University Flying Club Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

I don’t have any experience in flying planes. Can I still join the University Flying Club?

A main goal of the club is to provide the most economical means possible for people to get a private pilot certificate. No prior experience necessary! (Note: technically, in the US it is officially called a private pilot certificate, but many people call it a private pilot license).

I am already a private pilot. Can I still join?

Yes, you are welcome to join and enjoy the use of our planes and hopefully share that joy with others!

I’m not a university student. Can I still join?

While we primarily consider ourselves to be a club for students at the University of Maine, anyone can join as an “associate member”. Dues and privileges for such members are the same as for students.

What does it take to get a pilot certificate?

To earn a private pilot certificate you must acquire both the knowledge and the skill to operate an aircraft safely. The FAA requires that you pass both a knowledge (written) test and a practical test consisting of an oral and a flight test. The knowledge test must be passed sometime in the two years preceeding the practical test. The ground school helps prepare you for the knowledge test, and flying lessons help prepare you for the practical test.

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training. Although 40 hours is the minimum, the average person takes perhaps 60-70 hours. Along the way you will learn how to handle the airplane, do take-offs and landings under various conditions, fly using your instruments (in the event of an emergency), and fly at night, as well as learn about airports, traffic patterns, communications, weather, cross-country planning, federal aviation regulations, and host of other things.

You can find more information on pilot certification at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_certification_in_the_United_States and http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/faqs.html

Is there any age limit?

There is no age limit to start your flight training or take ground school; however, you must be at least 16 before you can solo and at least 17 to take your checkride for your private pilot certificate.

Does a pilot certificate ever expire?

No. The pilot certificate is valid for life, but to exercise it’s privileges you must possess a current medical certificate and you must have had a flight review with an instructor in the previous two years. This generally requires at least an hour of ground time plus an hour flight. You must do this even if you yourself are an instructor and you fly everyday! If more than two years have elapsed since your last review, then you cannot fly until you have a have a review. If it has been a while since you have flown, several flights may be needed before the instructor signs you off.

How long is my medical certificate valid?

Private pilots are required to have a third class medical. This is valid for 60 calendar months (the end of the month in 5 years) for folks under the age of 40 on the date of the last exam. It is valid for 24 calendar months for those over age 40.

Is the University Flying Club a flight school?

As a club, we operate under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, as compared to a flight school which operates under Part 141. The club itself is not in the buisiness of training students. We own two airplanes (located at Bangor International Airport) and have a list of instructors that can work with club members on an individual basis. These are not assigned; members will make their own selection. We also have been offering a private pilot ground school each semester for the last several years. The ground school is not for academic credit.

Where can I find the list of instructors?

There is a list of certified flight instructors for the club on the flying club’s web-site: http://www.umaine.edu/flyingclub To begin your practical flight training contact one of the CFIs.

Can I use an instructor that is not on the list?

Our insurance wants to know about the instructors that are instructing in our planes. Any instructor wanting to instruct in our planes should contact the treasurer, Al Stone (fly1698@msn.com, 207-356-8530) and he can get them set up. With our demand for training, we can always use more instructors for the general membership, however, if an instructor wants to only work with a particular club member, then that is OK, too.

Do I have to take the ground school?

No, a ground school is not required, but it is highly recommended. You can study on your own and then have an instructor sign you off to take the knowledge test. Advantages of taking the ground school are that it can motivate you to study on a regular basis, expose you to others so you can share in their motivation and enthusiasm, have someone to discuss with and ask questions to, learn from the personal experience of the instructor and be thorough, making sure you have covered all the material.

Who can take the University Flying Club’s ground school?

Anyone can take the ground school. You do not have to be a member of the club.

How long will it take to get my private pilot certificate?

That all depends on you and how often you fly. If you can fly a couple times a week you might finish in 3 to 6 months, while once a week might take you a year. Keep in mind that the FAA requirements are just minimums and it might take you longer than average to master a topic. Typically, flying more often means that you spend less of each lesson in review and refamiliarization, and the total hours will likely be less.

How does scheduling the airplanes work and is there a limit to how much time I can schedule?

Our scheduler is online, and you schedule times that are good for both you and your instructor. In order to allow everyone a chance to fly, the club has a rule that you can sign up for a maximum 8 hours of time. This does not limit the number of hours you can fly in a week, however. For example, if you have scheduled 4 hours on Monday and 2 hours on each of Tuesday and Wednesday, then after Monday’s flight you can schedule another four hours. With this rule you can’t hog the schedule, but if no one else is flying then you can fly as much as you want.

How much does it cost to learn to fly with the University Flying Club?

Our planes are some of the cheapest you will find anywhere. Our joining fees are currently $174 plus a $300 refundable deposit that you get back when you leave the club. This covers the first months dues, key deposit, and an owner’s manual for one of the planes. The monthly dues are $25. Members can rent the club planes for $55/hour (club Cessna 152 - the two seater) or $75/hour (club 172 - the four seater). These prices are “wet” meaning they include fuel (as well as all other operating expenses). Instructors charge their own rates, typically $30/hour or so. Other costs include a medical exam (about $100), the written exam (currently $150), the practical (flight) test ($200-$300), and miscellaneous books and materials ($100 to $200). You might also consider buying items such as your own headset, handheld radio, flight bag, etc.

How do the rates compare to learning to fly elsewhere?

We are about the cheapest option around. For example a new rental operation in Bangor is reportedly charging $135 per Hobbs hour for their plane.

Sounds great! How can I join?

Please contact our treasurer, Alan Stone (fly1698@msn.com, 207-356-8530) to sign up as a flying member.

I’ve heard there is a non-flying member status. What is that?

We like to involve students at UMaine who are interested in aviation in the club, even if they are not currently ready to fly. Non-flying members join at no cost and there are no dues. Non-flying members are encouraged to attend meetings and safety seminars. We try to give active non-flying members an opportunity to go for a flight. Simply let our club president know if you are interested.

What activities does the club offer?

The club has a monthly meeting where members meet and discuss aviation. We always try to make these meetings fun and educational. The club also sponsors “Wings” seminars and sometimes hosts various tours and events.

How can I keep informed of club meetings, seminars, ground schools, etc.?

The best way is to stay informed is to subscribe to our email list. To subscribe, simply send an email to UMaineFlying-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. For those on campus, we also have a FirstClass folder (however, the email list is recommended).