Rising Wings Aviation

Private Pilot

A Private Pilot Certificate is meant for those who would like to fly themselves but is also the beginning point for those who wish to pursue an Instrument Rating and/or pursue a Commercial Pilot Certification.

Reasons for obtaining a private pilot certificate can be plenty. Often times people are interested in flying just for fun. Another advantageous reason for one to obtain a private pilot certificate is to use an aircraft to support a business or other professional reason. Flying can reduce travel times over driving as well as add a competitive edge by reaching more people in a shorter amount of time. No matter what your objective is, a private pilot certificate allows for many useful options.

What can you do with a Private Pilot Certificate?

A private pilot certificate allows you to be the pilot in command (PIC) of any aircraft that weighs less than 12,500 pounds (a specific rating may be required for certain aircraft). As a private pilot you are allowed to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) any time of day with respect to civilian approved airspace. A private pilot is allowed to carry passengers as well as fly in furtherance of a business so long as the private pilot is not receiving compensation or goods for services as a pilot. According to federal regulations passengers of the aircraft are only allowed to pay a pro-rata equal share of the flight expenses, for items such as fuel, oil, aircraft rental costs, hangar fees, and airport expenditures.

Can you rent aircraft from Rising Wings Aviation Inc.?

With a private pilot certificate, you can rent our aircraft and fly anywhere in the United States with respect to civilian approved airspace. Along with our training model aircraft we have a technologically advanced Cirrus SR20 aircraft https://cirrusaircraft.com/aircraft/sr20/ available for rent with Cirrus Aircraft advanced training course completion.

What will you do in Private Pilot Flight Training?

Private pilot flight training in comprised of two main areas:

  1. Ground School
    Ground school is a combination of a certified home study course (Sporty’s Private Pilot Course) and classroom face to face training with one of our Certified Flight Instructors. Ground school covers the technical areas that a pilot must know outside of the flight training. Areas of focus in ground school are not limited to but include many of the following: Aircraft systems, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, navigation, federal regulations, weather, airspace, and aircraft radio communications.
  2. Flight Training
    Flight training consists of a preferred block lesson time of 3 hours. During this time expect to see about 1-2 hours of aircraft flight time. The rest of the time block is used for ground training pre and post flight briefs where you will review at home study materials as well as discuss the daily flight lesson and goals. Our training program is meant to prepare you for both the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) written and practical flight test. Private Pilot Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the written and practical flight test.

How often should you fly?

Just like learning any new skill or new language, flying will take a steady commitment of time. Although this time does not have to be excessive and overwhelming we do recommend consistency which will prove to be beneficial in material retention and certification. Our recommendation is at least 2 lessons per week. We have many students that book upwards of 5 lessons per week which is very easy to accommodate with our staffing of Certified Flight Instructors. We are open year-round Monday through Saturday. We are closed Sundays and most major holidays. Sundays can be booked by appointment only with direct approval of your desired Certified Flight Instructor.

What aircraft will you fly?

Rising Wings Aviation Inc. currently has a fleet (insert hyperlink to fleet) of Cessna 172s and a Cirrus SR20 Perspective Glass Panel Aircraft in which you can learn to fly. The Cessna 172 has a long history as a smooth and affective flight training aircraft. Cirrus Aircraft is a state-of-the-art modern aircraft that comes standard with an airframe parachute https://cirrusaircraft.com.  Our fleet consists of aircraft equipped with everything from the basic analog gauges nicknamed the “six pack” (for its arrangement of the 6 standard flight gauges) as well as the most advanced Garmin G1000 glass panel cockpit.

How long does it take to complete your training?

This is very dependent upon how often you are able to fly as well as spend time studying outside of flight your scheduled lessons. Your overall training time can be significantly reduced by utilizing our Certified Flight Instructors for ground lessons as well as routinely spending time on your Sporty’s home study training material. Flying a minimum of 2 lesson blocks per week you can expect to have your certificate in approximately 8-12 months.

How much will it cost?

Flight training costs dependent on the student. If you fly regularly, and are able to complete the course syllabus in the minimum times specified by the FAA, your total costs will be less. Below is a breakdown based on the FAA minimum requirements:

Cessna 172

  FAA Minimum Hours   Typical Average  
  Hours Cost Hours Cost

Cessna Aircraft Rental
with flight instructor (avg. $220/hour)

30 $6,600 48 $10,560

Cessna Aircraft Solo Rental
without flight instructor (avg. $145/hour)

10 $1,450 12 $1,740
FAA Medical Examination Fee   $125   $125
Flight Training Materials   $275   $275
Aircraft Rental Insurance/year   $260   $260
Ground Instruction   $1,500   $1,500
FAA Knowledge Exam   $160   $160
FAA Medical Exam   $125   $125
FAA Examiner Fee Practical Test   $400   $400
Aircraft Rental Fee for Practical   $230   $230
Estimated State Sales Tax

Non-Instruction Aircraft Rental

  $87   $87
Total   $11,087   $15,337
* These prices are an estimate. Actual costs vary per student depending on the proficiency and preparation of the student.

 

Cirrus SR20

  FAA Minimum Hours   Typical Average  
  Hours Cost Hours Cost

Cirrus Aircraft Rental
with flight instructor (avg. $325/hour)

30 $9,750 48 $15,600

Cirrus Aircraft Solo Rental
without flight instructor (avg. $250/hour)

10 $2,500 12 $3,000
FAA Medical Examination Fee   $125   $125
Flight Training Materials   $500   $500
Aircraft Rental Insurance/year   $260   $260
Ground Instruction   $1,500   $1,500
FAA Knowledge Exam   $160   $160
FAA Examiner Fee Practical Test   $400   $400
Aircraft Rental Fee for Practical   $375   $375
Estimated State Sales Tax

Non-Instruction Aircraft Rental

  $150   $150
Total Private Pilot   $15,720   $22,070
* These prices are an estimate. Actual costs vary per student depending on the proficiency and preparation of the student.

 

What will you need to get started?

Call us at 307-472-4359 for any questions you may have on how to get started. We can send you information on how to obtain your FAA medical certificate as well as schedule a face to face FREE student consultation where we can cover the program details and answer any questions that you may have about our flight training program.

To begin you will need:

  1. FAA Medical Certificate
  2. Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport or birth certificate are most common, copies are not allowed)

Prior to your first solo flight, you will need:

  1. FAA Student Pilot Certificate (we will do this with you on the day of enrollment)
  2. Be 16 years old

Before your FAA practical exam, you will need to meet all applicable requirements of FAA Federal Regulations 14 CFR part 61 (includes but not limited to):

  1. Be 17 years old
  2. Have a minimum of 40 hours flight time to include 20 hours of flight instruction and 10 hours of solo flight
  3. Pass the FAA Private Pilot aeronautical written exam
  4. Learn aeronautical decision-making, safety of flight considerations, aviation weather, aerodynamics, airport operations, etc. according to 14 CFR part 61
  5. Learn basic flight maneuvers, take-offs and landings, cross country flying, pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR navigation, GPS navigation, basic instrument flying, etc. according to 14 CFR part 61