Expert: D. Norkus - 7/22/2007

Question
Hello. My name is Alex and i am 14 yrs old. I want to be a pilot and wanted to ask you when i can start my training for my career here in N.C, Raleigh (age). If i get a personal flight teacher can i fly the a plane with supervision by him? Can i also start accumulating my hours in the air for future use? I also wanted to ask for the best flight school here in Raleigh.

Answer
Alex

1) When i can start my training for my career here in N.C, Raleigh (age)....Can i also start accumulating my hours in the air for future use?  

You could start now (at 14), however that is not the most financially sound choice unless your parents are very rich and are willing to fund this endeavor for you.

You must be age 16 to solo and age 17 to take the Private Pilot flight test. That is at least two plus years away for you. I caution aspiring pilots against starting flight training too young because although you do log time, it exponentially increases your costs. True, flight time is flight time however using your money towards more advanced pilot certificates or ratings later on after the PPL is a better use of your flight training budget in my opinion. This is especially important if you are thinking of a career as that is very expensive as it is (upwards of $40,000).  

Here is a sample cost break down if your PPL training was completed in the FAA MINIMUM required time (40 hours) with some really good rental rates and you started a few weeks before your 17th birthday and few several times a week for max learning and minimally repeating your lessons:

* Third Class Medical (also your student pilot certificate) $65
* 40 hours C172 rental @ $80/hr = $3,200
* 30 hours Flight Instruction @ $30/hr = $900
* Misc pilot supplies (see list) $300
* FAA Computerized Written Exam Fee $70
* Examiner fee $250
_____________________
Private Pilot cost = $4,785


Example supplies needed:
Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual $72
"FAR/AIM" book (regulations & operating rules) $19
Pilot logbook $13
Navigation Plotter $11
An "E6B" Flight Computer $13
Sectional Chart $8
PPL Written Test Study Guide $18
PPL Oral Exam Guide $22
PPL Practical Test Standards Book $6
... and a Flight Bag to hold it all!

The actual price depends HEAVILY on the time you actually take to finish and the hourly costs for the aircraft and instructor. Many schools advertise a price for the PPL, but that only cover the 40 hour student. If they go over that, then it costs more. Some areas of the country or certain airport have very pricey rental rates. Shop around before you commit. Check into any flying clubs in your area as they are often less expensive as they have no staff or overhead to pay for.

Figure costs with your local rates here- http://www.firstflight.com/features/costCalculator.htm

This link has numerous aircraft local rates online (search by zip), but it costs  $4.95/mo or $9.95/3 mo to register for access-
http://www.private2atp.com/ft_finder.php

Suppose you are now 14 1/2 and started flying tomorrow for two times a month until age 16 (when you can solo) for about an average of 1.3 hours per lesson or 2.6 flight hours a month with a CFI. Using the averaged costs above, that is about $286 per month for those 18 months. As you can see, that will cost you $5,148 and you won't even have your PPL yet as you are a year away! If you continue to fly solo after that, for 2 hours per month you can add an additional $960 to that (figuring an $80/hr aircraft rental) for a total of $6,108!  For less money, if you wait till you are older, you can spend the same amount- probably less- and get your private pilot certificate. Plus, that extra $1,300 or so you will save will practically cover the cost of the multi-engine or instrument rating needed to progress on the career track. Get the idea?

At your age, I suggest joining the Aviation Explorer Scouts or the Civil Air Patrol. Both will get you into the world of general aviation and the cost will be minimal. You may even find reduced cost flight training.

Aviation Exploring is a youth development program centered around aviation careers. Member benefits:

* Take orientation flights in military transports, helicopters, gliders, or single-engine general aviation aircraft
* Visit Air Force bases, aviation museums, air shows, or FAA facilities
* Learn to preflight an aircraft
* Take pilot training ground school classes

They also offer scholarships for those on the aviation career track.

http://www.aviationexploring.org/

The Civil Air Patrol offers cadets the chance to "experience flight firsthand through the efforts of CAP adult volunteers, aviation enthusiasts eager to share their love of flying. Often, it is through CAP that a young person receives the first flight of his/her life. Aviation education is delivered in both the classroom and the cockpit. Cadets gain an understanding of the complex forces that cause an aircraft to achieve lift and other fundamental topics such as navigation, engines and aerospace history."

Opportunities include:
Orientation Flights: Through orientation flights in powered and glider aircraft, cadets develop a love of aviation at no cost to them. Paired with an experienced CAP volunteer pilot, cadets help preflight the aircraft, observe takeoff procedures and while aloft actually manipulate the controls and perform basic flight maneuvers. The program also enables cadets to learn about meteorology, navigation and aircraft instrumentation and technology. CAP Cadets fly approximately 16,000 hours in powered aircraft and 7,000 sorties in gliders each year.

Flight Academies: Having experienced the wonder of flight, advanced cadets pursue formal flight training. During  powered and glider flight academies, CAP provides cadets with reasonably priced flight instruction. As evidenced by their camaraderie and teamwork, cadets help one another master the complexities and sobering responsibilities of flight during an unforgettable week of intense training. Each summer, approximately 200 cadets learn to fly at CAP flight academies.

Flight and College Scholarships:
Aviation is prohibitively expensive for most youth. In partnership with charitable organizations and colleges, CAP helps cadets pursue flight training and/or post-secondary education through scholarships.

The Civil Air Patrol North Carolina Wing website- http://www.ncwg.cap.gov/

CAP cadet info- http://www.cap.gov/visitors/members/cadet_programs/


2) If i get a personal flight teacher can i fly the a plane with supervision by him?
Yes. That is the way that many people get their flight instruction and the method I used as well. You would need to rent an aircraft from a school and use a staff certified flight instructor/CFI or join a flying club and then hire a free lance CFI to teach you.

3) I also wanted to ask for the best flight school here in Raleigh.

I can't answer that one. Also, the "best" for one person may not be the "best" for someone else. How you interact with your schools CFI, their rates, their policies, the type of aircraft they fly ect ect all influence what someone thinks is the "best" school.

Additionally, as I mentioned in #2 above, there is the option of flying with a freelance CFI and joining a flying club and not going to a flight school at all. Club rates are often better than schools as they have no staff or overhead to pay for.

You will need to research your area and see what is available. Try these links for schools
http://www.private2atp.com/fbo/NC.html
and clubs near Raleigh-
http://www.landings.com/evird.acgi$pass*95028998!_h-www.landings.com/_landings/p...

My training and careers page may also be of interest:
http://www.pilotcareer.info

Hope this helps.
Dottie