Phase I:

Private Pilot Certificate
The Private Pilot Certificate is the basic FAA license that serves as the foundation of the Commercial Pilot course. In this course you will learn about aerodynamics, weather, navigation, performance procedures, regulations, and a variety of subjects both theoretical and practical that relate to flight operations. Flight training includes operating procedures, communications, basic instrument familiarization, navigation, cross country flying, night operations, emergency procedures, and flight maneuvers. Each of the skills taught are designed to develop practical knowledge and experience needed to operate in accordance with aviation safety standards.

What are the Privileges as a Private Pilot?

As an FAA licensed private pilot, you are allowed to carry passengers, although not for compensation or hire. As a private pilot you may share the operating expenses with your passengers.

Medical Certification

As a private pilot candidate, you must undergo a routine medical exam. A doctor that is designated by the FAA (FAA Medical Examiner) administers this exam. If you are at least 16 years old and can read, speak and understand the English language, upon successful completion of this exam, you will receive your student pilot certificate.

The private pilot candidate is only required to have a third class medical exam, which is valid for 36 months if you have not reached your 40th birthday. The third class medical is valid for 24 months if you have reached your 40th birthday. If you have a physical handicap, medical certificates can be issued in most cases with operating limitations.

Written Test

You must pass a knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. This test is administered at our training facility. the test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions selected from the FAA Private Pilot Test Bank. The questions are reproduced and answered in the FAA Exam Study Guide.

Bel-Air International offers ground school courses to help prepare for the exam. We also offer members a library of videotapes for personal viewing.

Flight Instruction

Your flight training will consist of at least 40 hours which includes instruction and solo flight time. The minimum requires 20 hours of flight instruction from a Certified Flight Instructor. This will include 3 hours of cross-country, 3 hours at night, 3 hours of simulated instrument training and 3 hours of preparation for the private pilot test.

Solo Flight

Solo flight requirements are 10 hours, which consist of local flight and cross-country flight.

Flight Test

You must successfully complete a practical test, which will be given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or a designated examiner. The FAA designated examiners are proficient, experienced flight instructors who are authorized by the FAA to conduct flight tests. There is a fee for the flight test.

Phase II:

Instrument Rating

The Instrument Rating gives the ability to control the aircraft without reference to the ground or horizon, using flight and navigation instruments. This is required of the professional pilot who must be able to demonstrate proficiency in instrument flying regardless of the type of aircraft they fly. Instrument training is among the most challenging and satisfying parts of the program. It is incorporated into our Commercial Pilot certification course.

Phase III:

Commercial Pilot Certification

The Commercial Pilot Certificate is the FAA license necessary to receive compensation for transporting people or goods by air. A privilege which requires a demonstration of specific knowledge and skill in aircraft operation and management. The extensive classroom instruction in our Commercial Pilot course provides in depth coverage of the subject FAA written exam. Flight instruction includes advanced maneuvers, high altitude familiarization, operations in metropolitan areas and controlled airspace, extensive cross country flying, and night operations. In later stages of training students transition into high performance, complex aircraft equipped with constant speed propellers, retractable landing gear, and more sophisticated avionics and instrumentation. For complex training Bel-Air relies on the single-engine Piper Arrow and/or the popular twin engine Beechcraft Duchess. Commercial pilot candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the FAA flight check.

Phase IV:

Flight Instructor Certificate

The Flight Instructor Certificate is the FAA certification needed to be employed as a flight instructor. A position for students who desire to accumulate experience to qualify for the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATP). The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) must demonstrate excellent flying skills, thorough knowledge of the academic subjects, and be able to communicate effectively.

Phase V:

Flight Instructor - Instrument Rating

The Flight Instructor Instrument rating is also important to students interested in preparing for employment as a flight instructor. The CFI instrument rating, when added to the Certified Flight Instructor certificate, allows the student to teach instrument procedures, and accumulate valuable instrument flight experience.

Phase VI:

Flight Instructor - Multiengine Rating

The Multiengine Instructor Rating (MEI) allows flight instructors to provide instruction in multiengine aircraft. This is an important rating for those who desire to accumulate additional multiengine experience.

Phase VII:

Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP)

This is the highest level of pilot certification in the United States. It focuses on basic instrument flying skills with simply more critical performance standards. To qualify, a pilot must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating and have logged at least 1,500 hours of total flight experience. While the ATP can be earned with either single or multiengine endorsements, career oriented pilots are advised to obtain the multiengine ATP credential. Graduates of our Professional Pilot Program typically return to school to gain this certificate after accumulating the prerequisite flight experience in entry level jobs.