FLYING OPPORTUNITIES

Discovery Flights

Are you interested in becoming a pilot, but not sure if it’s for you? Take a test flight with one of our instructors to check it out! 

What is a Discovery Flight?

A discovery flight is a short introductory flight for those interested in learning to fly or taking their first steps toward earning a pilot’s license. If you choose to go on a discovery flight with Speedway, you will be assigned to a specific certified pilot instructor who will walk you through the step-by-step procedure of how to operate an aircraft safely.

Discovery flights are perfect for getting a feel for what it takes to be a pilot before investing in one of our pilot training programs.

Private Pilot Certification

Begin your journey into aviation with a private pilot license. In this flight training program, you’ll learn all the basics of becoming a pilot and enjoy cruising across the skies.

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) will conduct your flight training using a standard Private Pilot course syllabus. Your flight training will include dual instruction (flying with your CFI) and solo flights.

Ground Instruction

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Your ground instruction is accomplished primarily through a computer-based instruction kit and supplemented as necessary by your CFI. Computer-based instruction is an entertaining and easy-to-use online ground school where you can work at your own pace in the comfort of your home or office. Each lesson includes full-motion video instruction, interactive quizzes, and an in-cockpit video preview of the corresponding flight in your course syllabus. Together, the lessons help to make your flight training as effective and cost-efficient as possible.

Training Time Required

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The Federal Aviation Regulations require a minimum of 40 hours of flight time to earn your Private Pilot certificate. This time must include:

• At least 20 hours of dual instruction, including:
• Three hours of day cross-country instruction
• Three hours of instrument instruction
• Three hours of local and cross-country night instruction
• Three hours of instruction in preparation for the FAA practical test

• At least 10 hours of solo flight, including five hours of cross-country flight (two flights)

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Despite these minimums, most new pilots require more experience to be safe and competent. The national average for private pilots is about 60 hours of total flight time, including about 50 hours of dual instruction.

Prerequisites to Take the FAA Practical Test

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Before taking the FAA practical test to become a private pilot, your CFI must endorse your logbook to show that you have completed your ground and flight instruction. In addition, you must:

• Be 17 years old
• Be able to read, write and understand the English language
• Hold at least a Class III medical certificate
• Pass the FAA knowledge test
  

Instrument Rating

Expand your horizons with an instrument rating. Whether your goal is to fly more productively, achieve your next aviation career milestone, or simply have another tool in your toolbag, the instrument rating will certainly add options. While it is not a certificate, it is an added rating to a private or commercial certificate.

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FAR section §61.65 details the requirements to be eligible for the instrument rating:

• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for one
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
• Have logged a minimum of 50 PIC X-C flight hours
• Have received a minimum of 40 hours in actual or simulated instrument conditions
• Have received a minimum of 15 hours of instrument instruction
• Instrument flight training on a 250 NM X-C
• Pass the FAA Knowledge Test
• Pass the FAA Practical Test
  

Commercial Pilot Certification

With a commercial pilot certificate, you’re finally ready and able to start earning income as a professional pilot. This certificate opens numerous doors, whether you’re on the path to becoming an airline pilot or pursuing one of the many other career options available to pilots.

To take the FAA Commercial Pilot ASEL practical test, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be able to read, write and speak the English language
• Receive ground school in the knowledge areas listed in FAR 61.125
• Pass the FAA knowledge test before taking the practical test
• Hold at least a Private Pilot certificate
• Hold an appropriate medical certificate (at least Class III to take the test, but at least Class II to exercise Commercial Pilot privileges)

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You must have at least 250 hours of total flight time, including at least:

• 100 hours in powered aircraft, at least 50 of which are in airplanes
• 100 hours as pilot in command, at least 50 of which are in airplanes
• 50 hours of PIC cross-country flight, at least 10 of which are in airplanes

Training Time Required

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To receive the commercial pilot certificate with an Airplane Single-Engine Land rating, the FAA requires:

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At least 20 hours of flight training that includes:

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• 10 hours of instrument training, at least five of which must be in a single-engine airplane
• 10 hours of training in one of the following: a complex airplane (with a constant speed propeller, flaps and retractable landing gear), a turbine-powered airplane, a technically advanced airplane (TAA), or any combination thereof
• Three hours of dual instruction in preparation for the practical test
• One dual-day VFR cross-country flight of at least two hours with a straight line distance of more than 100 nm from the departure point
• One dual-night VFR cross-country flight of at least two hours with a straight line distance of more than 100 nm from the departure point

At least 10 hours of solo flight that includes:

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• One cross-country of at least 300 nm total distance with landings at least three points, one of which is at least 250 nm straight line distance from the departure point
• Five hours in night VFR conditions with at least 10 take-offs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower

Note: The flying experience you achieve before beginning the commercial pilot course may count toward the required flight times. For example, if you hold an instrument airplane rating, you will already have met the commercial pilot requirement for instrument training.