Learn To Fly

• What do I need to become a pilot?
  Age: You must be at least 16 to solo a powered aircraft, and at least 17 to take the private pilot practical test.
  
  Medical and Student Pilot Certificate: You must have a medical certificate from a physician who is an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). AV-ED has a list of AMEs in this area. On the reverse side of the first medical certificate is the student pilot certificate. You may start training without a student pilot certificate, but you must obtain the combination medical and student pilot certificate before you can fly solo.
  
  Ground Training and Knowledge (Written) Test: In order to pass the FAA’s knowledge test, ground school is highly recommended. AV-ED’s top-notch ground training course provides instruction on aerodynamics, aircraft systems, airspace, meteorology, navigation, regulations, flight physiology, and many other subjects. This instruction prepares you to pass the FAA’s computer-based “knowledge test,” which is another requirement for getting a private pilot certificate. AV-ED offers ground instruction courses at the Leesburg Airport and at our ground training school in Tysons Corner. Classes run twice a week for six weeks from 6:30pm to 10:00pm. The first ten sessions cover all required material. The eleventh session is a review and “practice” FAA exam, which you must pass with a score of 80% or better to get an AV-ED instructor’s authorization to take the knowledge test. AV-ED has computer facilities at Tysons Corner, and the twelfth session is set aside for the knowledge test.
  
  Flight Training: You need a minimum of 40 hours of flight training -- at least 20 hours of dual time (i.e., with a flight instructor) and at least 10 hours of solo time. The required hours are subdivided into various flight operations. In practice, most people need 65 to 70 hours to achieve proficiency in all the required maneuvers. AV-ED Flight School operates from the Leesburg Executive Airport, and is open from 8am to 6pm every day of the week.
  
  Practical Test: Flight training culminates with a “checkride” given by an FAA examiner or an FAA-designated examiner. The examiner looks to determine whether you meet the standards set forth in the Practical Test Standards (PTS) for each area of operation.
  
  
• What is involved in flight training?
  The AV-ED flight training course is divided into three major parts. or “stages.” The first stage focuses on developing proficiency in the 15 maneuvers the FAA requires prior to solo. In addition to takeoffs and landings and the four fundamental skills (straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents), these maneuvers include ground reference exercises, flight at different speeds and configurations, and emergency procedures. The second stage begins with high performance takeoffs and landings, and moves onto navigation, night operations, and other skills. During this part of the course, students practice solo flight both locally and through trips to other airports. The third stage reviews and polishes maneuvers in preparation for the practical test (“checkride”). At the end of each stage, you will have a “stage check” session with one of the school’s assistant chief flight instructors. The stage check gives you a chance to fly with a different instructor, and it serves as one of the school’s “quality control” mechanisms.
  
  
• How much does it cost to fly?
  The total cost of flight training varies according to the type of airplane used and the total amount of time it takes for training. Flight instruction is $49 per hour. (See our "Meet the Fleet" page for rental rates.)
  
  For some details on cost visit our FAA Certificate page and click on the pertinent link.

  Many people use the “pay-as-you-go” method. AV-ED also offers a “prepayment” accounts, in which there is a 5% rebate on prepayments of at least $2,000 once the initial deposit is spent.
  
  

• How do I know if I will like flying enough to enroll for flight and ground school?
  AV-ED offers introductory “discovery flights” in each type of aircraft we have. Prices for these half-hour flights range from $49 to $99 in various types of aircraft used for primary training. A discovery flight is a great way to get acquainted with flying and get started on a wonderful adventure! AV-ED also offers a variety of gift certificates for flight and ground training.
  
  
• My partner flies, and I’d like to know more about flying without necessarily becoming a pilot myself. Can you help me?
  Yes! AV-ED periodically offers “right-seat pilot” training for anyone who flies with a spouse, partner, friend, or associate. You will learn how airplanes fly, how to navigate, how to read the gauges, and how to tune and use the radios. This course is ideal for flying spouses, friends, or associates, and it provides a greater sense of comfort. You will also get first hand practice at landing the airplane!
  
  
• Can you tell me about AV-ED’s Ground School and Flight School?
  Certainly. Click on the link to go to our Ground School information and course schedule page, or to our Flight School information page!
  
  
• How can I keep flying once I get my private pilot certificate? Do you have a Flying Club?
  You can rent planes from AV-ED, and/or you can join our Flight Club once you have your Private Pilot Certificate. Members of the Flight Club enjoy discounts on aircraft rental and pilot services, and can take designated aircraft on weekend cross-country trips. The Flight Club also makes it easy for you to keep working on additional FAA certificates and ratings.

Rentals

• Does AV-ED Flight School rent airplanes?
  Yes! AV-ED has a full range of aircraft available for rental. The Cessna fleet includes the C172P, C172R, C172SP. Piper aircraft include the Warrior II, Archer, Arrow III, Diamond Star (DA40), Diamond DA20-C1 Eclipse, Dakota, Seminole. In addition to aircraft, we have excellent simulators: the ATC-710, and a state-of-the-art Frasca 142.
  
  
• What do I have to do to rent planes from AV-ED?
  The basic requirements are simple. The standard checkout includes a “renter pilot exam” and an aircraft checkout. The renter pilot exam, reviewed by an AV-ED flight instructor, is an open book test using the Approved Flight Manual. The aircraft checkout takes approximately one hour with an AV-ED instructor. In addition to takeoffs, landings, and airwork, the aircraft checkout includes orientation with the local flying area, Washington tri-area Class B airspace, and SFRA procedures.
  
  For safety reasons, there are additional experience and checkout requirements for the high-performance and complex aircraft. See our Checkout Requirements page for details.
  
  We will also ask you to sign an AV-ED rental agreement, and make copies of your pilot and medical certificates.
  
  Once the checkout is completed, we will enter your name and qualifications into our computer database, which enables us to dispatch the aircraft to you.
  
  
• How do I schedule an aircraft rental?
  Simple. Just call AV-ED during our normal business hours — 8am to 5pm, 7 days a week — and ask the AV-ED operations manager on duty to put you on the schedule. Because we have so many aircraft, availability is usually not a problem. But you might want to book a week or so in advance, especially if you want to take an AV-ED aircraft on a weekend or for a period of several days.
  
  
• Will AV-ED let me take a plane for several days?
  Yes. Some of our airplanes are designated as “cross-country” aircraft and thus available for trips of several days. If you do not have an instrument rating, cross-country flights are restricted to a radius of 200 nautical miles from the Leesburg Executive Airport without specific approval from the Chief Flight Instructor.
  
  For safety reasons, we require that renter pilots file a VFR or IFR flight plan for cross-country flights, and leave a copy of the filed flight plan with the AV-ED operations manager who dispatches the airplane. We also require that an AV-ED instructor review cross-country flight plans for renter pilots with less than 200 hours.
  
  
• Is there a minimum charge for taking an AV-ED plane for several days?
  Yes. Total charges will be for total flying time (as measured by the Hobbs meter) or from the minimum hours per day times elapsed days, whichever is greater. Full details of the minimum charge are spelled out in the AV-ED aircraft rental agreement. The standard charge is two hours for the first half day, or portion thereof; and one hour for each half day , or portion thereof, after the first half day. Half days begin at 12 midnight and at 12 noon.
  
  
• What are AV-ED’s currency requirements?
  AV-ED takes flight safety very seriously. In order to dispatch an aircraft, the standard currency requirement is for three takeoffs and landings in the last 60 days, in an aircraft of the same category and class as the aircraft to be rented. You do not have to have made the three takeoffs and landings in an AV-ED plane, but if you have not flown with us in the previous 60 days, we will ask to see logbook evidence of the required takeoffs and landings before we can dispatch the aircraft to you.
  
  Again for safety reasons, there are additional currency requirements for high performance and complex aircraft, and for the dispatch of an aircraft under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
  
  
• What about insurance?
  AV-ED’s policy extends limited coverage to the renter; however, AV-ED strongly encourages its rental customers to have non-ownership aircraft liability coverage. The rental agreement stipulates that in the event of damage, the renter is responsible for paying the deductible under AV-ED’s aircraft liability and hull insurance policy. Please ask to see the AV-ED aircraft rental agreement for additional information on this topic.