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FAQ

CAN ANYONE BECOME A PILOT?

75% of the US population is eligible to become a pilot. If you are:

  • Over 16 years old (to fly solo) or over 17 years old (to get your private pilot certificate)

  • Able to read, write, and speak English

  • A U.S. citizen or a non-citizen able to complete a background check with the TSA

  • Of average health or better. Note: this doesn't necessarily exclude people with health conditions. Many people with health conditions and disabilities fly every day.


If you meet all this criteria, congratulations: you're eligible to become a pilot!

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PILOTS LICENSES?

While there are six types of pilot licenses available in the U.S., we offer courses tailored to the most popular types: Private and commercial.

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Private Pilot Certificate

If you want to fly by yourself, or with friends, to travel independently and have fun, then a Private Pilot Certificate may be the right choice for you. This certificate typically takes 60-80 hours of training, and 6-12 weeks to complete.

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Commercial Pilot Certificate

If you plan to make flying a career, go for your Commercial Pilot Certificate.​ This certificate typically takes 250 hours of training and about 4 months to complete.

If your dream is to become a pilot for a major airline, you will first need to accrue at least 1,500 hours of flight experience, which typically takes about 2 years to accomplish.

HOW DO I GET MY PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE?

You've already completed the first step: you made it to our website! 

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Your private pilot certificate will allow you to fly for fun, and with friends, but does not allow you to be compensated for flying.

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To achieve your private pilot certificate you will need to:

  • Be at least 17 years of age

  • Complete a minimum 40 hours of practical flight training, including

    • ​At least 20 hours with an instructor.

    • At least 3 hours at night, including takeoffs, landings, and flying at least 50 miles away and back.

    • At least 3 hours just by reference to your instruments, to prepare for low visibility conditions.

    • At least 10 hours solo with your instructor supervising from the ground, including flying at least 50 miles away and back.

  • Pass an FAA written exam, You must take this test in person at a testing center

  • Pass a flight physical from an FAA approved doctor

  • Pass an FAA "Checkride". This test is typically a 3-4 hours long, with a 90 minute oral portion, a preflight portion, and 1.5-2 hour flight portion.

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Ready to get started? Our Private Pilot's Ground Training Course is the first step to learning all the knowledge you'll need to pass your exams and become a pilot.

HOW DO I GET MY COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE?

You've already completed the first step: you made it to our website! 

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Achieving your Commercial Pilot Certificate is the start of a rewarding career, with hundreds of potential career paths. 

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There are 2 ways to achieve your Commercial Pilot Certificate: through a FAR Part 61 program and through a FAR Part 141 program. At NW Wings Aviation we offer Part 61 only. 

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In order to achieve your Commercial Pilot Certificate under FAR Part 61, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age

  • Get a 2nd Class Medical Certificate

  • Complete 250 hours of flight time, 100 hours of which must be in powered aircraft, and 50 must be in airplanes. This includes:

    • ​100 hours of pilot-in-command time, 50 of which must be in airplanes.

    • 50 hours of cross-country time, 10 of which must be in an airplane.

    • 20 hours of training. This includes

      • 10 of instrument

      • 10 of complex or TAA

      • Some cross-country and practical test preparation

    • 10 hours of solo training, including some cross-country and night training

  • Pass an FAA written exam, You must take this test in person at a testing center.

  • Pass a flight physical from an FAA approved doctor

  • Pass an FAA "Checkride". This test is typically a 3-4 hours long, with a 90 minute oral portion, a preflight portion, and 1.5-2 hour flight portion.

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Ready to get started? Register today for our Ground Training for Commercial Pilots Course!

DO I HAVE TO RENEW MY PILOT'S LICENSE?

To maintain your certificate, you must:

  • Do three takeoffs and landings every 90 days. This is only applicable if you're flying with passengers

  • Complete a flight review every 2 years. This includes one hour of flight training and one hour of ground training with an instructor

  • Pass a flight physical from an FAA approved doctor

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