Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q: How do I get started flying?
A: Most new pilots explore their flying interests by first taking a “Discovery Flight”. This will allow you to actually fly an airplane with a qualified Certified Flight Instructor. Experience what it's like to be “Pilot in Command” of a $200,000 airplane for about the price of nice dinner out for two! You can even take a passenger with you on your Discovery flight if you like!
Simply call the pilot shop at 775-857-2255 for an appointment. We will require a signature on a couple of forms by you or your guardian. After that, you will be on your way to your first flight lesson. It's that easy!

You can even buy a gift certificate for a Discovery Flight online by clicking here!
 

Q: How old do I have to be to start learning to fly?
A: You may take flight instruction at any age, but to be eligible for a student pilot certificate, a person must be at least 16 years of age. You need a student pilot certificate in order to fly solo (by yourself with no one else in the plane), but it is not required for dual instruction.


Q: What is the age limit to fly as a private pilot?
A: There is no age limit as long as you can pass the medical exam.

Q: Do I need a medical exam?
A: You may take instruction without a medical exam, but in order to fly an airplane solo (by yourself with no one else in the plane), you must have a medical examination by an authorized physician. The exam is not very difficult, and most pass easily. It is good advice to take your medical exam and get your combination medical certificate and student pilot license as soon as possible.


Q: Do I need to speak English?
A: Yes, you must be able to read, speak, and understand the English language. It doesn't mean your English has to be perfect, but it must be easy for you to understand instructions and to be understood when you communicate.


Q: How old do I have to be to get my private pilot certificate?
A: You must be at least 17 years of age to be licensed to fly airplanes.


Q: What tests are involved?
A: There are three parts to testing. First, you must pass a written test on the subject areas on which instruction or home study is required. Secondly, you must pass an oral exam given by an FAA inspector or examiner, and lastly, pass a practical test on procedures and maneuvers selected by an FAA inspector or examiner to determine your ability to competently fly the aircraft and perform certain maneuvers. Thousands of people each year successfully pass all the tests. I'll bet that you can too!


Q: Do I need some sort of ground school?
A: Thanks to Northern Nevada Aviation’s status as a Cessna Pilot Center, our state-of-the-art Internet Based Instruction kits eliminate the need for a traditional ground school. The Internet Based Program gives you all of the information you will need to pass the FAA Written Knowledge Test and it can be used anywhere an internet connection is available. You will work closely with your instructor as you progress through your training to make sure you learn everything you need to know.


Q: Is the test difficult?
A: No, it is not difficult, but does require that you put time into studying and learning the material. The FAA publishes all the possible questions they could ask you. Your test will only involve approximately fifty multiple choice questions. Taking several practice tests will assure you are prepared and will most likely have seen the question (and answer) beforehand.


Q: How many hours are required to get my pilot certificate?
A: The FAA regulations state that you must have a minimum of 40 hours of total flight time including at least 20 hours of instruction and at least 10 hours of solo practice. However, most people require a bit more than that. 85% of Cessna Pilot Centers students complete the training in about 70 hours while the national average is around 85 hours total. It is possible to do it in less time though if you fly frequently.


Q: How much does it cost?
A: How quickly you complete the course and therefore, the total cost of the training depends mainly on you. A flight instructor cost $60-$65/hour for instruction. Training aircraft such as Cessna 172 are used for training, and they cost between $135 - $140 per hour. Normally you are charged by time on a meter in the airplane called a Hobbs meter. It clicks off tenths of hours only when the engine is running. While your costs may vary, below is a summary you can use for budgeting and a range of costs:
 

65 hours flight instruction $8775 2 hours of simulation instruction $40 45 hours of instruction time $2,700 Medical Exam $90 Headset $350+ Knowledge Test $90 FAA Checkride $300 CPC CBI Kit $330 Estimated Total $12,585

 

You normally pay as you go so it is not necessary to come up with all the money at once and financing is available from multiple sources. Again, this is just an estimate and your costs may vary. Most people train over a two to twelve month period. Flying is a physical skill as well as a mental skill. The greater the intensity of your training, the faster you will progress, and usually, the more money you will save. If you were able to fly a couple of hours every day, five days a week, you could complete your training in about two months. It is also possible to use our simulator to cut about 2.5 hours of flying time from the total as well. If you have the time to dedicate to an accelerated program and study and fly 8-10 hours per day, you could complete the private pilot training in 3-4 weeks and usually in less time.


Q: When will I be able to fly solo?
A: That is entirely up to your instructor and your progression in training. Many students solo with approximately 15-20 hours of training. It could be more or less depending on how often you fly, and what you have been able to accomplish. Your instructor is required to provide you with specific training and must judge your abilities before he/she can allow you to solo.


Q: What if I'm not sure I'll like it or I don't have "the right stuff"?
A: The introductory Discovery Flight Lesson is a time honored tradition. Come out to NNA and take an introductory lesson. For about the price of nice dinner for two, you will go up with an instructor and actually fly. After an inspection of the airplane, your instructor will get you airborne and begin your instruction in the four fundamentals; flying straight and level, turns, climbs, and descents. You'll probably be nervous but excited at the same time. My bet is that after you return, you'll have a smile on your face and be ready to start your training. I'll also bet that you DO have the right stuff. We are teaching you how to fly an airplane safely from point A to point B – not perform aerobatics. There are no extraordinary personal skills involved in learning to fly an airplane. You would be surprised at how many of your friends, neighbors or co-workers are actually pilots. Our youngest student is only 14 years old and many of our students start their flying while in high school! Call now to schedule your Discovery Flight and see what its all about!