Private Pilot Training in Bakersfield, CA

Becoming a private pilot

The private pilot certificate lets you fly an airplane as pilot in command, carry passengers and fly for personal or recreational purposes. It is the foundation for every other certificate and rating, and it is a rewarding goal on its own. Jacob teaches private pilot training under 14 CFR Part 61 out of KBFL Meadows Field in Bakersfield.

Basic eligibility

• Be at least 17 years old to earn the certificate (16 to fly solo).
• Be able to read, speak, write and understand English.
• Hold an FAA medical certificate before solo flight (talk to an Aviation Medical Examiner if you have questions).
• Obtain a student pilot certificate, which your instructor will help you apply for.
• Pass the FAA knowledge test and a practical test (the "checkride") with a designated pilot examiner.

Non-U.S. citizens training in the U.S. may have additional TSA security requirements before starting flight training. Ask about the current requirements.

What you will learn

1. Pre-solo training. Aircraft control, takeoffs and landings, traffic patterns, radio communication, slow flight, stalls and emergency procedures, building to your first solo flight.
2. Solo and cross-country flying. Flight planning, navigation by pilotage and GPS, weather decisions and flying to other airports.
3. Night flying. The visual and operational differences of flying after dark, including night takeoffs and landings.
4. Basic instrument training. Flying by reference to instruments to help you handle an accidental encounter with poor visibility.
5. Checkride preparation. Reviewing everything against the current Airman Certification Standards (ACS) so you are ready for the oral and flight portions of the practical test.

FAA minimum experience under Part 61

14 CFR 61.109 requires at least 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight. The rule also sets specific requirements for cross-country flying, night flying, instrument training, solo takeoffs and landings at a towered airport and test preparation. Those are minimums. The national average is typically higher, and the right time to take your checkride is when you meet the standards in the ACS, not when you reach a number on the clock. Always check the current regulation for the exact details.

Ground training and knowledge test

Alongside your flight lessons you will prepare for the FAA knowledge test on topics such as aerodynamics, weather, regulations, airspace, navigation, aircraft systems and weight and balance. Many students use an online ground school or a textbook and meet with their instructor to go over difficult topics. See the study materials and FAA handbook links for free references.

Night flying

Night flight is part of private pilot training, and it is also one of the most memorable parts. Cities look very different from the air at night, the horizon can be hard to see and your instrument scan becomes more important. Training covers preparing for night flight, the lights and equipment you need and handling the airplane in darkness.

Aircraft and costs

You will need an airplane for flight lessons. Megahertz Sky Hub at KBFL rents airplanes, and their site currently lists rental at $172 per hour wet (fuel included). Rates change, so confirm with the shop. Total cost depends on your hours, so budget for the airplane, instruction time, ground training, books and fees for the medical exam, knowledge test and practical test. Flight instruction is $70 per hour, separate from airplane rental.