Learn to Fly

 

Why?  Why not?

Why learn to fly?  If you're reading this, you've probably already answered that for yourself.  Whether it's for adventure, fun or a career, everyone has their own reasons.  Do you look up when planes fly over?  Want to see things from a completely different perspective?  Travel with less hassles on your own schedule?  Even checking it off of the "things I've done" list is a good reason.  Regardless of your answer, we can help you learn and then keep you in the air afterwards.

 

Not Sure?

If you think you might like to fly but aren't sure, you might want to start with an Intro Flight.  This is a short, but real flight lesson with an FAA certified instructor.  You can even log it toward your training when you decide to continue.

 

Options:

There are now two FAA certificates you can choose from as your first step as a pilot, Sport Pilot and Private Pilot.  Private Pilot is the traditional "pilot's license".  It enables you to fly most small aircraft in day or night visual conditions (not in the clouds).  This certificate can take around a year to earn (more or less). 

 

Sport Pilot is a relatively new certificate created by the FAA.  This certificate allows you to fly small 2-seat Light Sport Aircraft, during daylight, in clear conditions.  Due to the limitations, this certificate takes about half as much training and no medical exam.  If you just want to fly around for fun and occasionally take one other passenger, the Sport Pilot certificate may be perfect for you.   Step Up Aviation is the first and only flight school in Austin to provide the Sport Pilot certificate.

 

What does it take?

 

Time:  The answer is, "it depends".  There are certain minimum requirements to get a pilot certificate -- 40 hours of training for Private Pilot and 20 hours for Sport Pilot.  But the actual time it will take you depends on you and your schedule.  Some people pick up certain things more quickly than others.  And the more often you train the more you retain between lessons.  Because of this, most people take about one and a half times longer than the minimum -- 60 or 30 hours, respectively, or so. 

 

Cost:  The cost of learning to fly includes:  training materials, aircraft time and Instructor time.  Then at completion, there is a nominal cost for testing, both written and in the plane.  So rather than quoting a fixed price, which would have to be the highest possible, we give a range that we believe is reasonable.

 

Summary:  This table summarizes the privileges and and requirements of these two certificates:

 

 Certificate

 Sport Pilot

 Private Pilot
 Aircraft

 Light Sport aircraft only (certain two-seat, lightweight planes)

 You can fly most small, single-engine aircraft

 Privileges  You can fly in the daytime only, during clear weather (VFR).  Day or night, during clear weather (VFR)
 Medical  A driver's license and self-certification. No medical exam required.  Exam required every 2-5 years

 Flight Time

 20 hours minimum, 30+ hours typically  40 hours minimum, 60+ hours typically
 Time  About 3-5 months, more quickly if you fly more often  About 6-12 months, more quickly if you fly more often
 Cost  Approximately $3000-$5000  Approximately $7000-$9000 in Light Sport plane

 Approximately $9000-$13000 in 4-seat plane

 Credit  Up to 10 hours upon completion ($1120)  Up to 20 hours upon completion ($2240, $3740)

 

Getting Started:  Join and get started training with Step Up Aviation today. (You do not need to join to do an Intro Flight.)