Radu Popovici
Helicopter & Airplane Flight Training
Flight Training
Private Pilot Training
Regardless of whether you train in a helicopter or airplane, in order to earn you Private Pilot certificate you will need to:
For the exact details, please consult the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) part 61, subpart C and E (especially 61.107 and 61.109).
The training is typically done in three phases:
- Be at least 17 years old (16 for student), be proficient in English, and pass a medical exam
- Pass the written FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test
- Receive and log ground and flight instruction, to include:
- 40 hours minimum total flight time (80 hours typical), including: 20 hours of dual instruction received and 10 hours of solo flight
- 3 hours of night flight training
- 3 hours of training to fly solely by reference to the aircraft instruments
- Pass the practical test - oral and flight test with a Designated Pilot Examiner, or an FAA Inspector
For the exact details, please consult the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) part 61, subpart C and E (especially 61.107 and 61.109).
The training is typically done in three phases:
Phase I - Pre-Solo
Phase II - Cross-country training and solo
Phase III - Checkride preparation, solo cross country, and practical test
Phase II - Cross-country training and solo
Phase III - Checkride preparation, solo cross country, and practical test
A phase is complete when you meet all of the requirements of that phase (knowledge, flight training, experience, proficiency), your instructor endorses your logbook as appropriate, and you pass all tasks associated with that phase (known as a phase check).
Note that these are minimum requirements, which were establihed in the early 1950s, when the airspace and avionics were less complex and air traffic less crowded. Those numbers may not be realistic for most student pilots. A more reasonable expectation is in the area of 70 to 90 hours, with a high variance, depending on the frequency of training, location, age and abilities of the student.
Each student has their own rate of progress, their interests, their own individual ways to assimilate new information. My task as an instructor is to provide a safe and positive environment which allows the student to develop their skills at a pace they are comfortable.
Airplane
I teach airplane flying at
West Valley Flying Club, and at
Sundance Flying Club, at Palo Alto Municipal Airport and San Carlos Airport. We'll use a Jeppsen based syllabus, tailored to the individual student.
I can teach in the classical trainer aircraft, Cessna 152, 162, or 172, and Piper PA28-161, PA28-181. Alternatively, the Diamond Star DA-40 is an excellent and modern trainer. You will have access to classical avionics, the so called "six-pack", or the modern G1000 (aka "glass panel").
More advanced training is also available in complex aircraft (Piper Arrow), and high performance aircraft like Cessna 182. West Valley Flying Club has a large and modern fleet of Cessna 182 aircraft, most of them equipped with a G1000 panel.
Helicopter
I teach helicopter flying at Sirius Flying at Palo Alto Municipal Airport. The syllabus is based on the one published by the Robinson factory - the largest manufacturer of small helicopters used in training in the world.
Helicopter
I teach helicopter flying at Sirius Flying at Palo Alto Municipal Airport. The syllabus is based on the one published by the Robinson factory - the largest manufacturer of small helicopters used in training in the world.
Sirius has a fleet of R44 Raven II helicopters, with modern avionics (glass panel), and plenty of power to safely conduct all the required maneuvers.