THE PREMIER FLIGHT SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO
2065 N. Marshall Avenue - El Cajon, CA 92020 - Phone: (619)448-2212

Over the years I have been asked many times what I do for a living, and my response is the same each time, “I change people’s lives by teaching them to fly!”   It is an incredible privilege to meet or introduce flying to someone who shares the same enthusiasm for aviation as I do.  To help you better understand the process of learning to fly, I have taken the most common questions and answers from the FAA web page, and tried to reduce the answers to an understandable format that can help you get into an airplane in pursuit of your dreams!  I look forward to meeting you at our school and making you at home during your visit.  Good luck in your pursuit of flying!  I guarantee it will be one of the most exciting and challenging endeavor you will undertake during your lifetime!  

My personal commitment to you is that if you sign up for our $59 introductory flight by calling California flight Academy at (619) 448-2212 or clicking info@flycfa.com , I will offer you an unconditional refund if that flight is not everything you expected it to be; that is how certain I am that you will find this to be an incredible experience!

Best personal regards,  

Len Mooney,
CEO,
California Flight Academy

• General Questions
• Student Pilot's Certificate Requirements
• Medical Certificate Requirements
• Student Pilot Training and Limits
• Recreational Pilot's and Private Pilot's Certificates
• Recreational Pilot And Private Pilot Knowledge (Written) Tests
• Recreational Pilot And Private Pilot Practical Tests
• Limits on the Recreational Pilot's Certificate

No. People of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities have learned to fly. It's fun, and from the beginning of your training, you get to do most of the actual flying! If you can drive a car, in most cases you can easily fly an airplane.

On the practical side-While flying isn't a difficult skill to learn, you'll have to be willing to stick with it until you meet all the requirements.

How much does it cost to learn to fly?

Around $7,000 to $8,000 including all books, materials, instructor, fuel, and aircraft rental. However, it also depends upon what type of school you attend. Unlike many other schools, California Flight Academy is regulated under both Parts 61 and 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, and has the flexibility to offer training tailored to your individual needs. In this way we can maximize your learning rate, while maintaining the highest degree of safety. 141 schools, its aircraft, and its instructors are specially qualified by the FAA to offer accelerated courses that have lower hourly requirements to obtain your Pilot Certificate! Under Part 141, a student can qualify for a Private Pilot Certificate in only 35 total hours of flight time! However, the National average is about 55 hours, and at California Flight Academy, in part because we are located at an airport with great year-round weather and it is not busy, our average flight time to become a Private Pilot is typically 50 hours or less. When comparing prices, make sure the flight school quotes you for the hours it is likely to take rather than just the minimum!

Is financial assistance available?

Absolutely! Student loans are available from Key Bank for up to $80,000 on approved credit. Extremely favorable terms include delayed repayment plans, low interest rates, and co-borrower options allowing almost anyone to affordably qualify to learn to fly! California Flight Academy also offers VA benefits to qualified veterans and 100% financing to military and qualified civilian borrowers. Click HERE for rates, repayment terms or an on-line application and instant approval, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can also call toll free 1-800-KEY-LEND.

In many cases, the interest charged on student loans is tax deductible as an education expense. Consult your tax professional on whether this applies to you.

When can I start?

Right away; why not schedule an introductory flight today? It is a great way to see if you like flying - and you can even bring a friend or family member. All you have to do is call California flight Academy at (619) 448-2212 or click here info@flycfa.com and ask for the special Introductory Flight starting at $59. You will be on your way to the freedom and excitement of becoming a Private pilot! If you want to know more about what to expect in your introductory flight, you can request a CD Video that will be mailed to you, or that you can view at the school, which will show you exactly what to expect, how exciting and fun it is, and how easy it is to become a Private Pilot! 

How many lessons do I have to take before I solo?

It depends on you and how many lessons per week you take. There is no set number of lessons or hours of flight training. An average person can safely takeoff and land the aircraft in the first few weeks of training if they dedicate themselves to learning! Remember, it is generally no more difficult than driving a car, but twice as much fun and more exciting!

Your instructor will make sure you have learned to perform certain maneuvers before signing your Student Pilot Certificate, enabling you to solo. These maneuvers include safe takeoffs and landings. You must demonstrate good judgment when flying and be comfortable maneuvering the aircraft. After a few flight lessons, your personal flight instructor can give you a better idea of how long it might take you based upon your skills.

Is flying safe?

Yes. A well-built and well-maintained aircraft flown by a competent and prudent pilot is as safer than many other forms of transportation.

If engine failure occurs, what will happen?

Modern aircraft engines are reliable and failure rarely occurs. However, your lessons will cover what to do in this situation, including selecting a good landing area and safely landing. Training aircraft can usually glide distances over 15 times their altitude. That means an aircraft that is 5000 feet above the ground, can usually glide over 15 miles to a wide variety of safe landing spots!

Is professional Pilot Training Available to become an Airline Pilot?

California Flight Academy specializes in professional pilot training. Many of our former students have learned from our retired airline professionals who have the inside track on how to pursue a professional airline career, including proven interview techniques. California Flight Academy offers placement programs after graduation from the Commercial pilot program that puts YOU immediately in the pilot seat earning money while you build time and experience toward your airline career. Full time students can easily achieve this goal in less than one year from enrollment. Housing is available for foreign and domestic full-time students and can be viewed by clicking HERE. Our program includes special incentive pricing for combination courses including Private-Commercial-Instrument-Multi Engine-Certified Flight Instructor ("CFI & CFII"), and Airline Transport Pilot ("ATP"). Click HERE for information on our Professional Pilot courses.

Before you can fly solo. However, you don't need a student pilot's certificate to take flying lessons.

Am I eligible for a student pilot's certificate?

You are eligible if:

• You are at least 16 years old. If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you must be at least 14 years old.
• You can read, speak, and understand English AND:
• You hold at least a current third-class medical certificate. 

If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you only have to certify that you have no medical defect that would make you unable to pilot a glider or balloon. 

How do I get a student pilot's certificate?

Upon your request, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner will issue you a combined medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate after you complete your physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office.

How long are my student pilot's certificate and my medical certificate valid?

They expire 2 years from the date they were issued.

Can I renew my student certificate and medical certificate?

No, but you can get a new one.

If my original Student Pilot Certificate has been endorsed for solo flying, do I lose this endorsement on my new certificate?

No, the endorsements are still valid. However, they are not transferred to the new certificate. Keep the old certificate as a record of these endorsements.

Should my flight instructor endorse my student pilot's certificate before or after my first solo flight?

Before. The endorsement certifies that you are competent to solo.

If I solo in more than one make or model of aircraft, must I have an endorsement for each on my student pilot's certificate? If so, who should endorse the certificate?

Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement before you solo in each make or model of aircraft.

Does the endorsement to solo allow me to make solo cross-country flights?

No. You also have to get a cross-country flight endorsement from you flight instructor.

Must I carry my student pilot's certificate with me when I am piloting an aircraft in solo flight?

Yes.

Is there a charge for the student pilot's certificate?

Not when it's issued by an FAA Flight Standards District Office. However, an FAA-designated pilot examiner can charge for issuing student pilot's certificates. Also, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner can charge for your physical examination in connection with issuing the combination medical certificate and student pilot's certificate.

You need a medical certificate before flying solo in an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. We suggest you get your medical certificate before beginning flight training. This will alert you to any condition that would prevent you from becoming a pilot before you pay for lessons.
If you are going to pilot a balloon or glider, you don't need a medical certificate. All you need to do is write a statement certifying that you have no medical defect that would make you unable to pilot a balloon or glider.

If required, how do I get a medical certificate?

By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.

Where do I get my medical certificate?

From any FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner. There are approximately 6,000 of them in the U.S.

Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners?

The FAA publishes a directory that lists them by name and address. You can get a copy from any FAA Flight Standards District Office, air traffic control facility, or flight service station. Airport managers and some aviation businesses may also be able to supply this information.

When required, what class of medical certificate must a student pilot have?

Third-class, although any class will suffice. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally, first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; second-class for the commercial pilot; and third-class for the student, recreational and private pilot.

If I have a physical disability, can I get a medical certificate?

Yes. Medical certificates can be issued in many cases where physical disabilities are involved. Depending on the nature of the disability, you may have some operating limitations. If you have any questions, contact an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner before beginning flight training.

Must I carry my medical certificate when I am flying solo?

Yes.

Contact California Flight Academy at (619) 448-2212 or click here info@flycfa.com and ask for the special Introductory Flight starting at $59. You will be on your way to the freedom and excitement of becoming a Private pilot! If you want to know more about what to expect in your introductory flight, you can request a CD Video that will be mailed to you, or that you can view at the school, which will show you exactly what to expect, how exciting and fun it is, and how easy it is to become a Private Pilot! If you are already a certificated pilot and want to upgrade to an advanced pilot certificate, you can request a CD Video that will be mailed to you, or that you can view at the school that will describe in detail what to expect during your advanced training.

Does my pilot training include a written test?

Yes. Before flying solo, you must be familiar with some of the FAA's rules and with the flight characteristics and operational limitations of the make and model of the aircraft you will fly. Your personal flight instructor will give you some materials to study, and then test your knowledge. When you pass, your instructor will endorse your student pilot's certificate for solo flight. The endorsement means that your instructor thinks you are competent to make solo flights. It is fun and easy to pass these tests and the rewards are great!

When do I have to get the endorsement?

Within 90 days of your first solo flight.

After I've soloed, can I fly cross-country alone?

Not right away. Your instructor must review your pre-flight planning and preparation for solo cross-country flight and determine that the flight can be made safely under known circumstances and conditions. The instructor must also endorse your logbook before cross-country flight stating you are considered competent to make that particular flight.

As a student pilot, can I carry passengers with me before getting my recreational or private pilot's certificate?

No.

Must I have an FCC radiotelephone operator's permit to operate an aircraft radio transmitter?

No.

What is the difference between a recreational pilot's certificate and a private pilot's certificate?

As a recreational pilot, you have to fly within 50 nautical miles of the airport where you learned to fly, you have to fly during the day, and you can't fly in airspace where communications with air traffic control are required. A private pilot doesn't have these limitations.

It usually takes fewer lessons to get a recreational pilot's certificate than a private pilot's certificate.

You must be at least 17 years old. If you want to be a private glider pilot or be rated for free flight in a balloon, you must be at least 16 years old.

What tests do I have to pass to get a recreational pilot's certificate or private pilot's certificate?

You have to pass both a written knowledge test and a practical (flight) test. See below for more information about these tests.

California Flight Academy, Of Course! We are an authorized Laser Grade Testing Center and you can take the test at your convenience in your own school.

How old do I have to be to take the recreational pilot or private pilot written test?

At least 15 years old. If you want to pilot a balloon or glider, you must be at least 14 years old. Before taking the knowledge test, you may have to show proof of age, such as a birth certificate.

How should I prepare for the knowledge test?

You should study the materials identified by your flight instructor or included in your home-study course. California Flight Academy offers computer based learning tools to help you learn at your best possible rate. For the recreational pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.97 of the FAA's rules. For the private pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.105 of the FAA's rules.

What document or documents must I present before taking a knowledge test?

You have to present identification that includes your photograph, signature, and home address AND one of the following:

• A certificate of graduation from a pilot training course conducted by an FAA-approved pilot school such as California Flight Academy, or a statement of accomplishment from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground-school portion of such a course
• A written statement from an FAA-certified ground or flight instructor, certifying that you have satisfactorily completed the required ground instruction. At California Flight Academy we have several ground instructors on-site and available to help you with any questions you have about your study material.
• Logbook entries by an FAA-certified ground or flight instructor, certifying satisfactory completion of the required ground instruction
• A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground school course conducted by an agency such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or an ROTC Flight Training Program.

If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas in which I need additional work so I can study for a retest?

Yes. You will receive either AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at the California Flight Academy computer testing center). The test report will contain your test score and will also list the subject matter codes for the knowledge areas in which you were found deficient. An outline of the subject matter codes is located in the appendix of each written test book. You may refer to the appropriate written test book to determine the areas in which further study is needed. 

If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information concerning weak areas as I would if I failed the test?

Yes. (Refer to the previous answer.)

How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?

A satisfactorily completed knowledge test expires two years from the day it was taken. If a practical test is not satisfactorily completed during that period, another knowledge test must be taken.

Will my instructor review the areas in which the test report showed I was deficient?

Yes. Your personal instructor must review the areas in which you were deficient and must endorse the written test report or provide a written endorsement indicating this review has been completed.

Yes. California Flight Academy will provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to the pilot operations required for the practical test.

What papers and documents must I present to the FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner prior to my practical test?

Your personal instructor will review all papers with you prior to taking the test to insure you have everything in order on the day of your test. You will have the following items available for inspection:

• The aircraft's registration certificate
• The aircraft's airworthiness certificate
• The aircraft's operating limitations or FAA- approved aircraft flight manual (if required)
• The aircraft's equipment list
• Weight and balance data for the aircraft
• Your FCC radio station certificate
• The aircraft and engine logbooks or other maintenance records AND; 
• Any applicable airworthiness directives.

You must present the following items to the inspector:

• Your FAA Form 8710-1, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, (with the flight instructor's recommendation)
• Your satisfactory grade on an AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center)
• Your medical certificate (when required) and student pilot's certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (when appropriate), and for the make and model of airplane to be used for the practical test
• Your pilot's logbook AND;
• Your graduation certificate from California Flight Academy.

What does the practical test consist of, and how will my performance be evaluated? 

The test standards are described in the Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. Your instructor has a copy of the practical test standards and should review them with you prior to your practical test. The Test Standards booklet is available at California Flight Academy for a nominal charge.

When can I take the recreational pilot or private pilot practical test?

You can take the test as soon as, in your instructor's judgment, you are ready. By endorsing your test application, your flight instructor is making a written recommendation to this effect. Your flight instructor's written recommendation shows that you have met all the prerequisites for the practical test.

Where can I take the practical test?

Either an FAA inspector or a Designated Pilot Examiner ("DPE") can give you the practical test at California Flight Academy. Most students choose the DPE as it is more convenient and comfortable doing the test in familiar surroundings at your own flight school.

Is there any charge for taking the practical test?

If you take the test from an FAA inspector, there is no charge. You can locate your local Flight Standards District Office ("FSDO") by clicking on the following link: local FSDO. If you take the test from an FAA-designated pilot examiner, you may be charged. This is because the pilot examiner conducts tests without pay from the FAA.

May I exercise the privileges of my pilot's certificate immediately after passing my practical test or must I wait until I receive the actual pilot's certificate?

You don't have to wait! The thrill and excitement of giving your friends and family rides can be immediately exercised! The FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner will issue a temporary pilot's certificate effective for a specific time period. The FAA will issue your permanent pilot's certificate after we have reviewed your qualifications.

Is there a charge for issuing the pilot's certificate?

No. The FAA doesn't charge for issuing the original pilot's certificate. However, they do charge to replace any pilot's certificate or medical certificate. As noted already, you may have to pay for certain other services, such as a physical examination. 

You must select readily identifiable landmarks that are well beyond the boundaries of the airspace where contact with air traffic control is required. During your training, your instructor will tell you how to identify this kind of airspace.

I already have a recreational pilot's certificate, and I want to get an additional certificate or rating. For training purposes, can I fly beyond the 50-nautical-mile limit, after dark, or in airspace where I have to contact air traffic control?

Yes, if your instructor has given you the required instruction in these areas and has endorsed your pilot's logbook for each flight. You will have to carry the logbook with the required endorsements on these flights.

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