Introduction to Private FlyingSamer Najia CFI, MEI, Comm, IFR

My Path to Flight

• Wanted to fly since I was 6• Had a terrific Mentor• Made the dream real by walking into an airport one day in 1995• Relentlessly pursued the dream no matter what the obstacle• Built Homebuilt aircraft• Flew all sorts of airplanes (2, 4, 6 and 8 seaters, single and twin)• Stepped through all the stages to CFI• Currently working on “Double I”

Motivations

• Like to do something challenging• Need a transportation alternative for business or pleasure• Considering a career in aviation• Just love airplanes or anything that flys

Obstacles

• Scheduling• Finances• Health/Vision• Unrealistic expectations and goals• Anxiety• Instructors• Aircraft and Airfields• Airspace

Different Types of Pilot Licenses• Private

Most popular Typical pathway to higher ratings Requires minimum of 40 hours of flight training

• Sport Relatively new (2004) Created for people who desire to fly one or two seater aircraft that are smaller, lighter, and easier to fly Limited to planes with lower take off weight (smaller, lighter aircraft) with no more than two seats No medical certificate, but must have a valid license and “self certify” Can only fly during the daytime No Class B, C or D Airspace Max Gross Weight 1,320 lbs at takeoff and landing and 1,430 lbs at takeoff from the water Requires minimum of 20 hours of flight training

• Recreational Limited restricted version of the Private Pilot’s license Considered to be a step below Requires a minimum of 30 hours of flight training No Class B, C or D Airspace Limited to 180 horsepower, 4 seats max but can only take one passenger and can only fly at a maximum altitude of 2000 AGL Can only fly during the daytime unless under CFI supervision and with no passengers Requires a 3rd class medical

(https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/advocacy-briefs/quick-comparison-of-pilot-certificates)

Road to Success

• Be at least 17, 16 to solo• Speak, read, write and comprehend English• Successfully complete training• Secure an appropriate medical certificate (3rd Class)• Take and pass a knowledge test (written)• Take and pass a practical test (flight, aka the “Check Ride”)

SN1

Slide 6

SN1 Confirm LSA, Sport and self certification requirements for PPL, IFR, Comm, etc.Samer Najia, 2/20/2019

More Details on Eligibility• Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon, 16 years of age for a rating in a glider

or balloon.• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of

these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant’s pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.

• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:• Conducted the training or reviewed the person’s home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas

listed in §61.105(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and• Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.

• Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in §61.105(b) of this part.• Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:

• Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and

• Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before

applying for the practical test.• Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating

sought.• Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.• Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.

Time

• Anywhere from 6 to 18 months• Expect to fly at least once a week to maintain proficiency• Reducing the time span between flights and lessons reduces how

much you forget

How Many Hours Will It Take?• Single Engine Land (SEL) has a 40 hour minimum. Most pilots log 60 or more. I ended up logging

85.• Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot

areas of operation including:• 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane• 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:

a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distanceb) 10 T/O’s and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport

• 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane• 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to

the practical test• Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot

areas of operation including:• 5 hours of solo cross country flying• 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings

at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings• 3 T/O’s and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

Difficulty

• More mentally demanding than physically• Requires you to take a physical or self certify depending on certificate• Hand and eye co-ordination skills will be developed• You will experience some G-forces• You will overcome your fear of heights!

SN2

Slide 10

SN2 Note that correlation to driving means the pedals are not about powerSamer Najia, 2/20/2019

The Process

• Ground School• Pre-Solo Flight Training• Solo Flight• Maneuvers• Knowledge Test• Cross Country• Check-ride Prep• Check-ride

Ground School and Testing

• Ground School can be classroom or home study (e.g. KING, GLEIM)• Be sure you take EXCELLENT notes. Those will help you study and

prepare• Written exam is administered at various facilities, typically FBOs, e.g.

Freeway, GAI, and many others• Don’t take the written and then let it lapse (yes, it has a limited

lifespan)• Prepare for the checkride by taking an instructor up separate from

your own just to cross check

The Checkride• You will not only be paying for the exam, but for the airplane

too. Take the airplane you know and know well• The checkride is a one-on-one event. Be prepared to spend

some time on the ground showing your planning skills to the examiner

• Block out the whole day in case you are delayed or spend longer than expected on the ground. Your FBO will give your checkride priority over all other pilots

• Treat the checkride like it is a learning experience, an opportunity for further training. The examiner is not “out to get you”.

Reading Material and Resources• Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B)(https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/)• Airman’s Certification Standards (formerly Practical Test Standards)(https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/)• Advisory Circular AC61-65H(https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1034129)• Aircraft Pilots Operating Handbook (POH)• Sectional Charts from the FAA (note other sources)(https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/productcatalog/vfrcharts/sectional/)

Websites• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): www.aopa.org• Experimental Aviation Association (EAA): www.eaa.org• FAASafety: www.faasafety.gov (WINGS Credits, training, webinars and

courses)• FAA Training and Resource Guides:

www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/• FAA Handbooks and Manuals:

www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/• 1800WXBrief.com

Flying With Me

• I am a very conservative pilot• I am also a very demanding instructor• I do not “hot dog”• Sometimes my gut says don’t go and that always wins• My objective is not just to get you to “pass”, but to be an outstanding

pilot• I do have a tendency to get technical (just because of my background)

Flight Experience• Flying since 1995• Rated CFI, MEI, Commercial, Multi, IFR with 1000+ hours, all self

financed• I am not a “double I”…..YET!• I have 9 hours in a Helicopter too (R22)• I have no aspiration to join the airlines, but if you do, the ATP is in

your future• I have flown single and multi engine aircraft from 2 to 8 seaters• I have logged time in the UK as well as the US• I have worked on or built 3 aircraft so I know intimately how they

work. I expect my students to ‘wear’ their airplanes as a result.• I have built 2 flight simulators and am working on a Helicopter update

What About the Flight?

• If you just want to go for a ride, we fly out of Freeway in a Cessna 172• If you want to train, we fly out of Tipton in a TB-9• I have no issue if you just want to occasionally sit in the right seat and

enjoy the view. I only fly alone when I am refreshing my skills• I typically fly early mornings if on weekdays, mid-mornings if on

weekends• I do this for fun and to keep sharp, I have a regular job that pays the

bills – that means I will try to limit your ‘bouncing’ between instructors

Q&A

• How else can I help?

More Questions?

• Feel free to contact

• Email at snajia@gmail.com

• Phone at 301-526-7423