FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Does It Take?
AGE - A person may begin flight training at any age (our youngest student was 11), but the minimum age to operate an aircraft solo is 16. Furthermore, a person must be at least 17 years of age to apply for Private Pilot's certification. Likewise, the minimum age requirements for Commercial Pilot certification and Airline Transport Pilot certification are 18 and 23 respectively.
MEDICAL - Prior to your flight training, you wil need to obtain at least a thrid class medical certificate from a doctor designated to give aviation examinations. This is a routine physical examination, and a third class medical certificate is valid for up to three years. Your medical will also be your student pilot certificate, which allows you to fly designated airplanes during your training.
PROFICIENCY - A pilot certificate is issued on the basis of demonstrated knowledge and proficiency of written and pratical curriculum rather than on total hours accrued in the aircraft; althought there is a minimum flight time required. For the practical portion of the curriculum, the Federal Aviation Administratino (FAA) states that the minimum accrued time required for consideration for Private Pilot certification by students training under Part 141 curriculum is 35 hours. Students are required to demonstrate their practical proficiency during a scheduled flight test conducted by a designated FAA examiner. For the written portion of the curriculum, students must pass the FAA written examination with a 70% score or higher.
How do I start?
See International Student Overview AND Application Requirements
How much does it cost?
How long will it take?
We have certified pilots in a s few as 14 days with a Private Pilot License. However, this is likely to prove to be a bit exhaustive for most people. Completion times will vary depending on each student's level of commitment, study habits, flight frequency and weather conditions.
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE - A student should expect to obtain a Privat Pilot certificate in three to six months.
PROFESSIONAL PILOT I VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE - This certificate program is designed to take a flight student through Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor in 12 months for full time students.
PROFESSIONAL PILOT II VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE - This certificate program is designed to take a flight student through Private, Instrument, Commercial, Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument in 18 months for full time students.
PROFESSIONAL PILOT III VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE - This certificate program is designed to take a flight student through Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, Multi-engine rating and Multi-engine Instructor in 24 months for full time students.
AAS in AVIATION FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY - This program is designed to take a flight student through Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, Multi-engine rating, Multi-engine Instructor, 5 credit hours of aviation elective credit and 25 hours of general education courses in 24 months for full time students.
Our facility is open seven days a week to accommodate your schedule.
Will my credits transfer?
Northwest Aviation college is a nationally accredited college and has an articulation agreement with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for students who wish to continue on to prusue a four year degree. Each student should verify transferrability of credit with the intended instution of attendance.
What about my vision?
Students whose vision is 20/20 with correction are eligible for flight training.