CERTIFICATES AND FURTHER TRAINING
So now... where do you start?
Once you start flying, you can train for various certificates, ratings and other certifications that will allow you to fly within certain conditions (visually or in the clouds), or fly different aircraft make and model (Cessna, Piper, Cirrus) or types (airplanes single, multi engine, land or sea). Here is a little sample.
Once you start flying, you can train for various certificates, ratings and other certifications that will allow you to fly within certain conditions (visually or in the clouds), or fly different aircraft make and model (Cessna, Piper, Cirrus) or types (airplanes single, multi engine, land or sea). Here is a little sample.
Private Pilot Certificate
The first certificate you can get is called a Private Pilot Certificate.
It allows you to fly by visual rules, take passengers for fun but not
for
hire and is the basis for the rest of your learning. The training
consists of three phases: the pre-solo, when you learn the basics of
flying an airplane, the navigation or cross-country, which means
going places farther than 50 nautical miles, and the preparation for the
practical test. You also will take an FAA-administered written test and
will need to submit yourself to a medical examination
prior to acting as pilot-in-command of an aircraft.
Instrument Rating
The Instrument Rating,
added to your Private Pilot license, gives you more flexibility. With
this certification, you can now fly through a cloud layer
or complete an entire flight with no visual reference, only by using
your instruments ("steam gauges" or glass panel). This rating will
enhance your flying skills and provide you with more confidence
as well as greater safety.
Commercial Certificate
Thinking of flying these? Or maybe becoming a flight instructor yourself? The Commercial Pilot Certificate
is what you will need. This is advanced
training, usually given in a complex airplane -with retractable gear,
flaps and a constant-speed propeller- that covers all the same areas as
the private pilot certificate but in far greater detail,
in addition to four maneuvers specific to this certificate. You will
learn to fly the airplane with greater smoothness, precision and you
will hone your piloting skills further.
Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI)
If you are passionate about flying and you want to share the magic of
flight with your friends, family or anybody eager to learn, the initial Flight Instructor
Certificate is the way to go. Teaching is a very good if not
the best way to thoroughly understand a subject. Flying on a regular
basis -whether you decide to become a full-time or part-time
instructor- will allow you to refine your skills and grasp many aspects
of flying more in depth.
Mountain Checkout
Even though this strip is not a
common occurrence in the US, flying in the mountains requires a
different set of skills involving in particular a very good
understanding of the environment and
especially weather, which can change very quickly. Knowing where the
winds are coming from and how they will be affected by terrain -to form
rotor clouds, fog or possibly thunderstorms- is quite
important. Understanding how temperature combined with high altitude
affect airplane and human performance is another critical aspect of
mountain flying.
Mountain checkouts in the Bay Area usually consist in doing a
substantial ground session and subsequently flying to high altitude
airports like South Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Reno as well as other
ones less known but presenting various challenges, such as shorter
runways surrounded by trees, down- or upward sloping runways, plateau
runways or runways surrounded by terrain. Most of the time,
the checkout or training lasts the whole day with landings at multiple
airports and is geared for pilots who already have their private pilot
certificate and want to hone their skills. This is a good basis to continue learning and training further to fly
in more challenging areas outside of California, such as Colorado, Utah
and other high terrain airports.
A good source of information on mountain flying is Sparky Imeson's books that you can find here.
A good source of information on mountain flying is Sparky Imeson's books that you can find here.
Biennial Flight Review
(14 CFR 61.56
(a))
Also known as the "BFR", this evaluation is required to be completed every 24 calendar months by all pilot certificate holders. The minimum required is 1 hour of flight and 1 hour of ground time. Depending on how much you fly and how current you are, the BFR can be as short as what is required by the regulations or take longer.
Also known as the "BFR", this evaluation is required to be completed every 24 calendar months by all pilot certificate holders. The minimum required is 1 hour of flight and 1 hour of ground time. Depending on how much you fly and how current you are, the BFR can be as short as what is required by the regulations or take longer.
INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK
(14 CFR 61.57 (d))
If you hold an instrument rating and do not get your required 6 approaches, your hold and navigation in the last 6 to 12 months, you will need to complete an IPC before you are legal to take an instrument clearance and fly in instrument meteorological conditions. The IPC is conducted using the instrument rating practical test standard.
If you hold an instrument rating and do not get your required 6 approaches, your hold and navigation in the last 6 to 12 months, you will need to complete an IPC before you are legal to take an instrument clearance and fly in instrument meteorological conditions. The IPC is conducted using the instrument rating practical test standard.