Click here for the FAA publication of the "Student Pilot Guide", which will describe what to expect in flight training!

Complete Private Pilot Training Course

Aircraft Rental

65 hours in a Cessna 152 at $68 an hour (average per hour)
65 hours in a Cessna 172 $93 an hour

Dual Instruction

40 hours at $40 an hour (ground and flight instruction)

Private Pilot Book Kit and supplies

Written Test Fee

Medical/Student Pilot Certificate

Examiner

Total Cost

Cessna 152

Cessna 172 / DA20

$4425
$6045

$1600

$ 150

$ 100

$ 100

$ 300

$6675

$8295

These flight programs costs are approximate and vary depending on skills, time and student effort towards training. Please note that the overall cost represents a realistic figure if completed in nine to twelve months, not the "best" price.  The cost per hour is based on Tach time converted to Hobbs time; the latter is the "real", or logbook, time.
 .....

Flight Requirements:
Minimum of 40 hours of flight, which must include the following:

1. Minimum of 20 hours of flight instruction, which includes:

• 3 hours of cross-country
  
• 3 hours of instrument flight
• 3 hours of night flying

2. Minimum of 10 hours solo flight, which includes:

• 5 hours solo country
  
• Three takeoffs and landings at an airport with a control tower

3. The balance of 10 hours may be with a flight instructor or solo.

Note: 40 hours is the minimum set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Most pilots will require more flight time to be prepared for the practical test.
The national average is 70 hours, based on completing the rating over a one year period. The hours will vary depending on the frequency of training.
We encourage the students to fly at least two to three times a week in order to
help reduce the overall cost of their training.

Aircraft Rental

40 hours in a Cessna 172 at $93 an hour

Dual Instruction

50 hours at $40 an hour (ground and flight instruction)

Instrument Book Kit

Written Test Fee

Examiner

Total Cost

Cessna 172

$3720

$2000

$100

$100

$350



$6720

1. Hold at least a private pilot certificate.

2. Be able to read, speak and understand the English language.

3. Obtain at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate.

4. Pass the FAA written knowledge test as well as the FAA practical flight test.

Flight Requirements:

1. At least 50 hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command.

2. Minimum of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

• Including at least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized
  flight instructor including at least one cross country flight in an airplane that
  is performed under IFR conditions
  

3. A total of 10 hours may be in an approved simulator or flight training device.

Note: 15 hours of instrument flight instruction by an authorized instructor is the
minimum set by the Federal Aviation Administration. Most pilots will require
more flight time to be prepared for the practical test.

Tailwheel Endorsement Course

Our tailwheel endorsement course is comprised of approximately five to eight lessons and three hours of ground school.  There is not a minimum flight hour requirement for the endorsement, but to solo our aircraft requires 100 hours total time and at least 10 hours of tailwheel time, as well as join our flying club. You will perform some airwork, but most of the emphasis is on three-point and wheel  take-off and landings, crosswind landings, ground handling and emergency procedures.

You will pay for the Citabria's tachometer time, which is to your advantage!  Here's how:

Your fly one hour and will log one hour of flight time
The tachometer may only read 0.7 hours, which is not unusual during take-off and landing practice.
The Citabria club rate is $109/tach hour

                  You pay $109.00 x 0.7 = $76.30/ estimated actual flight hour

If you complete the training in approximately 5 - 8 flight hours dual and three hours of groundschool time, your cost will be about $800-$1000. The cost and amount of time is based on individual performance.

For those only interested in receiving the endorsement but not club membership, please call to ask about the block rate.

Before you start training you may want to reference the following:

FAR 61.31 and 61.57
FAA-H-8083-3 Aircraft Flying Handbook - Chapter 13- Transitioning to Tailwheel Airplanes
Pilots Operating Handbook for a 1973 Citabria 7ECA

You are more than welcome to come to our flight school to review the above materials.  If you have any questions, please call Cindy @ 815-941-0063 or email Cindy@blueskyaero.com

Frequently Asked Questions about learning to fly
Question 1.
I have never flown in a small airplane. Can I just go up once to see what it is like?

Question 2.
How quickly can I obtain my private pilot certificate?

That depends on how often you can fly each week. Typically, if a student schedules 2-3 lessons each week, training can be completed in 6 months, although the average is about 12 months.

Question 3.
How do I get my Medical Certificate?

We have a list of examiners to pick from and you can choose the one most convenient to you. We encourage anyone interested in learning how to fly to get his or her medical certificate as soon as possible in case there is a processing delay that could affect the frequency of training. Before you go for the exam be sure to talk to an instructor as to the process and what to do if you have a medical history, such as high blood pressure, color blindness, or taking certain prescription medication.

Question 4.
How many lessons per week should I schedule?

If you fly 2-3 times per week, your skill and memory retention are significantly higher. Students who can only fly on weekends may need a few more hours overall to finish their training. However, during summer months, the days are longer, thus allowing people who work during the day to fly later in the evenings. We try to tailor around your schedule.

Question 5.
How much "homework" is there per week outside of flying?

Once you begin flying you will have already taken your written test. During flight training there's about a 1:1 ratio with studying and flying; for example, scheduling 1 - 2 lessons per week will usually result in about 1 - 3 hours of flying, in which you can expect 1 - 3  hours of studying.

Question 6.
Does Blue Sky Aero have additional training materials that I can use?

Yes! We have a library of materials you may reference, and a TV/VCR/DVD with a variety of videos related to flight training and safety. We also have computers with software specifically designed to assist in training. In addition, since an FAA Written Exam is required for all certificates, we have FAA Test Prep software on our computer so you can practice. All these training tools are available to members of Blue Sky Aero at no cost.

Question 7.
If my instructor is not available, can I fly with another instructor?

Yes. Most of your training should be with the same instructor, however, many students and pilots enjoy flying with someone else simply because each instructor can usually teach something new or give a different perspective on a certain topic.

Question 8.
Can I train in an airplane other than the Cessna 152?

Some students prefer the additional room and comfort in our Cessna 172, which has four seats and a larger cabin overall. We also have a two-seat, low wing  2003 Diamond Eclipse for about the same cost as the Cessna 172. This will typically add about $1200 to your overall training investment.

Question 9.
What choices do I have for ground school?

There are different methods to prepare for the FAA written test. You may choose from home study or a scheduled ground school offered by your nearest community college. Home study is sometimes the most convenient and will likely be combined with one-on-one instruction from your flight instructor. The scheduled ground school is an excellent way to learn.  It allows you to meet other students in a classroom environment and learn from their questions and experiences. Discuss these options with your flight instructor when you begin training to decide the best course for your schedule.

Question 10.
What happens during bad weather?

During days with low visibility, low ceilings, or stormy weather, instructors will call their students if the lesson is cancelled. Pilot certificates require ground instruction,, and this can be accomplished on days when the weather is uncooperative.

Question 11.
After I get my private pilot certificate, can I rent an airplane on my own?

Yes. After earning your private pilot certificate, you can rent the same airplane type and will only be required to maintain FAA and club currency requirements.

Question 12.
What if I want to rent an airplane other than the type I trained in?

Simply schedule a club checkout with an instructor, which normally takes 1-2 hours. If you are interested in flying our Citabria, a FAA tail wheel endorsement is required and is combined with the club checkout, which takes about 5 - 7 training sessions.

Question 13.
What is involved in becoming a Private Pilot?

• Purchase the required books and materials.
• Study for and take your written test. There are 60 questions on this pass/fail test which you have to score 70% or above.
  
• Get a third class medical certificate from an approved flight surgeon.
  
• Begin your flight training toward solo. (Which takes around 15 hrs.)
  
• Solo! Fly an airplane all by yourself.
  
• Prepare for cross-country flights and receive some night flight instruction.
• Fly cross-country flights with your flight instructor (5-10 hrs). Fly at least 5 hrs of solo cross countries to places like Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington and Champaign.
  
• Begin your finish-up instruction and practice (about 5-10 hrs of instruction, 3-5 hrs solo) in preparation for your oral test and flight check ride. (5-10 hrs of ground instruction).
  
• Schedule here at Blue Sky Aero with a pilot examiner to take your oral and flight test, which is called a Checkride (2-3 hrs oral, 1-2 hrs flight time).

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