learning to fly

Step 1: Learn to Fly the Air Fleet Way

Before signing up for that first lesson, ask yourself why you want to fly. Is it a dream you’ve had since you were a child? Are you seeking a new challenge? Do you want to expand your horizons?

What will learning to fly be like? It’s not difficult, nor unsafe. In fact, it’s often been said that it’s far more dangerous to drive to the airport. Actually, aviation is safe because of the stringent training involved and the meticulous aircraft maintenance required by the FAA. At Air Fleet, our instructors will continuously encourage you, the student, into more advanced situations to make you a better pilot – at Air Fleet, we pride ourselves on the quality of instruction given.

We have no “accelerated” flight programs. Why? We firmly believe that becoming a competent pilot takes time and experience, not just money. We are available to accomidate your schedule and to help you move as possible rapidly throught the courses. We strive to help you accomplish your goals in the least amount time.

Step 2: The Training: What’s Involved and What to Expect

All that’s required to start flying is the will to do it and working knowledge of English. Yes, that really is it. During your training, you will be instructed in many different areas of aeronautical knowledge, including:

• Fundamentals of Flight
• Meteorology and Weather
• Aircraft Performance and Weight & Balance
• Navigation by Radio Aids and Charts
• Aeronautical Decision Making

Our partnership with Cessna Aircraft has revolutionized the process of becoming a pilot. Now, you can start learning at home with your computer using Cessna’s computer based instruction kit.

Step 3: Obtaining Your Certificate

To actually obtain your Certificate, you must pass three exams. A simple written test, and the FAA has even published the questions and answers for it. All you need to do is study. The next two exams are part of the Practical exam - the actual check-ride with a Designated Examiner from the FAA who issues pilot licenses. It’s a two-part exam. The first part is an oral exam where you will answer general questions on the above subjects. The second part of the exam is where you demonstrate the maneuvers that you practiced during your training. If you perform satisfactorily, the examiner presents you your new certificate on the spot.

Step 4: Understanding How Aviation Works

Sure, flying is fun, but is it useful?

We are sure you have many questions reguarding flight trainining, but after investing thousands of dollars and many hours of time into learning to fly you may want to know how usefull it is. Right?

At nearly every airport in the U.S., you can find a Fixed Based Operator (FBO’s). The FBO will have places for you to park your plane (98% of the time for free) and have fuel available for purchase. The more established FBO’s often provide complimentary courtesy cars or offer rental cars. Basically, when you need to go somewhere, find the closest airport, fly in, and park your plane at an FBO and continue your ground travel. This flexability lets you fly to a convient airport near you finial destination saving time and reaching destination that were out of reach with out an aircraft.

After the getting you certificate Air Fleet will rent you a plane for extended travel. Take a plane cross country stopping at all the National Parks along the way or a weekend trip to Marthers Vinyard of Nantucket, or just Block Island for lunch. The Sky’s the Limit. Happy traveling.

Step 5: Obtaining Advanced Ratings

After passing the Private Pilot checkride, you can fly almost anywhere to any airport you want— day and night. You can carry passengers, however, you cannot get paid to carry them. There are certain stipulations. For instance, you can be reimbursed for using the aircraft for business, and you can split the pro-rata costs of operating the aircraft with your passengers. However, you cannot fly in the clouds or when the weather is bad.

The Instrument Rating allows you to file and fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and operate using the same rules that the airlines use. You can go through as many clouds as you can find and fly in any conditions you feel confident. The Instrument Rating is also available using our FAR Part 141 or FAR Part 61 Course.

The Commercial License allows pilots to fly “for hire” and get paid for their services. All flight instructors are required to have a Commercial Certificate. The Commercial Certificate is also available using our FAR Part 141 or FAR Part 61 Course.