Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get my pilot’s license?

Getting your Private Pilot License is easier than you think, especially with today’s advances in instruction techniques, ground school educational aids and aircraft design and development. Phoenix Air is leading the flight training community in its training techniques and training aircraft. At Phoenix Air, we smile when we talk about the fact that if you can ride a bike or drive a car…you can fly an airplane. The simple fact is, it’s true.

How do I know that I will be trained right? What makes Phoenix Air different from other flight schools?

The Phoenix Air Flight School has a proven success rate. Over 90% of our students pass their FAA Flight Test on the first attempt. Our instructors are full time and have the extensive knowledge and experience to train you in a timely manner.

What if I have difficulty in understanding the course material and subjects?

All our instruction is strictly one to one. We don’t have huge classrooms where you feel intimidated to ask questions. Everyone is different, so you are treated as an individual. Some students may have different academic strengths and weaknesses: these situations are addressed on a more detailed and personal level. If you have questions about a topic in your training – we will figure it out together. The Private Pilot course requires only basic high school level of knowledge, so it is not as difficult to master as it would appear.

What do I have to take in the way of exams or tests during the course?

To earn a Private Pilot License, at the end of the course you will have to pass a written test at the end of the course consisting of 60 multiple choice questions covering various subject matter taught during the course. The 60 questions are taken from a possible universe of 738 questions that the FAA draws from. There is a certain amount of self study required, but if problems are encountered your flight instructor will review the problem areas with you before you take the exam. In any case, we have access to study guides with all the 738 questions and answers for your review. Also, you will have to pass a fairly basic medical exam which is by no means out of reach from those who are handicapped or medically impaired in some way. Finally, you will take a practical test consisting of an oral test and an actual flight test with an FAA designated examiner to show the examiner you are proficient at flying.

Is it best to learn to fly at a controlled or uncontrolled airport?

If you decide to learn to fly at a tower controlled airport you may want to take these procedures into consideration. Learning to fly at a tower controlled airport will get you speaking on the radio to an air traffic controller early on, but you will find a lot of time wasted on the ground talking to a controller while waiting for clearances. You may find that the actual lesson will not start until you are airborne, and even then you will have to fly to areas of uncontrolled airspace to practice your maneuvers. This may take 20-30 minutes and waste your time and money. At the Cartersville-Bartow County Airport, we are uncontrolled, which means our instructors can give their total attention to you right from aircraft startup. As soon as you get airborne, you will start your lesson. You will learn more and in a faster time frame. The controlled airport practice that is required as part of your course will be accomplished at another airport just 10 flying minutes away when you are ready for that phase of your training. This also makes training less daunting during your initial phase of learning because you can concentrate on flying your aircraft and not looking around for other aircraft lined up behind you.

How do I get started?

The Phoenix Air Flight School offers an introductory lesson that enables you to go flying with an FAA certificated Flight Instructor. You will fly for 30 minutes during which time you will take the controls of the aircraft and get a good idea of what to expect during your training. The instructor will show you the aircraft’s basic controls, how they work, and some basic flight maneuvers. The introductory lesson is just $89 and gives you insight into the world of aviation. If you feel that flying is something you would like to pursue, then we can schedule you immediately for your first lesson. Regardless of what you decide, you will not be pressured by us.

Ok, I have taken a trial lesson and I like what I saw. What now? How long will it take me to get my license? How often should I fly?

If you decide that you want to learn to fly, then you will have to decide how long you want your training to take. Students go at their own pace. At Phoenix Air we specialize in getting pilots through our school in a timely period. We can get you through in as little as 4-weeks if necessary, although because of family and work most students take several months. If this is the case, you still need to fly as often as possible so that a current lesson is not spent reviewing what you learned in the previous lesson if too much time elapsed. You should normally try to fly at least once or twice a week.

How long does this process really take? Is there a minimum of time involved?

To become a Private Pilot you must complete a minimum of 20-hours of in-flight training with an FAA approved Certified Flight Instructor. This is known as “dual” instruction. You must also fly a minimum of 10-hours alone in the aircraft after you “solo” and perform various maneuvers. Typically, and depending on the time frame you want to become qualified in, you can realistically expect at least 30-hours of dual flight and 10-hours of solo flight, and you will need to complete 15-20 hours of ground school during your course. Following this you will be scheduled for your FAA examination and flight test.

What days and times can I schedule my instruction?

Phoenix Air’s Flight School is normally open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Evening slots are also available for students to schedule instructors for flying at night which is part of the school curriculum. Our Flight School is like a large family, instructors are usually around to answer questions and work with students when necessary.