Frequently Asked Questions

PART 61 OR 141?

V1 Time to Climb is a Part 61 school, which means we can be more flexible with training schedules and have the ability to tailor the curriculum to meet individual student needs. Students are not required to complete a formal ground school program. If they wish, students can complete home study courses, or simply review material with a qualified flight instructor.

Don’t assume that Part 61 and Part 141 have different training standards. The main difference is in the style of teaching. Both Part 61 and Part 141 require the same standards be met by the student who is learning to fly. Regardless of which type of training you choose, you will need to gain the same aeronautical knowledge and meet the same performance standards when you take your FAA tests.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There are a lot of variables that affect the cost of learning to fly, including the frequency of flight lessons, the type of aircraft in which you choose to do your training and its availability for scheduling, and the learning curve of each individual . A rough estimate would range between $8,000 and $14,000, depending on the certificate being sought.

HOW LONG DOES FLIGHT TRAINING TAKE?

The same variables that affect the cost of learning to fly will affect the time it takes to earn your certificate. The Federal Aviation Regulations state that a person who applies for a private pilot certificate must log at least 40 hours of flight time. The national average is somewhere between 50-60 hours. These flight hours can be spread over a time span of several months to a year or more. You and your instructor will determine the best training schedule for you, including frequency and length of individual lessons.

WHAT IS THE AGE REQUIREMENT?

You can begin taking flying lessons at any age. With that said, you do have to be at least 16 years old before you can solo an airplane and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate. Therefore, it may not be particularly efficient from the standpoint of cost and flight hours to begin lessons too early.

WHAT DO I NEED TO START MY TRAINING?

Proof of citizenship in the form of a birth certificate or US passport and an appointment with us is all you will need to start. It’s that simple!

HOW IS THE TRAINING SCHEDULED?

All flight training is conducted on a one-on-one basis. We offer flexible hours and tailor your lessons to fit your availability and budget. We have a limited number of slots we can fill, so the more lead time you can give us the better your chances of getting the day and time that works best for you. The length of each lesson will differ, but a standard lesson is two hours and will consist of some ground work and an hour or so of actual air time. Students can schedule lessons by calling our office or using our online scheduling system.

WILL I HAVE ONE INSTRUCTOR OR SEVERAL?

You will be assigned to one flight instructor who will mentor you and manage your flight training from start to finish. There may be times when you have flights with other instructors (eg: flights on your instructor’s day off), however we will ensure that anytime you are scheduled to fly with another flight instructor, that instructor will know exactly where you are in your training and what needs to be reviewed from previous lessons.

DO I NEED RENTAL INSURANCE?

A student does not need special insurance when flying with an instructor. However, V1 requires that all renters and students must show proof of renters insurance prior to solo flight. You must have liability coverage and a minimum of $40,000 in physical damage coverage. Some places we recommend for purchasing affordable renters insurance are listed below.

AOPA Insurance Agency
www.aopaia.com
1-800-622-AOPA

Avemco Insurance Agency
www.avemco.com
1-888-241-7891

HOW IS YOUR SCHOOL’S SAFETY RECORD?

Flight lessons are VERY safe. Our training aircraft have two sets of controls so the instructor is always ready to assist the student pilot with any training opportunity that arises during a lesson. We do not cut corners on maintenance to save money, and we always put safety first. Our fleet is carefully maintained by certified mechanics at our on-site maintenance facility. Occasionally, we will reschedule a student pilot’s lesson due to routine aircraft maintenance or weather, however, this is completely normal and to be expected in the aviation world.