HOW TO GET A PILOT LICENSE IN TEXAS

Getting a pilot’s license in Texas opens up doors of opportunities you may never have envisioned before. In the United States under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), you can get a Private Pilot License (PPL) which will allow you to fly different kinds of aircraft and carry passengers for pleasure and personal flights. You can upgrade this license to further advanced certificates and licenses.

There are many classes and categories for a PPL, but typically the average student starts in a small single engine airplane, so here are the basic steps to follow for getting your PPL for a single engine airplane in Texas.


1. Organize an orientation flight

An orientation flight may be as simple as going to your nearest airport with a flight school. The staff are usually as enthusiastic to get you in an airplane as you are. The orientation flight exposes you to the experience of flying in an airplane and gives you a chance to evaluate yourself on how your body or mind responds (i.e. nausea, fear of heights).

2. Obtain Student Pilot License and Third Class Medical

There is no minimum age requirement to begin flight training, however, you must be at least sixteen to fly solo for an airplane provided you have a license and a medical from a designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

Student Pilot License: To apply, you must comply with 14 CFR 61.83 You must be of the eligible age and read, speak, write and understand the English language.

Third Class Medical: Like the name implies, this is an examination of your physical state by an AME. A list of examiners in Texas can be found on the FAA website.

3. Organize Your Plan

There are many ways to acquire an aircraft and a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). You could know a generous aircraft owner and a family friend who happens to be a CFI or finding a local Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) with planes and instructors. Another option in enrolling in an accredited flight training program in a college environment if you are interested in both the license and a degree. There is nearly an infinite number of ways to find a plane and an instructor for you to receive flight training. The average cost of flight training is $9,900 through a flight school, so budgeting is very important.

4. Do your pre-solo flight training

Before your first solo, your CFI will train you to the standards outlined by 14 CFR 61.87.

Aeronautical Knowledge: Your CFI will administer a written test and then review the test with you and examine that you are competent to operate the aircraft by yourself. He may cover the physics of flight, the applicable regulations, airspace procedures, weather, landing techniques, aircraft specifications and the like.

Maneuvers and Procedure for Pre-Solo Flight Training: There is a list of maneuvers he is required to at least demonstrate and some to have you perfect. They are specified under 14 CFR 61.87(d) and include pre-flight procedures, taxiing and ground operations, takeoff, turns, stalls, descents, landings, etc.

5. Do your post-solo flight training

After you solo, there are a few major flight training exercises left to complete. At this point, your CFI is now having you fulfill the Aeronautical Experience requirement found under 14 CFR 61.109(a). This is the bare minimum experience needed for a PPL. You must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training.

Flight training is not a race, and the average student pilot usually has 60 to 80 hours of total flight time when they apply for their license.

6. Ground School

There is a written exam that needs to be completed to complete your training, and a list of topics that are covered are under 14 CFR 61.105. This training covers material found in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). You need an endorsement from either your flight instructor or you can receive an endorsement from a Ground Instructor. After your instructor signs you off, take the written test which consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and can be taken at FAA testing centers or with licensed test providers (usually at the FBO where you are taking your flight training). You must score at least 70% to pass the written knowledge test. The test result is valid for two years for you to apply to get your license, otherwise you need to retake it.

7. The Check Ride

After your instructor feels you are ready and you are eligible under 14 CFR 61.103, you will receive an endorsement to complete your final exam or “check ride” accompanied by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who will ask you questions and assess your abilities. There are two portions to this exam:

Oral Exam: The examiner will verbally ask you questions; questions about flight planning, aircraft systems, the weather, aircraft maintenance and records, operations, and even your judgement and decision making for a couple hours.

Practical Exam: The examiner will now observe your ability to operate an aircraft. So the same maneuvers and procedures you've practiced with your instructor he/she will observe and evaluate. He/she may even simulate an emergency situation that you will have to react and respond to. The flight portion may also last a couple hours as well.

8. Receive your temporary license

When you pass the flight exam, you will receive your PPL. It will be a temporary paper license you receive on the day of the exam while the paperwork for your actual license is processed. This allows you to pilot a single-engine aircraft in good visibility during the day or at night as long as you abide by the FARs pertaining to your license.

Finally, you can get your pilot license from us with ease. We offer excellent services and help our students in their pilot careers. Visit our website to learn more. Looking forward to hearing from you.