Flying

Private Pilot

Category: Flying Hits: 22557

Get Started With our Ground School

After the introductory flight lesson and you have discovered that flying is more fun than you have ever dreamed, it is time to earn your Private Pilot Certificate and see the world from a new perspective.

A safe and competent pilot is a result of careful instruction, a solid knowledge base and sound decision making. Your best alternative is to train with a full time, professional flight instructor, who is committed to YOUR success.

It's easier than you think; contact Benton Air Center and the sky will no longer be a limit.

Prerequisites to Beginning Your Training

  • Read and Write English Language
  • The ability to obtain an FAA third class medical
  • At least 17 years of age at the time of the practical test
  • Provide proof of US citizenship (normally a US passport, or birth certificate). Non-US citizens will need to complete the TSA background check process.

 

 

To earn your Private Pilot certificate, you must have at least 35 hours of total flight time (Part 141) or 40 hours of total flight time (Part 61), which must include:

  • 20 Hours of dual flight time with an instructor
  • 3 Hours of simulated instrument time
  • 3 Hours of dual cross country
  • 3 Hours in the preceding 2 months with an instructor before the checkride

3 Hours of night flight, including:

  • A cross country greater than 100nm total distance
  • 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop

10 hours of solo flight time, including (only 5 for part 141):

  • 5 Hours of solo cross country (only 3 for part 141)
  • 1 solo cross country of at least 150 nautical miles total distance with 3 full stop landings
  • 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at a towered airport

 

 

Get help paying for your training costs.

Apply for a Scholarship

Information and rates on our training program for Private Pilot.

How Much Is It?

 

Planes

Category: Flying Hits: 22233

All our aircraft have with ADS-B out&in installed, with WiFi links for ADS-B for all 5 aircraft. We currently offer 2 options for primary training and rental aircraft. N84DL and N739YY are both Cessna 172N models. We also offer a TAA Cessna 172N. Tailwheel training is available in our 1957 Champ. Our high performance rental is a Cessna 182 (Dynon panel). Additional aircraft are currently for scenic flights and instruction only. Check the scenic page for more information.

 

N7550B

 

For those that desire a tailwheel aircraft, we are adding a 1957 Champ to our training fleet. An excellent training aircraft for either primary instruction, or those that wish to receive a tailwheel endorsement and add to the types of planes you are able to fly. Slide open the window, cruise at about 90MPH and land at 40MPH!

This plane has an STC that will allow for door removal on the warmer weather days if you desire. A very basic, fun to fly VFR plane, it is our lowest cost rental.

A special 15hr package price to work towards a tailwheel endorsement and rental checkout will be available.

 

 

N123TT is a Cessna 172N for advanced pilots and training that requires a TAA. This plane has a dual Dynon HDX glass panel system, which includes autopilot and flight director functions, as well as typical moving maps, ADS-B out&in, with a WiFi link, VFR and IFR charts, and an Air Conditioner. This plane will meet the TAA requirements instead of needing a complex aircraft for commercial times, and is an excellent IFR training aircraft.

 

 

 

N123TT

  • 1979 C172N
  • Garmin 430W
  • Dynon HDX dual touch screens with backup
  • Wifi panel connection for flight planning
  • Autopilot
  • ADS-B in and out
  • ICAO codes: S G B2
  • Air Conditioning
  • Cessna 172N Dynon Checklist
  • $165 per hour (wet rate)

 

 

 

N84DL

 

 

 

 

 

N739YY

 

 

 

 

 

N21171

 

 

Instrument Pilot

Category: Flying Hits: 15353

Fly in the clouds.

To earn your Instrument Rating, you must have at least a Private Pilot Certificate and:

  • 50 Hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command
  • 40 Hours of simulated instrument flight time (10 of which can be in our approved simulator* )
  • 15 hours of instrument training from an authorized instructor
  • 3 hours of flight training in the preceding 2 months before the test
  • 1 Cross Country under IFR of at least 250 nm with a different instrument approach at 3 different airports

* Time allowances for simulated instrument time are currently undergoing additional changes. The part 61 times allowed may soon changed to 20 hours allowed. Part 141 training times allow for a much larger portion to be completed in an approved simulator.

 

Get help paying for your training costs.

Apply for a Scholarship

Information and rates on our training program for Instrument Pilot.

How Much Is It?

 

N123TT is a Cessna 172N for advanced pilots and training that requires a TAA. This plane has a dual Dynon HDX glass panel system, which includes autopilot and flight director functions, as well as typical moving maps, ADS-B out&in, with a WiFi link, VFR and IFR charts, and an Air Conditioner. This plane will meet the TAA requirements instead of needing a complex aircraft for commercial times, and is an excellent IFR training aircraft.

 

 

 

N123TT

  • 1979 C172N
  • Garmin 430W
  • Dynon HDX dual touch screens with backup
  • Wifi panel connection for flight planning
  • Autopilot
  • ADS-B in and out
  • Air Conditioning
  • Cessna 172N Dynon Checklist
  • $155 per hour (wet rate)

 

We conduct most Instrument training in our glass panel aircraft, N123TT

1 Training information helpful to pilots at Benton Air Center.

Dynon HDX Related files:

 

 

 

 

2 Links to a number of great aviation resources. The G1000 systems uses a lot of layouts similar to the Dynon system.

Additional External G1000 Resources and Training links:

 

Flying FAQ

Category: Flying Hits: 30187

Here are some questions most prospective pilots ask:

What does it cost to learn to fly?

Some costs of obtaining your pilot certificate will be the same at any school; an FAA medical exam, books and supplies, written test fee, and the practical examiner's fee. These items will total approximately $600-1000.

Other costs are more variable, such as the cost of renting the training aircraft, and the actual instruction cost. At a minimum, the FAA requires 20 hours of dual instruction and 40 hours of flight time for a Private Pilot certificate. Although some students do obtain their certificate in the minimum amount of time, our average flight training time is 50-60 hours. This usually equates to between between $10,000 and $12,000 for a Private Pilot certificate. Training more often (e.g., three times a week vs. once a week) can greatly help to reduce the overall time and expense in obtaining your pilot's license.

What are the requirements to obtain a private pilot license?

  • You must be at least 17 years of age to be eligible for your private pilot certificate. You can begin flight training before your 17th birthday, however.
  • You need to obtain an FAA medical certificate from an FAA approved doctor. We know the approved doctors in this area and will provide you with their names.
  • You must be able to read and understand the English language. English is the language of flight communications around the world.
  • You will need at least 40 hours flying the aircraft. At least 20 hours must be with a Certified Flight Instructor, and a least 10 hours must be solo flight time including a cross country flight of 150 nautical miles or more.
  • You will need to pass a written examination consisting of multiple choice questions on various aviation topics including navigation, weather, communications, and airplane systems. You'll take this test after extensive dual and ground instruction and after studying the appropriate reference books. The questions won't be difficult when you and your instructor agree that you're ready to take the test. You'll take the test at our on site LaserGrade facility.
  • You must successfully pass an oral exam and practical test flying your aircraft with an FAA examiner. This is the "final exam". You will practice the specific tasks and maneuvers for this test until you and your flight instructor are comfortable that you will be completely successful.

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