The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a set number of minimum hours in order to attain your Private Pilot License.

Wings Over Texas operates under The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) Part 61 which requires the following:

* 40 Hours of Total Flight Time

The time breaks down as follows. This is what you can expect during your private pilot training:

* 20 Hours of Dual Instruction
including...
- 3 Hours of Dual Cross Country (XC) (50 or More Miles. 1 Way)
- 3 Hours of Dual Night Flight
(100 NM night XC)
(10 Night Take-Offs and Landings to a Full Stop)
- 3 Hours Simulated Instrument (Hood)
- 3 Hours Prep within 60 days of Check Ride

* 10 Hours of Solo Flight
including...
- 5 Hours of Solo XC (50 or More Miles)
(1 XC must be 150 Total Miles with Stops @ 3 Airports)
- 3 Solo Take-Offs and Landings @ an Airport with an Operating Control Tower

* Pre-Flight Checks
* Start Up, Taxi and Run Up
* Radio Communications
* Cross Country Pilotage
* Navigation
* Normal Take Offs and Landings
* Short and Soft Field Take Offs and Landings
* Slips to a Landing
* Go Arounds
* Turns Around A Point
* Rectangular Patterns
* S-Turns Across A Road
* Slow Flight
* Power On / Off Stalls
* Steep Turns
* Emergency Procedures
* VOR Tracking
* Hood Work

In addition you are required to have ground schooling and 3 tests:
1) Written
2) Oral
3) Practical Flight Test

Seems like quite a bit to take in huh? Well, don't worry, we will take it one at a time and when you take your check ride you will be ready and confident.

SO, LET'S GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT... WHAT DOES IT COST TO GET YOUR PRIVATE PILOT LISCENSE? HERE IS THE WHOLE TRUTH.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FLIGHT INSTRUCTION BE SURE TO ASK FOR ALL OF THE RELATED COSTS OF THE FLYING.

DIRECT COST:
OUR PRIMARY TRAINERS ARE THE 2 CESSNA 172'S. THEY RENT FOR $80 / HOUR
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IS $30/HOUR.

THE FLIGHT TIME REQUIREMENTS ARE:
40 TT 20 DUAL 10 SOLO 10 MISC.

* 20 DUAL = $2700

* 10 SOLO = $1100

* 10 MISC. = $1300

* 15 OVERFLIGHT = $1600

TOTAL FLIGHT TIME COSTS = Appx. $6700

NOW, FOR THE WHOLE COSTS. THESE ARE TOO OFTEN NOT MENTIONED UP FRONT. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING TO COMPLETE YOU TRAINING:

* FLIGHT PHYSICAL EXAM - $95.00
* WRITTEN EXAM - $95.00
* FAA FLIGHT CHECK - $300.00
* PILOT SUPPLIES AND TEXTS - $300
* HEADSETS - $150
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST FOR TESTS = Appx. $1000 (+/-)

THE TOTAL COST CAN BE EXPECTED TO RUN NO LESS THAN: $7500-$8000

THIS IS AN ESTIMATED COST BUT REPRESENTS A FAIR ESTIMATE OF THE FINAL TOTAL. IF YOU GET A PRICE THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER ($1500+) YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE WHOLE STORY. OUR PLANES RENT FOR ONE OF THE LOWEST RATES IN THE ENTIRE NATION, OUR PILOT SUPPLIES ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST AND THE TESTS ARE STANDARD AND UNCHANGABLE.

CONSIDER WHAT ONE OF MY STUDENTS TOLD ME.

"I DID NOT THINK I HAD THE MONEY TO GET MY PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE, YET I BOUGHT A NEW BOAT THIS YEAR AND A NEW MOTORCYCLE THAT YEAR. THEY COST MORE THAN THE TRAINING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN 5-10 YEARS. THIS, HOWEVER, WILL BE MINE THE REST OF MY LIFE.