FAQ's
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Q.  I don't know anything about airplanes / helicopters. Can I still dream of becoming a pilot?
A.  Yes! That's why we are here to guide you! Everybody has different reasons to start taking flight lessons. For some people it was a childhood dream to fly. But for others, not so. It might have been a surprise birthday present (gift certificate) from a friend or a family member that got him/her into aviation. Or just a helicopter flying over your house one day. It might have been a friend that shared his/her experience of being a pilot. Or it might be a Hollywood movie that you saw on TV. Lessons are structured so that anybody can become a pilot one day. You do not need any aviation background to start.
Q.  Is flying difficult to learn?
A.  No, flying an aircraft is actually quite simple and intuitive. Even on your very first lesson you will have control of the aircraft with help from your flight instructor. Your flight instructor will begin teaching you on your very first flight.
Q.  How safe is it?
A.  General aviation is one of the safest modes of transportation. There are many types of aircraft: helicopters, airplanes, and gliders. You don't need a parachute because airplanes (and helicopters) do not fall out of the sky, even if the engine stops. An aircraft without an engine, even if it's supposed to have one, is a glider. If an engine quits, for example, the most common cause is because the pilot ran out of gas. In other words, flying is as safe as you make it. How to fly safely, and to deal with the rare emergencies that are beyond the pilot's influence, will be covered in your training.
Q.  Will I get airsick?
A.  Rarely. At American Winds, your flight instructor will provide you with a very safe and secure training environment. This will allow the student to relax and enjoy their training. If a student is overly nervous, this may tend to cause someone to get sick. But, if you do, it will most likely come early in training, when you're getting used to the new sensations of flying. The important thing is to not to think about it or worry about it. In most cases, if you are affected, it will quickly pass as you get comfortable. Let your instructor know how you feel, look out the window, and open an air vent. If the feeling persists, on your next flight the student might want to bring some crackers and a bottle of water. This tends to calm the nerves and the stomach. On a rare occasion, some students may use anti-motion sickness drugs. This would be a discussion for the student and the aviation medical examiner. They can help you over the rough spots, but you should only take them when flying with
Q.  I get dizzy doing spins, is that a problem for training?
A.  No, spins are not required for a Private Pilot’s License. Spins are an advanced training maneuver practiced for the Certified Flight Instructor Certificate only. On a rare and isolated example, a spin may be performed to demonstrate additional skill or explain required technique. At no time during your training will a student and instructor practice a “spin” without the strict consent of the Chief Flight Instructor.
Q.  When I'm trying to evaluate flight schools, what questions should I ask?
A.  Look at the reputation of the flight school. How long the school has been in business? Has the school changed names many times within a short period of time? Did the flight school buy their Part 141 Certificate or did they develop their curriculum and syllabi themselves? Inspect the quality of the planes. Are they leased airplanes or does the flight school own them? Do they have a Director of Maintenance on staff? Are the planes clean and look orderly? Do they appear to be well maintained and cared for? In short, do they inspire confidence? Do they have a FAA approved Chief Flight Instructor on staff? Is he or she available to the students? Are the instructors experienced? Do they have access to the Chief for guidance and instruction? Do the instructors have the experience to understand your unique learning requirements or did they just finish flight school themselves? Does the school have appropriate facilities for ground instruction? Does the staff focus on customer service? Can the
Q.  How old is too old to begin flying lessons?
A.  Say “student pilot,” and most people think of a youngster chasing a dream. In reality, today’s student pilot is likely a middle-aged adult who’s not only chasing, but actually fulfilling, a lifelong ambition to be a pilot. The average student pilot today is in his 30s, and the typical average active pilot is a decade older. In addition, more than 25 percent of all U.S. pilots with current medical certificates are in their 50s. And some pilots learn to fly after they retire. We have several students in their 60s.
Q.  How old do I have to be before I can start taking flying lessons?
A.  You don’t have to be a particular age before you can begin to take flying lessons. That said, however, you do have to be at least 16 years old before you can solo an airplane (14 years old for operation of a balloon or glider), and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate. Therefore, it may not be particularly efficient from the standpoint of cost and flight hours to begin lessons too early. American Winds has had 3 pilots begin their training at age 15. Soloed at 16. Then on their 17th birthday day they took their private certificate and instrument rating. All of the students then took their commercial certificate on their 18th birthday.
Q.  What are the differences between a Part 61 and a Part 141 flight school?
A.  The FAA published a Regulation Book called the FAR/AIM book. This book has chapters called “Parts”. Part 61 is for non-FAA approved flight schools. Part 141 is for FAA approved schools. There are approximately 2,000 flight schools in the United States while only 506 are FAA approved Part 141 schools. The Approved schools promote more structured quality training. The FAA inspects the flight school, their airplanes, and their paperwork. For the added requirements, they are allowed to reduce the minimum required hours of private pilot training to 35 hours, rather than the 40-hour minimum required when training at a Part 61 flight school. The Part 61 School, on the other hand, has the tendency to be much less structured and less standardized. It is imperative to find a quality instructor in a Part 61 school or a student will greatly exceed the required flight hours. In turn, the student will also exceed their budget and may run out of money. Either school must train you to pass the very sa
Q.  I've been researching various flight schools and they refer to words like "Part 61" or "Part 141." Are you a Part 141 flight school?
A.  Yes. We operate both Part 61 and Part 141.
Q.  I have my own plane, can you teach me to fly it?
A.  Yes, we offer instructors who have flown just about everything, and will be able to teach you in your own plane. You will need to provide us with proof of insurance and approved maintenance. Safety is extremely important. If we feel your airplane doesn’t meet our standard of quality then we will decline teaching in it.
Q.  What materials do you provide?
A.  We have a fully stocked pilot shop which will provide you with all the books and materials you need to complete your flight training. Student pilots are encouraged to purchase our “private pilot kit” which includes: Private Pilot Manual Jeppesen Log Book Private Knowledge Test Guide VFR Plotter Headset ($149 value!) Aviation Weather Services Private Pilot Maneuvers Current FAR/AIM Private Oral Exam Guide Private PTS ASA E6-B VFR Kneeboard Medium Flightline Bag Fuel Tester
Q.  What’s the difference between a private pilot and a commercial pilot, and how much more training does it take to become a commercial pilot?
A.  Private pilots are not allowed to fly “for hire”, that is, they should not be paid for their services. Besides flying for an airline, a commercial pilot may be paid to operate corporate planes, drop sky divers or transport aerial photographers. Initial schooling and training is practically the same for both types of pilot but once someone decides to go commercial it becomes more intense. Commercial pilot training requires a more thorough education and a lot more time in the air. Most airline pilots will need to have logged more than 1,000 hours in the air before they even applied for the job.
Q.  How much will it cost to get my private license?
A.  That depends on how quickly you pick up the skills of flying. The minimum required hours are 35 total hrs (Part 141) or 40 hrs (Part 61). The national average is 72 hrs. The curriculum that American Winds Flight Academy incorporates better prepares students for each flight lesson, greatly improving the efficiency and enabling students to learn faster. Based on the 35 to 50 total flight hours with all other costs included, the overall price would range from $6,500 to $10,000.
Q.  How much will it cost to get my instrument rating?
A.  The Part 141 curriculum requires a minimum of 35 hours of instrument instruction. Up to 10 hours can be logged on the PCATD flight simulator with an instructor present, which can save you up to $1,500. Based on 25-35 hours of flight time and 10 hours of PCATD time, with all other costs included, the overall price would range from $8,000 to $9,000.
Q.  How much will it cost to get my Commercial License?
A.  The part 141 curriculum requires a minimum of 190 hours of total time, and your instrument rating. The hours obtained for the private pilot license and an instrument rating count towards the 190 hours needed. If you completed your private and instrument rating with minimum hours then you would need an additional 120 hours. Most of the cost associated with the commercial pilot’s license is building your total flight time towards 190 hours. With all cost included the overall price for a commercial pilot license would range from $25,000 to $26,000.
Q.  How long is each flight lesson?
A.  Flight lessons are usually scheduled in 2-hour blocks that will includes pre and post flight brief, as well as 1 to 1.5 hours in the airplane.
Q.  How long does an average student take to get a pilot certificate?
A.  It will depend on how much time you can commit to training; along with other factors, such as, weather, unpredictable aircraft maintenance, scheduling conflict with other students/customers, etc. Someone that is committed to fly everyday could obtain a certificate rather quickly(one month), otherwise, you can expect 3 to 4 months.
Q.  How many instructors do you have? How much flight time do they have? Are they good?
A.  Yes. At American Winds Flight Academy, we have experienced instructors with thousands of hours and also fresh instructors that know exactly what FAA Examiners are looking for pilots that fly today.
Q.  Your instructors are among the best. How are your training aircraft?
A.  Our training fleet is the best maintained and most beautifully equipped in the area. Our mechanics work on site. Our fleet is new and highly equipped; all our aircraft are instrument flight rated, and most are outfitted with modern avionics equipment, including approach-grade GPS stacks.
Q.  Will I be flying with different instructors?
A.  You will be assigned a primary instructor, who will be responsible for your training program. Occasionally, your instructor will schedule a lesson with another instructor to obtain another objective perspective of your progress. These are called “stage checks” and can be helpful during the training process.
Q.  When will I solo?
A.  You will solo after you pass a third-class medical, a pre-solo written exam, and your 6 © instructor and you are confident that you are able to fly safely by yourself. On the average this happens after 16 hours of flight training.
Q.  Who has responsibility for safety?
A.  Everyone involved in the flight-training program at AWFA is responsible for reporting safety-related situations such as hazards or events, and unsafe behaviors. Likewise, everyone involved in the flight-training program is authorized to take immediate action to prevent an accident or unsafe situation from occurring. You will learn more about our safety and security procedures once you begin your flight-training program.
Q.  Am I insured if I damage the aircraft?
A.  Yes. The course fees and the hire of the aircraft includes the cost of insurance for damage to the aircraft or injury to passengers.
Q.  I have a full-time day job. Can I still enroll and get flight training at your flight school?
A.  Yes! You and the Instructor can work something out to get your training started. Our office hours are from 09:00AM to 08:00PM during the summer time and 09:00AM to 05:00PM during the winter time. But we operate 24/7. As long as you don't feel too tired after work, we can get you started and guide you toward your goal of becoming a pilot.
Q.  Is there a deadline get my license by?
A.  No, you can take as long as you want to. Flight time and instruction does not expire.
Q.  What if I already have some experience and just want to finish up my license?
A.  As long as you still have your logbook, we can pick up where you left off.
Q.  I haven't flown for more than two years. Can I get a flight review to be current again?
A.  Yes! We can get you a BFR in any of our aircraft. Please give us a call to schedule an appointment today!
Q.  I want to purchase a "Gift Certificate." Do you offer any?
A.  Yes. Gift Certificates are the best present that you can give to your friends or family members. Just contact us and ask for a "gift certificate." Many people get hooked and eventually become pilots a couple months later.
Q.  How am I charged for flying?
A.  You are charged by “flight time”. This is the time from engine start to engine stop. The HOBBs meter in the aircraft keeps track of this time in .1 hour intervals (6-minute intervals).
Q.  How do I get from one airport to another?
A.  Learning how to navigate from one airport to another will be part of your training, and you'll put into practice on flights with and without your instructor. You'll first learn pilotage, where you look out the window and compare the landmarks you see on the ground to an aviation sectional chart, and dead reckoning, which is used in conjunction with pilotage. Short for deduced reckoning, dead reckoning is flying a compass heading that has been corrected for such things as the wind for a certain time at a certain speed. There are several forms of radio navigation, and you'll at least learn how to navigate with VORs, very high frequency omnibearing radio ranges. Located across the nation, VORs transmit radio beams or "radials" for each point on the compass that are selected and indicated on a cockpit dial. Certain radials connect one VOR to another and create "highways" in the sky. If your trainer is equipped with the required receivers, you'll learn how to navigate with an automatic dire
Q.  What written and flight tests are necessary to become a pilot?
A.  Before you solo, you will be administered a "pre-solo written exam" by your instructor. To obtain the Private Pilot's License, you must pass a 60-question FAA written examination, and an oral and practical examination with a FAA designated examiner.
Q.  How hard is the written exam?
A.  The FAA Private Pilot written exam is 60 questions, multiple choice which covers Aerodynamics, Meteorology, Aircraft Performance, FAA Regulations, and Physiology. The exam must be taken and passed with a score of 70% before a check ride can be taken. If you fail to get 70% when you take the exam, you may retake it numerous times. Once passed, the written is good for two years. Once you've been granted your private pilot license, there are no more written exams, only a biannual medical exam (depending on age) and a biannual flight review by a Certified Flight Instructor to make sure you're keeping current.
Q.  How does a person become a professional pilot?
A.  It’s a long, but exciting and rewarding road. To get into position to be paid as a pilot, there are a couple of paths, the most common of which is to become a flight instructor. To do that, you have to earn your Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, and finally Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. After working for about 1-2 years instructing, you will qualify for a job as an air-taxi pilot. From there you work toward earning your multi-engine ratings and Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. With that and a four-year college degree, you might land a job as a major airline pilot.
Q.  Can I earn my Bachelor’s Degree or my Associate’s Degree while attending flight school?
A.  Yes! Students can earn their Bachelor’s Degree while attending flight school.
Q.  Can I just hang out at the airport before I decide to sign up?
A.  YES! We would encourage everyone to come out to the flight school and "hang out" with the crowd. You'll meet some great people, hear an interesting story or two, and just maybe get the itch to start right then.
Q.  What is the first step?
A.  Give us a call and we’ll set up a time for you to come in to meet our instructors and tour our facility. Then we’ll schedule you for a discovery flight. For 30 minutes, you and your instructor will go up in the airplane and you can see how you like it! From there, you will get your medical certificate then sign up for ground school.
Q.  What are the basic requirements that I need to meet to start flight training?
A.  You can fly with an instructor at nearly any age, but by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations, you must be at least 16 years old to fly an airplane by yourself (solo) and be at least 17 years old to complete your Private Pilot's License. You must also be able to read, write, and comprehend the English language and must be able to pass an aviation flight physical. Once you meet these three criteria, you're ready to start flying.
Q.  When can I start flying?
A.  It is our intent to have our students start flying as soon as possible. There are many factors that enter into when they will or can start flying. Our primary concern is that they will succeed when they do start flying. The student will start flying at the same time they are attending the Private Pilot ground school.
Q.  I heard that some Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements must be fulfilled before I can receive flight training. How will these requirements affect me?
A.  You’re referring to the TSA’s alien flight training and citizenship validation rule. The effects of this rule depend on whether you are a U.S. citizen or an alien. If you are a U.S. Citizen, you must prove citizenship via a birth certificate or passport.
Q.  Can I start my flight training to become a pilot anytime?
A.  YES! You can start your training the moment you decide to start taking lessons. You can start today. There are no age requirements for starting your training although, when it comes to obtaining a pilot certificate, you must be at least 16 year-old for a STUDENT pilot certificate; at least 17 year-old for a PRIVATE pilot certificate. However, otherwise, come visit us anytime for your FIRST FLIGHT.
Q.  Do you offer a ground school?
A.  Yes. We offer two different ground schools, one on Monday and Wednesday evenings for 9 weeks, and another on Saturday mornings for 12 weeks to accommodate everyone’s schedule! These sessions run concurrently and are unlimited. If you discontinue flying and want to start up again, you can do so at no cost! Ground schools offer a classroom setting where you can interact with other students and review the materials as a group. Ground schools are a great value and offer a fun way to structure your learning! Check with us for current prices for ground school.
Q.  How do I pick an instructor?
A.  You and your instructor will be spending a lot of time together in a small classroom, so chose a CFI that matches your personality. Different people learn differently, and different instructors teach differently, and when student and CFI differences clash, your training will probably not go well. If you can't understand a prospective CFI's answers to your questions, and the CFI can't reword answers so you do understand, you will likely have similar problems in training. If the two of you can communicate clearly, take an introductory flight lesson to see how you get along in the airplane. In the end, only time will validate your CFI selection. But if your CFI isn't working out, don't be afraid to change.
Q.  How do I pay for lessons?
A.  When you enroll in our flight school, you will start an account with us. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card after each lesson or make deposits on your account. We offer a 4% incentive on amounts over $1000 (cash or check only) placed on account before training begins and anytime thereafter provided the account remains positive. For example, if you deposit $1,000, you’ll have $1,040 on your account.
Q.  Is there a source of loans, scholarships, or other financial resources that can help support my flight training?
A.  We offer a variety of loans and financing options. We also accept VA Benefits. Students have the option of taking online college courses from Utah Valley University and earn your bachelor’s degree while training.
Q.  What is a student pilot certificate and how do I get one?
A.  An aviation medical examiner (AME) typically gives you a student pilot certificate to fill out as part of the third class medical exam. Your flight instructor will likely refer you to a local AME, or you can find an examiner online searchable by city and state. (http://www.faa.gov) A student pilot certificate is valid for 24 calendar months and a third class medical could be valid for up to 60 months, depending on your age at the time of your AME visit. If your student pilot certificate expires first, you can get a new one from a designated pilot examiner (DPE) or your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
Q.  For how long is a student pilot certificate valid?
A.  A student pilot certificate is valid for 24 calendar months.
Q.  How do I schedule my first flight training? Should I just call?
A.  Yes! Just call us and say something like this: "I saw you website and I am interested in taking airplane/helicopter lessons. I'd like to schedule a Discovery Flight." Then we will ask you when you can come visit us and schedule you for the Discovery Flight.
Q.  How do I schedule American Winds Flight Academy’s aircraft?
A.  Simple. We will assign a username and password for our online scheduling service. You can schedule at our office, at home, or on your iPhone 24 hours a day!
Q.  How many lessons should I schedule at one time?
A.  You’ll find it convenient to schedule lessons 2-4 weeks in advance. This will keep you on a regular schedule and ensure that your instructor and aircraft are available.
Q.  How many times can I fly per day? Do you always have an aircraft available?
A.  Yes! You can fly as much as you want in one day, however, you might encounter situations where there might be scheduling conflicts between you and another student/customer that booked an aircraft just before you do. Otherwise an aircraft is always available for you.
Q.  What is a "checkride?"
A.  The final step in getting your private pilot's certificate is the flight test with an FAA designated examiner. By now, you will have learned to operate and aircraft, navigate from point to point, and understand the air traffic control system. These skills will be tested in flight on a checkride. Upon successful completion, you will receive your ticket to new horizons, your private pilot certificate.
Q.  What's the checkride like?
A.  The FAA checkride is broken down into two parts, an oral quiz, where the examiner will ask about things you learned in ground school, and the flight test, where you will demonstrate your ability to perform the skills you have learned in an aircraft. Don't be intimidated. The examiner isn't out to fail you. He or she just wants to ensure, just as your instructor did, that you are a safe pilot.
Q.  If 40 hours logged flight time is the minimum, how many hours does it usually take for the student pilot?
A.  Student average about 55 hours to complete their training.
Q.  What is the weather like for flying?
A.  The weather for flying is very good! Best in the United States! In a typical year, we’ll experience over 300 good flying days. It is rare to have more then 2 days of bad weather in a row. Variety of weather experience is important for a student pilot. The worst weather is in January, the best weather is from March to October. Flying only in one type of weather conditions is not what you are going to experience as Commercial Pilot.
Q.  Will the lesson template be changed for inclement weather or maintenance cancellations?
A.  Each semester the flight progress is monitored and changes may be made to the template based on unusual circumstances.Generally yes, however if it is a specialized course (ie: Avit) then it should be taken at UND, the final 30 credits must be in residence. You can most likely take any 100-200 level general education course at a local institution (ie: College Algebra, Microeconomics, etc.) The intensive ground training and four season, all weather, flight instruction has produced a history of excellent ratings from FAA examiners.
Q.  What do I do if the weather does not permit me to fly?
A.  Depending on where you are in your training, there may be some ground training that you and your instructor need to accomplish. If there isn't a need for ground training, you & your instructor will complete that lesson at your next scheduled block time.
Q.  I checked the weather this morning, I don't feel comfort flying today. Can I cancel my flight for today?
A.  Yes. Cancellation due to bad weather will always be accepted at no charge. However, cancellation due to any other reason may be subject to a cancellation fee. If you have an aircraft scheduled to fly but you do not show up, there will be a cancellation fee that will be charged on your account. There is no limit to the charge that will be applied to your account. Make sure you contact one of our staff for cancellations.
Q.  Do I need an FAA medical certificate to enroll in the aviation program?
A.  Students planning to begin flight training are required to hold a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate.
Q.  How do I get an FAA medical certificate?
A.  Aviation medical examiners (AME's) are designated by the FAA to issue these certificates, following completion of an application and a physical examination. While we have AME's at UND, they can be found in most U.S. cities and in major cities abroad. For names and addresses of AME's go to
Q.  When should I apply for my FAA certificate?
A.  There are several reasons for which you could be denied a medical certificate even if you feel you are in good health. These reasons have to do with medical and/or legal problems you have had, and should be evaluated before beginning your education for an aviation-related career. If any of these problems need to be processed to obtain your certificate, delays are common. Therefore, we advise you to obtain a FAA medical certificate before coming to UND. You are required to possess a medical certificate to enroll in the flight laboratories, so get your medical certificate early to avoid delays. We recommend that you apply 4 months prior to beginning your flight class.
Q.  What class of certificate should I request?
A.  There are three classes of medical certificates, aptly named first, second, and third class. First class certificates are required for pilots exercising privileges of an airline transport rating. Second class medical certificates are needed for performing commercial operations, and third class medical certificates are adequate for initial training purposes. We recommend you obtain a second class medical certificate initially to begin your flight training.There are several reasons for this recommendation: 1 . They are less expensive than first class medical certificates ($40-70 versus $80- 400 for a first class medical certificate) 2 . For those of you under the age of 35, the requirements are identical 3 . It requires a higher standard for vision requirements than a third class medical certificate. Although a third class certificate is adequate for flight training, the visual requirements are not as stringent as the first and second class certificates. Whatever class of medical certifi
Q.  What if I already have a third class medical certificate? Do I need to get a second class certificate?
A.  No, a third class medical certificate is adequate to begin training.
Q.  Could I be denied a medical certificate?
A.  Certain medical conditions and behavior problems can result in denial of your medical certificate. If you have significant medical and/or legal problems, you should have copies of medical and/or court records for your examiner. You should be aware that drug and alcohol convictions (yes, paying a fine is a conviction) and security violations (fake identification cards) are considered serious problems by government and the aerospace industry. Medical and behavior standards of professional pilot and air traffic controllers are among the highest in our society. Mistakes, poor judgment, and other "indiscretions of youth" can have lasting consequences related to your career. Prevention (through responsible behavior) is the key.
Q.  Where can I find more information about medical certificate problems?
A.  Consulting with an AME prior to your appointment will help you identify issues that could deny your medical, or help you realize that a condition you are worrying about will not be a problem. You can also look at the By clicking on the medical area, you can find further information that an Aviation Medical Examiner would consider or need. For example, you can click on eyes to find how eye problems would be managed.
Q.  I wear glasses. Can I still become a pilot?
A.  Yes! When it comes to the eyes or other body related or medical issues, there are FAA designated Medical Examiners that specialize in medical conditions for pilots. You must consult the Medical Examiner. If, you would like to schedule a medical examination to see if you are physically fit to become a pilot, we will be more than happy to refer you to a FAA Medical Examiner. Please, contact us for further information. There are many pilots in the world that wear eye glasses.
Q.  What are the vision, hearing, and general medical health requirements that must be met in order to be a pilot?
A.  Your vision must be at least 20/40 for near and distant vision with or without corrective lenses, and you must be able to perceive those colors necessary for the safe pilot performance. For general health and medical-related questions, refer to AOPA's medical subject reports Web page prior to visiting your AME.
Q.  Once I get my license, does it expire?
A.  No, pilot licenses never expire. However, medical certificates, which are required in order to fly, are good for 2-5 years, depending on your age. Also in order to exercise the privileges of your license you will need to have a Flight Review from a Certified Flight Instructor every two years.
Q.  Once I have my license, can I rent a plane anywhere?
A.  Yes, just about any airport that has a rental airplane will let you be the pilot in command after a short check ride that assures them that you know what you're doing. You will need to ask the flight school about insurance.
Q.  I have a pilot certificate. Can I rent an airplane to fly with my friends?
A.  Yes. If you have enrolled in our training course, you will be able to rent an airplane and carry passengers. If you have not enrolled in our training course, then you will be required to have an aircraft check out prior to renting the aircraft by yourself. Once we feel that you can operate the aircraft safely, you will be able to rent the aircraft by yourself to carry your passengers. NOTE: Upon receiving your private pilot certificate, it is highly recommended to fly another couple of hours to ensure that you are "really" ready to carry passengers. This is just a friendly advice so that you stay away from trouble.
Q.  Can I take the aircraft overnight or for several days?
A.  Yes. All aircraft are available for overnight trips.
Q.  Is there a minimum charge for taking an aircraft for several days?
A.  At the current time there is no charge for overnight trips. We will consider each overnight trip and multiple-day requests on a case-by-case basis.
Q.  I have a pilot certificate. Can I get checked out on one of your 172s? What do I need to do?
A.  Yes. You will be required to present a copy of your Pilot Certificate, Current Medical, Photo ID and a proof of Citizenship. Then we will schedule you with one of our instructors to ensure that you can operate the aircraft safely and in the manner that the operator requires you to handle the aircraft. We call this process an "aircraft check-out" and usually, consists of a short ground session and a minimum of 1 hour flight. This would apply to any aircraft that you would like to get checked out on. On most of the aircraft, the entire process will take a minimum of 2 hours.
Q.  Do you help your graduates find jobs?
A.  Many top airlines recruit AWFA graduates. Our faculty and staff have connections and good working relationships with employers throughout the aviation industry.
Q.  Am I qualified to apply for an airline pilot position immediately after graduating?
A.  The answer is yes and no. The number one thing that airline employers are looking for once you have all of the certificates and ratings is flight experience in hours. If you complete the requirements for the degree only, you will graduate with Commercial Airplane Single and Multiengine Land Certificates with an Instrument Rating (everything you need for a job), but you will only have around 210 - 250 flight hours. In order to be marketable for the airlines, you will need any where from 800-1,500 flight hours depending on the need for pilots at the time.
Q.  How do I get the experience needed to get hired by the airlines?
A.  All of the experience you need, you can find here. Not included in the requirements to graduate are flight instructor certificates, which we offer and highly suggest you completing. We hire 90% of students who complete their CFI with us.