Become a Pilot
Getting started
Before you get started on any training, you first need to research flight schools, programs, colleges, and other forms of flight training to see which might fit you best. Most people train out of a local FBO at their home airport. Interviewing or flying with multiple instructors is a great way to see which person might be the best teacher for you. Since you will be spending a lot of time with this person, it’s important that you take your time and ask a lot of questions. Scheduling a few Discovery Flights is a great way to decide which instructor you will train with. You can change instructors at any time if it doesn’t work out.
Apply for a student pilot license
Your student license isn’t required until you are ready to solo, but your instructor can help you get started right away. Here’s the website for information concerning your student license: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert/
Make a schedule
Your flight school should have a clearly planned out syllabus of everything you need to accomplish during flight training. You will work out a schedule based on your needs and your instructor’s available time. Plan on studying for ground school throughout the week when you aren’t flying.
Plan for the written exam
After you’ve completed all of the ground school and are just about ready for your check ride, you will schedule a written exam. There are many ways to study for the exam. One of the most common sites used to study is Prepware Online: https://www.asa2fly.com/Sport-C324.aspx.
Schedule the checkride
After you have passed the written exam and completed all other requirements needed for training, you will schedule a checkride with a DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner). The checkride consists of an oral exam and a practical test (the flight portion). Once you pass, you will be issued a temporary airmen certificate until your actual license arrives in the mail.