Many people are interested in learning to fly, but for many it seems that something always stands in the way. Sometimes the obstacles may seem difficult, such as finding the time, the courage, or the money. But most of the time it may just be a question of how important flying is to you.
Finding the time for your flight training requires a certain amount of dedication and persistence on your part. Setting aside a certain number of hours per week may require sitting down with an instructor and working out an individual lesson schedule that is convenient for you. The flexibility of our instructors and aircraft scheduling will help make it all possible.
Finding the courage to fulfill your dream of flying can lead to many safe and rewarding experiences in aviation. Since safety is the number one concern of our club, I can tell you that your flight instructor will always conduct flights in a safe manner to safeguard you and the airplane. Flight instructors are highly trained and motivated individuals who take pride in the accomplishments of their students. Your flight instructor has the experience to determine whether or not you are ready for the big step of solo flight, solo cross-country, or taking the flight test for your license.
Cost is an obstacle for some, but like many other things we really want to do, it can be done more easily than we imagined. Our club offers some of the most reasonable aircraft rates in the Quad Cities. The following tables show the costs that can normally be expected.
| Student license and medical examination | $80 |
| Flying Country Club stock (7 shares @ $80/share) | $560 |
| Transfer fee on Club stock purchase ($5/share) | $35 |
| Ground school materials & pilot equipment | $140 |
| Subtotal | $815 |
| Ground school for a written test (20 hrs. @ $22/hr.) | $440 |
| Dual flight instruction (20 hrs. @ $22/hr.) | $440 |
| Ground time with an instructor (10 hrs. @ $22/hr.) | $220 |
| Aircraft rental, Cessna 152 (40 hrs. @ $35/hr.) | $1,400 |
| Monthly dues (4 months @ $46/month) | $184 |
| Private Pilot written examination | $70 |
| Private Pilot flight test | $120 |
| Grand total | $3,689 |
Unless you train at a "Part 141" school, the FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours flight time for the private pilot license. However, several studies have shown that the average person requires much more time before taking the flight test. The cost in the table above is for a person requiring 40 hours total flight time. However, it has been estimated that the average student needs from 55 to 70 hours total flight time. Instructor fees are by agreement between student and instructor, but typically they run from $20 to $25 per hour.
Ground school is the academic training you will receive "on the ground". During ground school you will learn aerodynamics, aircraft systems, nomenclature, meteorology, navigation, regulations, radio procedures, and all about airports. Ground school instruction does not have to be done by the same instructor as your flight time, although your flight instructor is very qualified to do so. When your ground school instructor thinks you are ready to take the written exam, he or she will "recommend" you for the exam. You cannot take the written exam without a recommendation. Ask your flight instructor about the various ways to do ground school.
Ground time is the time your flight instructor spends with you preflighting the aircraft, doing a flight plan, critiquing your flight, or other similar activities. Be sure you know whether or not your instructor charges for ground time, and his rate. 10 hours is typical for this...other individuals may have more.
Flight time is the time actually spent at the controls of the aircraft. Our Cessna 152 is equipped with a Hobbs hour meter that turns on as soon as the engine starts, and stops when the engine is shut down. Once the engine starts, the Hobbs runs similar to a clock and can be used to log your flight time. Moving around the airport environment before and after a flight is part of piloting and is also loggable as flight time.
Once you are an active member of the Flying Country Club you are also an aircraft owner. The club carries liability insurance on you as an owner, and hull insurance on the aircraft. The hull insurance has a deductible that you are responsible for if an aircraft is in any way damaged while in your care. The amount of deductible changes occasionally according to our most recent insurance policy. Be sure you know the limitations. Many members pay an annual fee into a voluntary fund that lowers their deductible. If you are interested, ask about it.
Remember, once you are an active member, you are a part owner. None of us are professional "club operators". As a club member you are expected to help the club operate as efficiently as possible. We do not have janitors on the payroll, so don't be afraid to help keep the place clean as well. We also have airplane wash days twice a year. The things we must pay for directly impact the cost of your flying!
Whether you get your license in the FAA minimum of 40 hours or 70 hours, it will all be an exciting and rewarding experience. Besides, there are very few situations in which you can learn to do something as challenging as this and have this much fun at the same time. It will give you a view of the world few people will ever see!