Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network.

Aero-Tips 11.27.06

Comes now the happy day when you decide it's been long enough, and you will finally begin your training to become a pilot. In very general terms, for you planning before that first discussion with a flight instructor, what is required of you to learn to fly in the United States?

Basic eligibility

To be eligible for a student pilot certificate you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age, except
• • Be at least 14 years of age for the operation of a glider or balloon and
  • There is no minimum age requirement for student pilots in ultralight aircraft;
• Be able to read, speak and understand the English language (unless you have an accepted and documented medical condition that prevents this); and
• Be a citizen of the United States or pass a naturalization review administered by a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) using Federal guidelines and in some cases involving the Federal government.

Medical qualification

Before you fly solo (alone in the aircraft, generally after 10 to 20 hours of "dual" instruction with an instructor pilot) you must pass a Third Class medical certificate for flying in most airplanes, and in rotorcraft. The Third Class certificate serves as your student pilot license, and is valid for three years after issue (for pilots under age 40) or two years after issue for pilots over age 40, unless there are special circumstances (for example, a heart condition) that place additional limitations on your medical certificate.

If you're flying balloons, gliders/sailplanes or Sport category airplanes you do not need a medical certificate, but merely have no known medical condition that prevents you from safely flying the airplane. For Sport aircraft you must not have failed your last attempt to obtain a flight physical.

For all types of aircraft, pilots are responsible to "self-certify" their medical condition as sound for each flight.

Aero-tip of the day: See if you meet the general and medical requirements for learning to fly -- then go for it!

FMI: Aero-Tips