Flight Training FAQs

No prior aviation experience is required. All training begins with fundamentals and builds toward advanced skills.

In order to start training for a private pilot license, the base certification for flight training, you must:

• Be proficient in English.
• Be at least 17 years old when you complete the course.
• Have proof of U.S. citizenship or completed TSA approval.
• Hold at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate before you can fly solo. An FAA medical exam by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is required.

Training includes:

• Ground School
  Classroom instruction covering aerodynamics, regulations, weather, navigation, and safety.
• Dual Flight Instruction
  Flight hours with a certified instructor.
• Solo Flight Time
  Supervised solo flights once eligibility and proficiency standards are met.
• Written and Practical Exams
  FAA Knowledge Tests and Check-Rides.

Yes. Dayton Aviation supports both full-time and part-time students with flexible scheduling.

Most students make better progress when they fly consistently, often two or more times per week when their schedule and weather allow. Consistent training helps reduce review time between lessons and keeps skills fresh.

Bring a government-issued photo ID, any pilot or medical documents you already have, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and a way to take notes. If you are starting formal training, the team will also explain TSA citizenship or approval documentation before applicable flight training activities.

Yes. A discovery flight is an introductory lesson with a certified flight instructor, and the flight time can be logged toward a pilot certificate.

Plan on a reserved block of time with your instructor, including the preflight introduction and about 30-40 minutes in the airplane.

No prior flight experience is required. Your instructor will guide you through the aircraft, procedures, and what to do in the cockpit.

Yes. Discovery flight gift certificates are available for aspiring pilots, adventurous friends, and anyone who wants to experience flight.

If you want to continue, we can help you choose the next lesson or compare recreational and professional training paths based on your goals and schedule.

Under FAA Part 61, private pilot airplane applicants need at least 40 hours of flight time, including required dual instruction, solo time, cross-country, night, and practical test preparation. Most students need additional training time to reach checkride readiness. For reference, the national average to complete a Private Pilot Certificate is around 75 flight hours.

Sources

• 14 CFR 61.109
• FAA pilot hourly requirements FAQ

A private pilot may act as pilot in command within the privileges and limitations of the certificate, including flying for personal travel or recreation. Private pilots cannot fly for compensation or hire, and some operations require additional ratings, endorsements, or currency.

Source: 14 CFR 61.113

A Sport Pilot Certificate is an FAA pilot certificate designed for light-sport aircraft operations. It can be a good fit for recreational flying goals, but it has operating limits that are different from private pilot privileges.

Regulations

• FAA Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft
• 14 CFR 61.315

No, you can use a valid U.S. driver’s license instead of an FAA medical certificate, but students should confirm eligibility before planning training around that option. Contact us if you are unsure.

Regulation: 14 CFR 61.303

An Instrument Rating teaches you to fly by reference to instruments and operate under instrument flight rules. It is valuable for improving weather decision-making, expanding dispatch flexibility, and building the foundation for advanced and career-oriented training.

Instrument rating applicants must hold at least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate aircraft category and class rating, complete required instrument training and aeronautical experience, pass the FAA knowledge test, and pass the practical test.

A Commercial Pilot Certificate is the FAA certificate that allows a pilot to be compensated for certain flying within the privileges and limitations of the certificate and the rules governing the operation. It is also a common step for pilots pursuing instructing or professional aviation work.

Under FAA Part 61 airplane rules, commercial pilot applicants generally need at least 250 hours of flight time along with specific pilot-in-command, cross-country, instrument, and practical test preparation experience.

A Certified Flight Instructor teaches flight students and provides required endorsements within the instructor’s privileges and limitations. Many pilots pursue CFI training to teach, build professional experience, and sharpen their own flying and aeronautical knowledge.

For an airplane CFI certificate, applicants generally must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, complete the required training, receive the required endorsement, and pass the applicable FAA knowledge tests and the flight instructor practical test.

See the full list of requirements.

A complex endorsement is required before acting as pilot in command of a complex airplane, unless an FAA exception applies. Complex airplanes generally include retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller.

See the full regulation - 14 CFR 61.31(e)

Most pilots must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command, unless they meet an FAA-approved alternative. A flight review includes at least one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training.

More information - 14 CFR 61.56.

An Instrument Proficiency Check may be needed when a pilot has not maintained instrument currency under FAA rules. The check helps confirm that instrument procedures, aircraft control, navigation, and decision-making are ready for IFR operations again.

See the full regulation - 14 CFR 61.57(d).

We keep pilot resources, aircraft documents, checklists, handbooks, manuals, and local procedures in our Pilot Library page so students and renters can review the correct material before training or rental flights.

The FAA does not require a bachelor’s degree for a standard ATP certificate. Employer expectations vary, and some airlines may require or prefer a degree. Certain FAA-authorized aviation degree programs can support restricted-ATP eligibility with reduced aeronautical experience when all conditions are met.

There is no single ideal starting age. A career changer should evaluate medical eligibility, training cost, time available to build experience, hiring cycles, relocation flexibility, and the years available before the applicable airline retirement age.

There is no guaranteed timeline. Training consistency, weather, proficiency, finances, aircraft and instructor availability, checkride scheduling, experience-building opportunities, and employer hiring standards all affect the path.

No. The commercial certificate permits eligible compensated flying within applicable rules, but airlines normally require substantially more experience, ATP or restricted-ATP qualifications, medical eligibility, and successful completion of their selection and training processes.

Yes, BLS projects about 18,200 airline and commercial pilot openings per year from 2024 through 2034, including openings created when workers leave the occupation. Hiring still changes with economic conditions, airline strategy, fleet availability, geography, and applicant qualifications.

The options can be compatible. Compare the certificates or degree earned, total cost, financial aid, schedule, workforce timing, degree portability, employer preferences, and whether a specific FAA-authorized collegiate program provides an R-ATP benefit.

Early. Medical eligibility can affect solo flight and professional plans. Review current FAA guidance and speak with an Aviation Medical Examiner about individual medical history before making a large training commitment.