The first step is to set an appointment with one of our flight instructors to discuss your learning objectives and obtain the information you need to proceed. Learning to fly is fun and not all that difficult, but it is detailed when you consider all the options available and the regulations that govern flying. You should visit other places offering flight instruction so you can make comparisons and consider options. We suggest you look for these key indicators of success.

~ Aircraft that are clean, perfectly maintained, and equipped with modern features able to deal with today s airspace and technology.
~ A towered airport so you can learn from the beginning how to deal with controlled airspace, other airplanes flying around you, and the additional safety provided by air traffic controllers.
~ Availability of other instructors and aircraft like the one you will be learning to fly so that you can depend upon back-up and support over the long term.
~ A variety of aircraft. Remember your private pilot license specifically authorizes you to fly all single engine airplanes that land and take-off from land (as opposed to water.) You should look for a fleet that represents a variety so you don t inadvertently limit your experience to just one manufacturer s airplane.
~ Insurance with manageable deductibles and conditions that provide for a waiver of subrogation that cover you as a student and rental pilot.

Medical qualifications:
The FAA requires every pilot have a medical certificate based on an examination given by a licensed FAA Aviation Medical Examiner. The medical certificate is also your student learning permit. Your flight instructor will help you select an Aviation Medical Examiner. You will need a medical certificate before your first solo flight in the airplane. Please don t think you need to be a perfect physical specimen in order to be medically certified to fly an airplane. Yes-- you can wear glasses or contacts. Yes-- you can control blood pressure with medication. Yes-- you can have less than perfect hearing. Check with an Aviation Medical Examiner about your certification requirements.

How Much?

Be advised that when you ask How much? some answers will be a bit, shall we say, qualified. Sometimes flight trainers will quote total costs based on FAA minimum time requirements for instruction and airplane time. These minimums are minimums, not typical, average, or usual. But whatever numbers you care to use, the rates times the numbers will help you approximate the cost. Just be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

HI-Tech Aviation recognizes you are driven by an desire to fly, and you are exploring how to temper that desire with reason. Sit down with one of our Instructors and get the facts, then decide. Our promise to you is that we will tailor a program that, consistent with your learning style and schedule, gets you the best value for your training dollars. We can lay out on paper, the costs based on the rating you seek, the aircraft you want to use, and the hours of instruction you require or think you will need.

Part-61 vs, Part-141
There is often great confusion as to the difference between these forms of flight training. Both 'Parts' are methods of conducting flight training under the U.S. 14-CFR, Federal Aviation Regulations. Neither method is more or less restrictive to the student or is substantially different in the quality of the training provided to a student. What is different is that Pilot (Training) Schools certificated under Part-141 are required to maintain more detailed training, progress, and enrollment records, and are closely monitored and inspected by the FAA. Detailed training syllabi, and adherence to that documentation is required. Since it is closely monitored and controlled, Under Part-141 the FAA allows slightly lower minimum training requirements. Part-61 flight training at Hi-Tech utilizes the same format, instructors, and airplanes however strict adherence to a specific syllabus and/or training regimen is not a requirement. Some believe Part-61 is more flexible, and while there is some truth it is actually surprising how similar the programs really are. International students are trained under Part-141, as the additional documentation and FAA oversight is often a requirement.