How to Learn to Fly

Create a budget. Costs include fees for classroom instruction, flight instruction and airplane usage. Figure on about $6,000 to learn how to solo within a year of beginning. You will need to pay for about 30 hours of instructor time and 50 hours of airplane time. Your costs are likely to go up, due to the need for increased instruction time, if you take an extended break during your training.

Train in the type of airplane that you will eventually be flying on your own. Otherwise, you'll need to immediately get checked out in another plane once the licensing process is complete. For example, if you want to take friends on a weekend flight, make sure you do some training in a four-seater, not just a two-seater.

Evaluate your time commitments. You will need to devote time to both classroom instruction and flying time. If your schedule is already busy, wait until you can clear up more free time. An intensive period of instruction is far more effective than scheduling lessons with long breaks in between. Try to fly at least once per week.

Research flight schools. The phone book is a good starting point, but also talk to friends and colleagues who fly. Visit several schools and look around. Ask questions until you have a clear picture of the instruction process, costs and type of airplane that will be available to you.

Verify that the instruction schedule fits your needs. Ask about the availability of planes during the times that are convenient for you.

Interview flying instructors. Look for someone whose safety record is impeccable and with whom you feel comfortable. You'll be spending considerable time with this person. Ask each potential instructor how many students he or she has successfully guided through the entire license process and ask to contact former students.

Ask about insurance. Make sure you're adequately covered. Insurance is similar to automobile policies in terms of the risks that need to be covered. You want protection against property damage, airplane damage, liability, and medical coverage for yourself and anyone you might injure.