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Learn To Fly: March 2008

Becoming a pilot is a dream for many. Here we present the basics to help you make that dream a reality.

What Are The Requirements?
To earn your private certificate, you must be at least 17, though you can “solo” (fly without an instructor) at 16. Federal regulations require 35 to 40 hours in the air, divided between different types of flying (i.e., night, solo, cross-country, etc.). You must pass an FAA written exam as well as a medical exam performed by a doctor specializing in aviation medicine. Finally, you must pass a practical exam demonstrating your skills in the airplane with a pilot examiner on board.

Is It Safe?
The media isn’t kind to aviation. If you watch the news or read the newspaper on a regular basis, you might think flying is dangerous. It seems like “little airplanes” are crashing all the time. The truth, however, paints a different picture.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were 43,443 fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2005. During the same year, there were 562 fatal general aviation (GA) accidents. It may be interesting to note that there were 697 fatal recreational boating accidents that same year.

While it’s difficult to precisely compare aviation risk to motor vehicle risk, research proves that flying is safer than it may seem. At its worst, flying may be on par with riding a motorcycle. If you eliminate accident factors you should never encounter (like flying intoxicated, irresponsibly or into bad weather), flying becomes even safer. Instructional flying is the safest of all GA flying. Every minute of your training will go toward making you a safe pilot. The entire aviation curriculum is focused on safety. Advances in aircraft, technology, weather prediction and reporting, navigation and communication make flying safer today than it has ever been.

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