These are the most frequently asked questions that we here. If you have an additional question, please submit it to us and we will email you an answer.

1. Am I too old to fly?
2. How much does it cost?
3. How about health questions?
4. Can I rent a plane and how much?
5. How much do both new and used airplanes cost?
6. Where can I fly?

Q. Am I too old to fly? A. No! There is a minimum age of 17 for FAA licenses but no upper limit. Many persons now in retirement have the time and resources to earn a pilot’s license.

Q. How much does it cost? A. The cost of training compares favorably with other kinds of training or education for recreation, careers or hobbies. Traditionally, a private pilot’s license costs from $6000-$7000. A Sport Pilot license is about half of that amount.

Q. How about health questions? A. For Sport Pilot certificate, a valid driver’s license is evidence of fitness for flight. For all other certificates, a regular physical exam performed by an FAA designed doctor is required. Basically, the Class III medical requirements are absence of an existing condition which requires medication and corrected eyesight of 20/30 or better. But, a particular medical condition may not be disqualifying and each case is evaluated by the FAA on an individual basis.

Q. Can I rent a plane and how much? A. Planes available in the flight school may be rented on an hourly basis which includes fuel. However a flight check-out in the airplane by an instructor is required before an aircraft is rented. A typical cost is $90-$140 per hour.

Q. How much do both new and used airplanes cost? A. New aircraft run anywhere from $170,000 - $225,000 for a 4-place one and up. new Light Sport Airplanes (LSA’s) are about half of that. Serviceable used airplanes start about $15,000-$20,000 for a 2 place and $30,000 and up for a 4 place aircraft. $40,000 to $80,000 has a lot of purchasing power in the used, entry level, single engine marketplace. Finance rates and periods are similar to that for boats.

Q. Where can I fly? A. Although there are areas restricted by military operations, no-fly zones for national security reasons, altitude levels off-limits for certain aircraft and mandated training requirements, most of the airspace in the United States is still available for general aviation flight. A Sport Pilot certificate basically allows daylight-only flying in nice weather but there is no distance limit and the country is dotted with community airports as destinations for fun excursions to both local and distant places. Training for private pilot and additional ratings prepare the pilot to fly just about anywhere, having learned the rules for specific airspaces, airports and weather requirements and by complying with them.

Flying is still one of the greatest freedoms we can enjoy!