Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take?

We have certificated pilots in as few as fourteen days, but 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. A student should expect to obtain a Private Pilot certificate in three to six months. Our facility is open seven days a week to accommodate your schedule.

How much will it cost?

The cost of training varies from school to school nationwide. This is because fuel, maintenance, and airport expenses are factored into airplane rental rates, and vary greatly. Additional factors affect rental rate are based on the type of training offered. For example, schools utilizing Part 141 curriculum will have greater expenses than those utilizing Part 61 curriculum due to the higher standards required of schools offering Part 141 training by the FAA. Furthermore, since a pilot certificate is issued on the basis of demonstrated proficiency rather than on hours (above the minimums) accrued in an aircraft, cost for flight training will vary among individuals. Of course, there are additional expenses for pilot supplies and equipment that also need to be considered as part of a total cost estimate. All in all, a typical student should expect to increase the "minimum cost" quoted from any flight school by 20-30% if you plan to take 4-5 lessons per week.

Do I have to pay for it all at once?

Many schools and academies require students to pay for their training in advance with no ability for a refund. However, at Northwest Aviation College and Auburn Flight Service, you can pay as you go.

Do I have to have perfect eyesight?

It is a common myth that pilot's must have perfect vision. This is only true if you are planning on flying for the military. If you want to be a commercial pilot flying for the airlines, you just have to have it "correctable" to 20/20.  For Private pilot, it needs to be "correctable" to at least 20/40.

I was told I would have to be good at math.

Good math skills are a plus, however they are not mandatory. With the technological advancements today, pilot's need to know how to use a calculator and taught how to use a flight computer to solve the calculations that are required.  We fly them, we don't build them.

What if I'm afraid of heights?

Oddly enough, alot of pilots are! Of course this can affect people in different ways, but if you can drive your car across a bridge and have the ability look down without a problem, you should be fine.  There are pilots with tens of thousands of hours of flight time, with flights up to 30,000+ feet that couldn't stand on the 2nd rung of a ladder due to their fear of heights!  Northwest Aviation College has a "Modular Flight Deck", which is basically a really-advanced flight simulator with a full visual system.  It is mounted to the floor and does not move, but can simulate flight very well.  If you're interested, we can start you out in this so you get a "feel" of what it will look like for you in flight.

Are there any good jobs out there?

The media portrays usually only the bad and typically only focuses on the "major" airlines.  The aviation industry is very "cyclic" with with down-turns in the industry usually followed by hiring frenzies.  There are many other jobs which are more stable than that of entry-level airline positions.  Flying cargo for example will typically have you making much more money to start, than with the regional airlines ($30,000.00+ per year vs. $17,000.00).  Other jobs include "crop dusting", corporate pilot, powerline patrol, fish spotting, or flying for various governmental agencies such as law enforcement, fish & game, the forest service, or DEA.  For government jobs, go to www.USAJobs.gov and use the keyword "pilot".

For passenger carrying airline jobs, the future is also quite positive.  Go to www.FAA.gov and click on "data & research".  Basically, the industry is forecasted to continue to grow at a fairly linear rate through at least the year 2025, with that up-swing beginning at the end of 2009.  Additionally, pilot retirements are on the increase as the mandatory retirement age is 65, so over the next few years there will be quite a few pilot seats that need filling.  This will be true for all levels of the airlines.

Financial Aid Information

At the present time (August 2009), financial aid for not only flight training, but student loans in general remains tight due to the economic down turn and general tightness of the credit industry.  Banks are still quite resistant to lending with many requiring high credit ratings of around 740 or more.  This should ease a bit once the economy stabilizes and credit gets moving again.

For now, Northwest Aviation College is in the final stages of acquiring "Title IV" authorization which not only allows us to offer our students federal financial aid products, but also doing so provides students access to various banks who offer Stafford Loans.  Keep checking back at the website to see when that gets approved.  There will be a "major posting" on the home page once that program is in place.

Meanwhile, the only funding options we are aware of at the current time are:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Northwest Aviation College does not endorse any lending institutions, but provides information and links to their websites for your convience.  AOPA has partnered with Bank of America to offer a flight training student loan, and more information can be found by accessing the AOPA website at: www.AOPA.org.

Veteran's Benefits (GI Bill Chapters 30, 31, and 33)

Northwest Aviation College is a recognized Montgomery GI Bill and VA approved 141 school. Our financial counselors will assist you with your personalized benefits program.

Scholarship Listings

Follow this link to get a listing of organization that offer various scholarships.  Scholarship Listing.

 

How do I start?

• Obtain a medical/student pilot certificate by visiting a FAA approved doctor in your area, or click here for an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) locator.
• Call and schedule a "Get Acquaited Flight" which counts as the first flight lesson towards your Private Pilot certificate.
• Call and Schedule an enrollment with our Chief/Assistant Chief Flight Instructor who will meet with you todiscuss your goals and the best ways to achieve them.
• Begin your training as a pilot!