship programs.
Increase your chances of networking with aviation employers to gain employment.

The process of preparing and applying to an aviation college can be an intimidating and confusing process. This is why it is very important to learn as much as you can about the basics of preparing and applying for college. The more you know about your options and the application process; you can make an informed decision about your educational and aviation career goals.

Flight School Selection Process

Tour the facility you are considering and meet the faculty. Do they treat you in a professional manner? If the flight school doesn’t have a professional feeling and a business-like attitude then maybe the school isn’t right for you.

Make sure the place is well-maintained and everything is in order. Check the condition of the fleet and the surrounding environment. If the facility is cluttered, unattended to or even run down, chances are your training will be the same.

How many planes are in the fleet? Are they properly maintained and do you have access to the maintenance logs? A training plane should be serviced after every 100 hours of flight time. A flight training plane doesn’t have to be new but it does need to be well-maintained.

Take a look at housing facilities at the flight school – if they offer it. Take a look at the off-campus housing market – if they don’t. Check the local real estate listings, prices and availability.

Does the flight school give you a choice of payment plans or do they want all their money up front? It is important for your aviation college to have payment plans and options.

Your flight training career begins with a flight training school. Choose wisely. Aviator College invites to schedule a visit. Get answers to all your questions.

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Financing For Your Flight School Training

Sofia Sapojnikova — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:06:55 GMT

Are you thinking about how you’re going to finance your flight training? Financing your flight training is not really that hard. There are a couple of financing options that are available to you. Before you start searching for other means of financing your flight training; you should check with your local flight school to see what type of flight training financing they offer. Usually flight schools might have deals with local banks that could offer you reasonable rates for borrowing money for your flight training.

Financing Tips, Loans and Programs

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid - is the first step in the financial aid process for your flight school. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit their website for more information.

The following is a list of federal grant and loan programs:

Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL): Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need
and the grade year of the student.

Federal Stafford Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The FFEL PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for
their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount
borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

Federal Direct Loans
Amounts may vary each year and are dependent on need and the grade year of the student.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The Direct PLUS loan can be borrowed by the parents of the dependent undergraduate student to help pay for
their child’s education. The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. The amount borrowed each year is limited to the cost of attendance less other forms of assistance.

Federal Perkins Loan
This low-interest loan is dependent on availability of funds each year and must be repaid to the flight school you are attending. The loan accrues no interest while the student attends school or during the nine-month grace period.

Pell Grants
This need-based award varies. The award amount is directly related to the student’s expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA form and the student’s enrollment status (full time, half time, etc.)

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Grants through this federal program are available to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students with the greatest need.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This federal grant is for full-time, undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible U.S. citizens who have completed a rigorous High School curricula and are in their first two years of study. ACG grants are for first and second-year students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Aviation Career Training Loans
Are a great way to pay for your aviation training. These types of loans are specifically used for technical training, trade school and other education programs. If you have looked everywhere and still haven’t found a way to pay for your aviation training then you should probably try and apply for a career training loan.

Flight Training Scholarships

There are many organizations that offer aviation related scholarships. The great thing about scholarships it that you never have to pay them back. Its free money for your flight training needs. Flightschoollst website offers the list and information you can review to make an informed decision.

Veterans Benefits

Prospective student who performed active duty after September 10, 2001 have additional eligiblity for funding. Read about the new VA benefit in a letter from the Director of VA Education Services.

Preparing for flight school or flight college takes planning and organization. Paying for flight college usually requires some kind of financial aid. Students enrolled with Aviator College may be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, Veterans Benefits, and Private Career Education Loans.

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Flight Training Requirements for Aspiring Pilots

Sofia Sapojnikova — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:24:00 GMT

A question many aspiring pilots ask is “what does it take?” – What is needed to become a pilot? “What is needed to become a pilot? Many still think you need special skills to pilot an airplane. And that you have to be extremely smart and have senses no-one else has.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Though many pilots are smart all of them are just normal humans with a passion for flying. If you just want to learn how to fly for fun then there really are no requirements besides being able to read, write, talk and pass a medical test.

In theory this also applies to commercial pilots, but the requirements set by the flight schools are far below what the airlines require. In general you should have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and you will have a benefit if you got advanced math and physics classes. This is because the flight theory includes a lot of physics. Also basic math skills are used all the time in flying.

If you are aiming for the airlines some of them may even want you to have at least a two or four year degree from college. But this is all depending on demand for pilots, company policy and nationality of the airline and is therefore never an absolute.

However it is common for airlines to give you different tests with an aviation psychologist during the interview process. It is like an advanced IQ test specially made for the aviation industry. Testing like this can take from one to a couple of days and will evaluate your ability and potential as a pilot.

Buying a test like this from an aviation psychologist before starting your training can be a cheap and valuable investment. Some flight schools in Europe even require you to have taken such a test with a minimum score before they let you start training. The aviation psychologist will give you a certificate to add to your resume/application.

“Anyone can learn how to fly, just some use more time and money then others.”

What Flight Training Students Need to Know

Where can I get flying lessons?

To find the top flight schools in the United States, visit flight school directories at the following websites: pilotjourney, Bestaviation, AOPA, AviationSchoolsOnline.

All of these directories offer a search by zip code, city, state or name of the school. Choose a couple of schools first so you can compare. Do your research, call and talk to the instructors, visit the school if possible and then decide what flight school will give the best education for your money.

Is It Hard to Learn to Fly?

If you have the passion, the skill will come. People of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities have learned to fly. It’s fun, and from the beginning of your training, you get to do most of the actual flying! On the practical side—While flying isn’t a difficult skill to learn, you’ll have to be willing to stick with it until you meet all the requirements.

Is Flying safe?

A well-built and well-maintained aircraft flown by a competent and prudent pilot is as safe or safer than many other forms of transportation. Flight schools aircraft are also highly maintained.

What is the difference between a recreational pilot’s certificate and a private pilot’s certificate?
As a recreational pilot, you have to fly within 50 nautical miles of the airport where you learned to fly, you have to fly during the day, and you can’t fly in airspace where communications with air traffic control are required. You are better off just getting your private pilots license. It will only take you a couple more hours. A private pilot doesn’t have these limitations. It usually takes fewer lessons to get a recreational pilot’s certificate than a private pilot’s certificate. Some flight schools do not offer the recreational pilots certificate.

Flight Training Timeline

Self-Paced Curriculum
As a self-paced student, you must dedicate at least ten days per month to your training. Anticipate an additional 10-20 days of required availability compared to the Fast Track Training Timeline.

Daily Training Schedule
You will coordinate your daily training schedule with your flight instructor and depending on instructor and aircraft availability, you may accelerate your training pace and complete the program in much less time than possible with training just 10 days per month.

Financing

Now is the best time to go to flight training school. The economy is improving and the commercial pilot job market is opening up.

FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is your first step for flight school financing. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. Most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Visit FAFSA website for more information.

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Commercial Pilot Career and Certificate

Sofia Sapojnikova — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:42:57 GMT

Pilot careers offer a lot of advantages. But before being able to enjoy the perks of being a pilot, one must first undergo rigorous pilot training, learn the principles of Physics and Aviation and have their license. This is so because the field of aviation is a very sensitive study; one’s action must always be precise, else lives of all the passengers will be put at stake. Apart from familiarizing yourself with Aviation academically, you must also be a person able to make credible and valid judgments, especially if you will be operating the plane as the captain. It is also important to note that a pilot, in order to become successful, must be a person who is physically fit and free of any medical condition.

Pilot careers, just like any other professions, have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. One great and obvious advantage of being a pilot is being able to travel. As a pilot, you will be given the opportunity to travel practically around the world. What’s more astounding is that apart from the opportunity to travel for free, you are also able to have hotel reservations for a cheap price—truly one of the best perks of this profession. The monetary compensation of pilot careers is also very competitive, ranging from $25,000 as a starting salary to as much as $300,000. They are required to go to work for only 20 days at most in a month, and are given plenty of sick and hospitalization leaves. Apart from such, pilots are also given medical benefits, allowing them to be able to maintain their health and keep their form and body in top shape all the time.

Despite such advantages, pilot careers also have a negative side of the job. Even if they are required to complete less days as compared to regular office personnel, pilots spend their working time out of the house or office. They practically live most of their lives in the airplane, and only get to spend time with their family for a limited period only. Because of this, pilots tend to miss most of the social events and gatherings with their family members, and sometimes claim for it to be the cause of broken marriages. Most companies also base promotions on seniority system, which means that your promotion and advancement in the career will naturally depend on the years of service you have been giving rather than having a good performance.

There is always a positive and a negative side to everything. As a person who is considering such a career, it is important to know what these pros and cons are in order to assess and anticipate the possible outcomes of having such a career. You should not be deterred by the negative aspects of a profession. Instead, you should learn what these cons are and try to use it to your advantage in order to make your chosen path work. Being able to compensate and compromise your time in work, family and play is important. This way, you will be able to protect your career and be successful, and have a happy in life.

How to Get Commercial Pilot Certificate?

Aeronautical Knowledge

Flight Proficiency

Aeronautical Experience

A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least - 100 hours in powered aircraft, 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time and 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.

Aviator College prepares you for your career and helps you get your commercial pilot’s license. There are the three basic categories you need to know: aeronautical knowledge, flight proficiency and aeronautical experience.

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Accelerated Flight Training

Sofia Sapojnikova — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:00:54 GMT

There are many combinations to choose from to get your multi-engine FAA pilot certification, ranging from Private Multi-Engine ratings to Multi-Engine Instrument Instructor ratings to Airline Transport Pilot certificates.
The ultimate goal is to get hired by airlines, so the flight school you choose to get your flight training is extremely important. Students look for the flight school that will get them access to the most the most qualified instructors, competitive pricing and the shortest time frame available.

Experts Opinions About Accelerated Flight Training Programs

Below we have gathered some of the opinions of Flight Instructors throughout the country and what they think about the value of accelerated flight training:

Michael Phillips is a Master Flight Instructor and a charter member of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). He instructs at CP Aviation in Santa Paula, California. He says:

“The simple answer is ‘maybe.’ This answer is based on working with clients who have been through an accelerated program, discussions with designated pilot examiners and personal experience.

“I know pilots and instructors who have been through various types of accelerated training programs. The results have been both positive and negative. The good programs and positive outcomes resulted from a well-designed program facilitated by professional management and instructors working with clients who have a solid foundation on which to build additional skills. They were also programs that were able to adapt to the needs of the pilot training. The programs that are lacking in these key areas may offer a service that results in a certificate, but the pilot does not feel safe, competent or confident.

“If you are considering an accelerated program, it is tantamount that you understand your situation and your learning style. Thoroughly evaluate your options and ask for a list of references so that you can speak directly with pilots who have trained in the program or flight school that you are considering.”

John King is the co-owner of King Schools. He says:

“There are many people who argue that accelerated learning will not give the student the time to learn knowledge and skill thoroughly. But within the limits of fatigue, I believe the more quickly one learns something, the better they will learn, because when a student learns over a shorter period of time, the experiences are more recent and vivid.

“There is no rule of learning that says that the longer it takes you to learn something the better you will learn it and the longer you will retain it. On the other hand, there is a rule of learning that says that the better you can make associations and correlations, the more you will understand the relationships and the better you will have the big picture, with all the pieces falling into place. So I am a fan of accelerated learning, especially in scenario-based instruction in which you learn in the context of how you will use what you learn.

“How do you know that the folks you are working with haven’t lowered the standards or left something out just to get you done in a certain time frame? Well, there are two protections for you built right into the system. They are the knowledge test and the practical test. As a general rule, if you can pass both of these tests, you know your material.
“So in my mind, there are great advantages to accelerated learning, but no matter how well you learn something, for long-term retention you need to put it into practice. It is just one more reason to keep flying.”

Rod Machado- Rod wrote and coanchored ABC’s Wide World of Flying. He is AOPA’s National CFI spokesman and a National Accident Prevention Counselor appointed by the FAA in Washington D. C. Rod is the flight instructor voice on Microsoft's Flight Simulator starting with the 2000 version through the X version and he wrote the flight lesson tutorials for the textbook that accompanies the software.

Here's what I think. Over the years I've had a chance to fly with several pilots who've been trained in these accelerated instrument courses. They were, for the most part, all competent and qualified instrument pilots. They were at least as qualified as some of the instrument pilots trained via the traditional method. In fact, when I was doing programs for ABC's Wide World of Flying video series, one of our producers earned his instrument rating at one of these accelerated programs. His training was filmed and became an episode for one of the videos. He passed his checkride and did quite well, by the way.

Do these programs work? Yes, they do. Perhaps the most important reason they do is that they have a reputation for providing highly experienced and competent instructors. I believe that this, above all, is the reason for their success. Nothing is more important than a good instructor. Nothing! This is the best reason to peruse this type of training.

Another reason accelerated programs work is because they rapidly reinforce the skills learned during instrument training. Consolidated training prevents the learning gaps that are common with a traditional instrument education when life intervenes or students run short on funds.

Yes, these programs are a little more expensive. That's because the instructor comes to your hometown to provide the training. It is, however, convenient for those who are too busy to travel. Passing the written is usually a prerequisite for beginning one of these courses.

As far as I can tell there is only one drawback to this type of instrument training. My experience indicates that if they don’t fly on instruments right after training, pilots trained in the accelerated method tend to lose confidence a bit faster than those trained in the traditional, longer method. After a month or so of filing IFR flight plans, however, there's not much difference in confidence between those trained in either method. If you're considering accelerated instrument training, then plan on doing enough instrument flying after the fact to keep your confidence level high.

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How To Choose a Flight Training School

Sofia Sapojnikova — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:28:00 GMT

You've decided to learn to fly. Now the question is where do you go to learn to fly? There are so many flight school options, one is certain to meet your needs. The good news is that a shortage of airline pilots has turned flight training into a full-fledged industry.

What you need to think seriously about what you want and expect before jumping into the flight training career.
The reasons people decide to learn to fly seem to fall into two major categories and a couple of minor ones. Many of today's students are looking down the road at a seat in the airlines, which is a gigantic change from a decade ago when the jobs were so scarce that it wasn't even worth considering. The other major group of student pilots includes those who have reached, or passed, middle age and are finally getting to do what they've always wanted to do. The balance of the student population is made up of those who want to work an airplane into their existing business, those who simply can't live without the thrill and adventure of flying, and those who don't know for sure why they are doing it. Many of these people in all of these categories have jobs or careers that they can't or don't want to leave to pursue flight training. Others have families that require their presence on a daily basis. Still others have strict budget limitations. Each circumstance requires a different type of flight school.

In investigating any flight school, you need to determine how seriously the business takes its flight training program and how professional the approach is. The best way to answer these questions, and others, is to talk to people who are taking flight instruction there. Don't ask just one person. Ask for the names of at least five current or past students and contact all of them. When you talk to these students, get a sense of how satisfied they have been with their training experience and ask some specific questions:

Were the instructors prompt?
Did they do both preflight and postflight briefings?
Were they good communicators?
Were the aircraft well-maintained?
Were the instructors honest in evaluating their students' progress?
Did the instructor leave the school before the student earned the rating?

Why choose Aviator College?

There is a lot to like at Aviator College. We offer “hands on” flight training in an idyllic campus setting. Our beautiful facilities, dedicated faculty and staff, and long history of providing quality aviation education ensures graduates receive the skills and knowledge required to excel in today's highly competitive aviation market.

Aviator College is a fully accredited flight school that provides the most cost effective program for a two year degree in an aviation related field. The college has a state-of-the-art 37,000 square foot training facility, featuring a CRJ Level 5 Flight Training Device (simulator) but FTD’s are not used towards your flight time for any ratings.

Our planes are second to none. We operate a fleet of more than 30 aircraft that fly over 30,000 hours yearly. All our planes are low wing and are equipped with Garmin 430’s and Aspen EFI’S.

The campus itself is in the scenic countryside. It is situated in a semi-tropical campus setting with the most up-to-date equipment and technology available. The housing complex is located on the campus. Every housing unit has four bedrooms, and four bathrooms. The bedroom may be divided into two separate rooms, saving on housing costs if you desire. The housing units are fully furnished with a television and internet access. Students have access to an outdoor pool, tennis and volleyball courts. There is a fitness center on the campus grounds.

Additional housing is located just north of Fort Pierce in Vero Beach. These houses have three bedrooms each, two baths and full kitchens.

We have payment plans to fit everyone’s budget. Sit down with one of our finance experts – they will assist you with a variety of financial aid programs, veterans benefits and career education loans.

We invite you to visit our campus, tour our facility and meet our staff. We think you will like Aviator College as much as we do.

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Flight Training in Florida

Sofia Sapojnikova — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:40:00 GMT

There are a lot of flight schools in Florida and there is a good reason for that. The people are friendly, the cost of living and taxes are low and the weather is beautiful.

Florida enjoys a sub-tropical climate that promises long summers and short, mild winters. It is perfect for year-round outdoor activities and it is also perfect for flight training. The average median temperate in central Florida is 75 degrees and the skies are clear and sunny about 280 days out of the year. No wonder they call Florida the “Sunshine State.”

Applying for Flight Training School

Not all flight schools are the same. There are over 1400 of them in this country so there’s big selection to choose from. How do you decide which school is right for you? You need to do your homework even before you go to school.

We have outlined a few essential tips that will help you choose the right school to get your flight training degree.

Flight Training Facilities

Make sure the place is clean and well-maintained. Check the condition of the fleet and the surrounding environment. If the facility is cluttered, unattended to or even run down, chances are your training will be the same.

Fleet Condition

Are the planes new? If not, how old are they? How many planes are in the fleet? Are they properly maintained and do you have access to the maintenance logs? A training plane should be serviced after every 100 hours of flight time. It doesn’t have to be new to fly but it does have to well-maintained.

Professionalism and Pride

More than any other vocation, commercial piloting is a business of professionals. It is imperative that you keep a professional attitude at all times. So where does all this professionalism begin? It begins at flight school. Tour the facility you are considering and meet the faculty. Do they treat you professionally and respectfully? Are they proud about what they are doing? If the flight school doesn’t have a professional feeling and a business-like attitude then maybe the school isn’t right for you.

Housing Options for Flight Training Students

You are most likely going to be living away from home when you attend a flight school and housing can get pretty expensive. Take a look at housing facilities at the prospective flight school – if they even offer it. Check the local market for real estate listings, prices and availability.

Location

Location is just as important with a flight training school as it is with a piece of real estate property. A good location with year round temperate weather conditions is a big plus - you can log more flying hours faster, get your degree quicker and be on the way sooner to your new career.

Flight Training Financing Options

Does the flight school give you a choice of payment plans or do they want all their money up front? It is important to have payment plans and options. We are still in tough economic times and that makes it even tougher for a flight school student.

Do your research. Check on all points suggested above when you are applying for a flight school. If you have question about flight training at Aviator College –contact us for details.

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Congratulations Michael on First time Pass CFI

Joshua Kalbow — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:35:00 GMT

Aviator College would like to congraulate Michael on his CFI Checkride. Way to go Michael

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