Becoming a Pilot

Getting your Pilot's license may be the most exciting thing you've ever done. Every year thousands join the ranks of aircraft owners and pilots who soar across the sky every day, speeding past the slow cars on the ground. Nothing can describe the scenery viewed from high up in the air, and anyone who has ever taken an airline flight knows exactly what we're talking about. Now what if you could be behind the controls going where you want to go?

You can.

Flying is not only one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to travel, but also one of the safest. Regardless of media reports, statistics are proof-positive.

What's involved...

Learning to fly is somewhat like learning to drive, however, it is much more structured and regulated accordingly. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees the licensing of pilots, and also administers the regulations that pertain to what a student pilot must be able to demonstrate in order to be awarded a license. A minimum number of flight hours are prescribed as guidelines to ensure that any student pilot will have enough "time behind the wheel" to safely pilot an aircraft by themself.

      These hour requirements, however, usually do not allow enough time to cover all the required areas of proficiency expected of a prospective pilot. National averages indicate that a typical student pilot can complete their private pilot training in 65-75 hours of flight time versus the FAA required minimum of 40 hours.

      Flight training consists of a mixture of ground instruction with a flight instructor, inflight instruction commonly referred to as "dual" instruction, and solo time in which the student pilot flies the aircraft alone under specific circumstances outlined by their training curriculum and under the watchful eye of their flight instructor. Some areas covered in a typical curriculum include aerodynamics, aircraft operation, navigation, weather, weight & balance, avionics, and communications.

What's required...

      In order to obtain a pilot's license an individual must have logged the minimum number of flight hours and be proficient in all areas of operating an aircraft as required by the FAA. In addition, the individual must complete one written exam, one oral exam and one inflight exam administered by a designated FAA examiner.

      It is recommended that you fly at least two or three times a week. The more infrequent flight lessons are, the more re-training is necessary to catch up to the level of proficiency one might have had in a previous lesson. Flight lessons not only involve flying the airplane, but book work as well. Allow yourself study time as the required technical information associated with aviation is not only imperative to the operation of the airplane, but is also test material for the FAA Private Pilot written exam.

Flying is fun, entertaining, exciting, and easy. Now what's stopping you?

Getting Started

The best way to get started is to come to General Aviation Company at the Fullerton Airport and take an introductory flight. For $59 you get an introductory flight in one of our aircraft and a feel for what flying an airplane is really like.

Located conveniently at the Fullerton Airport, central to both Los Angeles and Orange Counties, General Aviation offers high quality flight training at an airport that avoids the congestion of John Wayne and other busy airports. Come by and visit our comprehensive yet cozy facility located at:

3915 W. Commonwealth Avenue
Fullerton, California
(714) 526-6611
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