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Flying is a very rewarding and challenging activity, and the process of becoming a pilot is simple.
It gives you a wonderful freedom and is for the young and old alike.
One of the best ways to find out about flying is to talk to a pilot. Any pilot will jump at the chance
to share his or her experiences as a pilot. It is a wonderful experience to share with family and friends.
To be a pilot you have to be at least 17 years of age. In order to fly solo you have to be 16 years of age.
The FAA requires 40 hours of flight training. The training is divided into solo time and time with a Flight
Instructor. During your flight training you will have at least 10 hours solo, and at least 20 hours with a Flight
Instructor. A physical exam is needed before you can fly solo. The Medical has to be performed by an Aviation
Medical Examiner. There are several Doctors in the area who are able to give medical exams for flying. There is
even one who has an office at the airport.
There are two test involved. The first test is a Knowledge Test from the FAA. It tests your base knowledge about
things like weather, rules, and flight planning. It is not a difficult test ,but it is important to understand the
information and be able to apply it in real life. The Knowledge test can be taken at any time before the Practical
test. The second test is the Practical Test. This is the flying test. This is the final step to becoming a Private
Pilot. You will fly with an FAA Designated Examiner. The Examiner sits down with you discusses your aviation knowledge
and decision making abilities. Then you go out and demonstrate your mastery of the airplane by performing certain
maneuvers. When the test is over you have a license to fly. You can take your friends and family up and share your
new ability. Then you can work on a higher rating to fly in the clouds. This is called an Instrument rating. The
possibilities and challenges are nearly endless in aviation.
For more information on general aviation, please visit the following links:
http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/
http://www.gaservingamerica.com
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