THE IFT STUDENT PAGE
For most people, learning to fly is a whole new culture; a new way of thinking. Let's start by explaining what it takes to get started.
Learning to fly isn't terribly difficult, but it is different than many things. The Federal Aviation Administration issues pilot
licenses, so, unlike driver's licenses that are state regulated, pilot's licenses are federally regulated.
There are a series of pilot licenses that you could think of as a series of steps with increasing difficulty and responsibility.
The first step for most people is the Private Pilot license. There is a new license called a Sport Pilot license also. We are
working on adding that to our training capability as well, but are not online yet.
The requirements for a Private Pilot license are:
1) You must be at least 16 years of age to solo an airplane and 17 to earn a Private Pilot license.
2) You must be able to read, speak, and understand the English language.
3) You must pass an FAA 3rd Class Medical. This is just an ordinary physical, but given by an FAA designated doctor. There is a pdf
list of FAA Medical Examiners on the download section to the right of this article. The medical certificate doubles as your Student Pilot
license. It is good for 36 calendar months if you are under 40, and 24 calendar months if you are 40 or over.
4) You must pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Exam, a 60 question test, with a score of 70% or better. To prepare for this test,
IFT provides regular Ground School classes. Check the class schedule on the calendar page of our website. Fee for the class is $250
and includes all books and materials; even your flight logbook! We also administer the FAA Exams at PS Air in Cedar Rapids. The test
fee is $90.
5) You must take at least 40 hours of flight training. About 2/3 - 3/4 of that time is with an instructor aboard. The rest of the
time is "solo", or practicing by yourself....very fun and exciting! You should know that not everyone finishing in 40 hours.
Plan on an average of 50 hours. We see about 45-55 hours at Cedar Rapids. Of course, the more often you fly and the more you
study before each lesson, the less time it will take. We finished one student in 41 hours. He was very diligent!
6) When your instructor believes you are ready and you have met all the FAA requirements, he or she will sign you off the take the
practical test. The practical test is both an oral and a flying test. The fee for the test is set by the examiner and is typically
$200.
Many people take 3 - 6 months to complete their training. You may take a year or more, or take less than 3 months. We have taught
students in as little as 39 days! He could have been quicker, but the weather was bad for a week.
So, you can do this. It is fun, challenging, exciting, and satisfying to learn to fly. Come join us!
Once you earn a Private Pilot license, you can fly day or night, but not in the clouds. To fly in the clouds requires an instrument rating.
You can take your friends and family along, but you aren't allowed to charge for your flying.
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Although we're still constructing this page, we hope to make it a resource for flight students.
Stay tuned for download files, photos, student successes, and much more!
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DOWNLOAD DIRECTORY
Gleim's Learn To Fly Booklet
FAA Airman Application 8710-1a
FAA Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards
FAA Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
FAA Instrument Pilot Practical Test Standards
Iowa FAA Medical Examiners
Iowa FAA Designated Examiners
Cedar Rapids Airport Diagram
Ground School Downloads
Coming Soon: Class Information
Q: Do I have to buy an airplane?
A: First, when you learn to fly, we supply the airplane you train in. You will be renting.
Once you earn your license, you have many options:
1) Continue renting. Hey, you already know the planes!
2) Join or form a club. We can help you if you're interested. Clubs are a great way of sharing expenses.
3) Buy a plane, either alone, or in a partnership. Former IFT students have gone on to buy some great airplanes.
4) Build a plane. The Experimental Aircraft Association (www.eaa.org) is all about homebuilding!
Q: How much will it cost to earn a pilot's license?
A: Your total cost for learning to fly will vary, depending on how often you fly and how quickly you learn.
Although the FAA minimum time is 40 hours for a Private Pilot license, the national average is about 75
hours. With our experienced instructors and top notch program, we see most students earn their license
in 45 - 55 flight hours. Within this range of hours, you will spend between $5000 and $6500. Of course,
your mileage may vary.
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