The Cirrus is an exceptional platform for learning how to fly. Cirrus aircraft utilize cutting edge equipment and safety resources to make personal and business aviation both enjoyable and safe. In addition to its incredible flight characteristics, Cirrus has developed amazing state-of-the-art educational and flight planning resources for the pilot.
With the Private Pilot course, you will complete the aeronautical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements for a FAA Private Pilot Certificate. We are here to ensure that you not only have the experience you need, but that you are proficient in each aspect of flight. Our goal as a team is to provide you with the necessary tools and experiences to help you prepare for the Private Pilot written, verbal, and practical tests.
You can become a pilot if you are at least 17, are fluent in English, and have a medical certificate (your instructor can explain this more).
Becoming a private pilot also requires that you:
Complete ground training through a home-study course:
This should cover topics like the principles of aerodynamics, FAA rules and regulations, weather principles, stall recovery techniques, airplane engine, propeller, and fuel basics, airplane electrical systems, basic engine operations, basic ground operations, radio communications, and navigation using visual flight rules (VFR).
Pass a written knowledge exam with a grade of at least 70 percent:
Once you have completed the on-line ground training course, your instructor must ensure your understanding of the material before you take the FAA knowledge exam. This involves going to an FAA-approved testing center and answering 60 multiple-choice questions in 2.5 hours.
Complete, at a minimum, 40 hours of flight time and, in a Cirrus, will be closer to 55 hours due to the complexity of the aircraft:
This should include at least 10 hours of flying by yourself (solo) around your home airport and cross-country flights. Your flight instructor must also verify in your logbook that you have demonstrated sufficient skills in pre-flight procedures, takeoffs, landings, navigation, stalls, night operations, and more.
Pass a practical flying test (known as a “checkride”) administered by an FAA-designated evaluator:
This includes an oral exam and a flight. You will have to demonstrate different maneuvers like steep turns, stall recovery, and various takeoffs and landings. The whole thing takes about four hours.
While learning to fly in one of our state-of-the-art Cirrus aircraft, we do recommend that you also complete the Cirrus Transition Training course.
This is an amazing on-line course that has been developed by the Cirrus Aircraft factory and is a valuable course with Cirrus specific videos and content.
There are other course materials that you will want to use as references that will be explained by your instructor pilot: including a Cirrus Flight Operations Manual (an interactive e-book for an iPad), a subscription to a pilot’s flight planning and flight management app for your mobile device (one example: Foreflight), FAA regulations manual, and other books.
Once you receive your private pilot license, you are qualified to operate single-engine aircraft under visual flight rules. That means you can fly in clear weather conditions.
Adding an Instrument rating to an existing Pilot’s certificate is just a natural step towards making a safer pilot. In addition to allowing you to fly in all weather conditions, it opens up a whole different world of aviation to flying through and above clouds for that added tailwind. It adds a layer of safety, precision and expertise to your existing flying skills.
We are a dedicated team that embodies the Cirrus life and who embrace a structured approach to training new and experienced pilots. Using Cirrus’ training resources in addition to an instrument syllabus, our mentor pilots not only help you prepare for the Instrument rating tests but build proficiency and confidence in a thorough scenario-based learning experience.
