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You Can Fly!

The path to becoming a pilot is easier than you think! One hurdle that many face is figuring out how to get started. Here’s a general idea of what you’ll need to do…

First

Buy the materials for a ground course (or subscribe to one online) for self-study in parallel with actual flight time from a certified instructor.

You will be in the air on your first day!

When your instructor thinks you are ready, you will be flying solo while you build up your flight hours through practice.
Sporty's Pilot Shop
Online Pilot Training

Then

Once you learn your ground school material, you will register to take your FAA knowledge test at a local testing facility. When you have enough flight hours, experience and confidence, your flight instructor will sign you off to take your oral and practical examinations (checkride). Pass that and you’re good to go!
Testing Information

Time & Cost

The cost of earning your private pilot’s certificate is roughly $10,000 and is directly dependent on how much time you are willing to dedicate to the process. If someone flies 2-3 times per week, on average, it will take about 60 hours of flight time. However, if you stretch it out, it will likely cost more and take longer.


Dedicate time to the task and knock your knowledge test out early. You’ll be a pilot in no time.

Contact a Flight Instructor

For more information about joining the club, or learning how to fly, contact:

Mike Nickeson, CFI, CFII
(563) 451-6246

If you’d prefer to send a message via email, please use the form below.

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