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We
love aviation . . . and it shows!
One
of your first impressions of Auburn Flight Service and Northwest Aviation
College will probably be one of sincere enthusiasm. Almost all staff
members are pilots, and they feel fortunate to be involved with something
they are truly passionate and enthusiastic about: aviation. That's why
(when you enter our facility) you'll see people with "ear to ear
grins" on their faces; because they love what they do. These attitudes
help create an environment that is distinctly our own; a comfortable,
family type atmosphere that customers have enjoyed and appreciated since
1969. We are committed to maintaining this special environment.
Many
of us recall our initial experiences in aviation. At first it seemed
intimidating; the environment was unfamiliar, there appeared to be so
much to learn, and there were so many questions that needed to be answered.
Over time, those feelings of intimidation were relaxed into feelings
of familiarity as we integrated into the aviation environment. For many
of us, this period of transformation was made easier with the guidance
and patience of some empathizing individuals. At Auburn Flight Service
and Northwest Aviation College, we have never lost sight of a beginner's
perspective. Our staff is on a continual quest to make a beginning student's
transformation the most comfortable, positive experience possible. Over
the years, we have answered a lot of questions. Some of the more common
have been the following:
What
does it take to get a pilot certificate?
1.
Age - A person may begin flight training at any age (our youngest student
was eleven), but the minimum age to operate an aircraft solo is 16.
Furthermore, a person must be at least 17 years of age to apply for
Private Pilot certification. Likewise, the age minimum requirements
for Commercial Pilot certification and Airline Transport Pilot certification
are 18 and 23 respectively.
2.
Medical - Prior to enrolling in the flight training course, you will
need to obtain at least a third class medical certificate from a doctor
designated to give aviation examinations. This is a routine physical
examination, and a third class medical certificate is valid for up to
three years for persons under 40 years of age. Your medical certificate
will also be your student pilot certificate, which allows you to fly
designated airplanes during your training.
3.
Proficiency - A pilot certificate is issued on the basis of demonstrated
knowledge and proficiency of written and practical curriculum rather
than on total hours accrued in an aircraft, though there is a minimum
of flight time required. For the practical portion of the curriculum,
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that the minimum accrued
time required for consideration of Private Pilot certification by students
training under Part 141 curriculum is 35 hours; 20 of which must be
obtained while receiving dual instruction, and 15 of which must be obtained
as sole occupant of the aircraft (solo). Students are required to demonstrate
their practical proficiency during a scheduled flight test conducted
by a designated FAA examiner. For the written portion of the curriculum,
students must pass an FAA written examination by achieving a score of
70% or higher.
What
are the privileges granted to a Private Pilot?
A Private Pilot may operate any aircraft within the category, class, and
type for which he or she has received a certificate or rating. This entitles
a Private Pilot to transport passengers and cargo; but not for compensation
or hire. However, a pilot may share aircraft operating expenses with other
passengers.
What
is the distinction between certificates and ratings?
There are
six different certificates a pilot may obtain: Student, Recreational,
Private, Commercial, Airline Transport and Flight Instructor. The certificates
allow a pilot specific privileges that are defined by the FAA. Ratings
are additional privileges that a pilot may be granted under the specific
certificate obtained. For example, a student that has just received
a Private Pilot certificate will typically be limited to operating an
Airplane, Single Engine, Land. However, a pilot may seek further ratings
that allow additional operating privileges, such as Instrument Airplane,
Multi-Engine, Sea Plane, etc. Ratings are issued to a pilot upon satisfaction
of all pertinent written and practical curriculum specific to the requirements
of each rating.
How
long is a pilot certificate valid?
Once issued, a pilot certificate is valid for life; unless surrendered,
suspended, or revoked. A flight Instructor certificate must be renewed
every 24 months.
Are
there different types of training programs?
Pilots can
be certified based upon two FAA recognized training programs, defined
by Federal Aviation Regulations under Part 61 and Part 141. Part 61 defines
the minimum standards and hours required for student training. Part 141
defines a higher set of standards for FAA approved flight schools, allowing
pilots to be certified in fewer hours. Part 141 flight school standards
include the following:
- Utilization of
an FAA approved training syllabus for both ground and flight training.
- Scheduled student
progress checks.
- Standardized instructor
training.
- Maintaining aircraft
according to standards typical of major airlines.
- Instructor accountability
to a designated Chief Instructor.
- Permanent student
record management and accountability to the FAA.
- Maintaining a designated
area for ground school and student briefing.
- Explicitly written
operating procedures.
Our instructional
programs utilize the highly acclaimed Jeppesen Sanderson pilot training
system, which was developed for, and is exclusively used by, the finest
flight schools and universities throughout the world. We have received
Jeppesen Sanderson's "Presidents Award" for flight training
excellence every year since its inception in 1990.
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