Researching this process can be overwhelming. We want to give you a general idea of what to expect as you begin this exciting journey.
Schedule a Discovery Flight. Contact us to schedule a time to tour the school, meet our instructors, see the airport, and most importantly...FLY! This is the best way to experience what you've been missing. Learn more about
Discovery Flights
Get an Aviation Medical Exam. You need to know that you are medically qualified to hold a pilot's license. Click the link below to find an examiner and schedule a medical. To train, you need only a "Class III" medical. If you plan to fly for hire, request a "Class II."
Find a medical examiner
Equip yourself. The prepared pilot will need books and supplies for both training and flying. Click the link below for our list of recommended materials. Don't worry, you can purchase them at the school for ultimate convenience.
Recommended materials
Ground School: Ground school is the student's opportunity to learn and understand not only how the helicopter flies, but technical and practical topics including maneuvers, systems, aerodynamics, weather, navigation, air traffic control, airspace, regulations, and more. At Wings Air, we offer students a choice on how they would like to conduct their ground training. Some students prefer structured and scheduled environment, while other prefer to read at their own pace. Not only can we accommodate both, but students are free to change their mind at any time, as often as they choose.
Pre-Flight/Post-Flight: Don't be fooled by anyone who tells you to "feel through" how to fly a helicopter. Of course, it takes stick time to fly the aircraft well; but a helicopter is a noisy, fast paced, and expensive place to learn brand new things. Our instructors pride themselves on making sure a student understands what will be addressed during a flight before they start the blades turning. "Learn on the ground, practice in the air." It's all part of making sure that you get the most from your investment.
Flight Training. Training at Wings Air is designed to fit your schedule and your needs. Flights are scheduled individually, and typically last between 1-2 hours. Flight skills are taught with your goals in mind. In most cases, your flight training will be designed around a syllabus. A typical structure for a flight might be something like this:
- Weather check
- Weight and balance, safety checks
- Pre-flight discussion
- Aircraft inspection
- Flight lesson
- Aircraft securing
- Post-flight discussion
- Reading/homework assignments
Stage Checks. Periodically throughout your training, stage checks are utilized to ensure satisfactory progress. A stage check is a flight with someone other than your normally assigned instructor. You will be asked to review ground based knowledge as well as flight proficiency in areas commensurate with your training level. Stage checks are not tests to pass or fail, but rather incremental progress evaluations. They are an important tool for both the instructor and the student, and ensure that basic skills are learned before advancing to more difficult material.
The Written Test: Before you are eligible for the practical exam, you must have passed the FAA written examination. The FAA written consists of a series of multiple choice questions administered by computer. The number of questions and level of difficulty vary depending on the type of license you are applying for. A score of 70% is considered passing. The are many test preparation materials available ranging form books to videos to web-based practice examinations. Your instructor can help you decide which is best for you.
FAA Written Test Guide
Practical Exam: Once endorsed, you will schedule a practical examination with an FAA designated examiner. The practical typically consists of a 2 hour oral exam and a 1.5 hour flight exam. The test is administered with FAA guidelines and minimums throughout. These "Practical Test Standards" are published by the FAA. You can view them for free following the link below. The completion of your practical exam means you will have earned your pilot's license!
FAA Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
Advanced Training: After completion of your Private Pilot training, the sky is the limit. Here are some options available:
Commercial License: For those who want to get paid to fly helicopters. A commercial license requires an additional 100 hours of flight training. During this time, you will further hone your skills to more exacting standards, as well as become proficient in advanced maneuvers, such as confined area approaches and pinnacle/ridge line landings.
Certified Flight Instructor: The most popular (and cost-friendly) way to build flight time is to instruct. While companies may not be able to insure newly licensed commercial pilot, the industry always needs good instructors. Our course takes your ability to new levels. Now, not only can you fly the aircraft, you can teach someone how to fly. This might be the most rewarding work you ever do.
Recurrent Training: A good pilot is always learning. Even after you earn your license, the FAA requires you to receive recurrentcy training every two years. Wings Air offers Flight Review services.
Every journey starts with a single step. What are you waiting for?
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