• Why Learn to Fly?
By obtaining your private pilot certificate, you open up a whole new world of opportunities. The personal freedom provided by your “license to learn” alone is enough to make all the training worthwhile. Never again will you have to endure the rigorous inspections and excessive regulations when traveling via the airlines. Pursuing your private pilot certificate enables you to fly for personal, business, travel, or vacation with friends and family at your own leisure and on your own schedule. It alleviates much of the stress you may normally undergo with airline travel. It also allows for an individual to work with advanced technology in a three-dimensional airspace to see the world in a whole new light.
• What is a Private Pilot Certificate and what can you DO with it?
A private pilot certificate enables you to fly a single engine, propeller driven aircraft on days during ideal weather conditions when circumstances do not require flying using instruments. As a private pilot, you are qualified to fly friends and family around simply for the purpose of enjoyment, or for business travel purposes. You can continue a professional development track through your commercial and instrument ratings, or simply add endorsements such as tail wheel and aerobatics for fun.
• What does it take to become eligible to Fly?
There are a few simple requirements an individual must meet prior to receiving his or her private pilot certificate. First, a person must be at least seventeen (17) years of age and capable of reading, writing, and speaking English. Despite the age requirement of 17 to receive the private rating, an individual may begin training at any age and solo as a student pilot at the age of 16. In addition, the student must pass a physical screening conducted by an FAA approved physician prior to flying solo (see the FAA link below in the Flight Physical section).
• What does a typical flight lesson consist of?
Each flight lesson generally consists of three major components. The beginning of the lesson, called the pre-flight briefing, is where the student and instructor inspect the aircraft to ensure it is in airworthy condition. This time is also used to discuss what maneuvers and exercises will be covered during the flight. During the flight, the student will be in control of the aircraft, with the instructor informing him or her on how to maneuver the aircraft properly. The final portion of the lesson, known as the post-flight or debriefing, gives the student and the instructor an opportunity to discuss areas which may require further preparation prior to the next flight lesson. When scheduling, we typically reserve two hours per lesson to ensure that enough time is allotted to thoroughly cover all topics during the lesson.
• How long will it Take Me to Achieve My Private Pilot Rating?
There really is no set answer to this question. The time it takes to achieve the private pilot rating really depends on the motivation and availability of the student. The minimum number of hours required to obtain the private pilot license is 40, 10 of which must be solo. Depending upon the student’s schedule and availability, a private pilot certificate can certainly be obtained within the minimum requirement. The more consistent the student is in scheduling flight lessons, the less time will likely be required to complete the training program. The student who only flies once a month will spend much more time and money than one who flies twice a week, simply because they will have to revisit many topics as the will likely forget much of the knowledge gained during the previous lesson. All things considered, the average student earns their certificate in 45 to 55 hours. According to the FAA’s website, that number can be higher!
• What is the Cost of Getting My Private Pilot Certificate?
The total cost of obtaining the private certificate is approximately $8,000 to $10,000; once again contingent upon the length of time it takes for the student to complete his or her training. Paying close attention and following your syllabus closely, as well as completing the “homework” assigned by your instructor will significantly reduce the time and cost to acquire your certificate!
• Why Epix Aviation?
The owners and founder of Epix Aviation have a strong passion for aviation and enjoy providing an exceptional flight training service to their customers in the Tidewater Area. Epix Aviation’s mission is to provide customers with a safe, quality flight training experience. The school aims to improve flight training through the use of modern aircraft, professional and friendly instructors, and an unwavering emphasis on safety and organization. We hope that you choose to fly with us and experience the thrill of flight!
• How Do I Get Started?
To begin experiencing the thrill of flight, simply give us a call or stop by our more-than-welcoming facility. Any of our staff members will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding flight training. The first, and most important, step is the discovery flight ($129.99). This is an hour-long experience with at least a 45-minute flight which gives you the opportunity to discover whether or not aviation is for you. During this flight, you are able to take control of the aircraft, and get a feel for flying from the pilot seat. If you realize this is a hobby worth pursuing, you may purchase a logbook and record this discovery flight as your first lesson. We will also register you in our convenient online scheduling program, which will enable you to check the availability of our aircraft and instructors and make reservations accordingly. The staff at Epix Aviation takes pride in the flight school, and is very confident you will enjoy your flight training experience. We hope to see you in the near future!
• Where do I go to get my Flight Physical?
There are several doctors to choose from in the Hampton Roads area. You can locate an examiner near you on the FAA’s web site here.