Become a Pilot | Shasta Pilots Associ

Become a pilot.

If you've dreamed of becoming a pilot, either for fun, to fly for business, or for a career, now is the perfect time to get started.

For those seeking a challenging hobby, flying can be the ideal way to "get away from it all."
If you're thinking that a pilot certificate and an airplane can put you in closer touch with your customers or clients, you're right. Tens of thousands of pilots use their pilot certificates to get to more places faster, close more deals, all without the scheduling and other hassles of the airlines.

Or maybe you want to make flying your career. Due to record numbers of pilot retirements and other factors, virtually all commercial operators are seeking qualified pilots to fill their flight decks.

Whatever your motivation or personal goals, it all starts with quality training.

Questions? Click here.

Private Pilot

Your Private Pilot Certificate will enable you to:

Fly friends and family for fun
Fly to visit clients and customers in your business
Pursue more advanced pilot ratings and certificates

Your training will consist of a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and solo pilot time (most student pilots need 60-70 hrs to gain the needed proficiency). Some of that instruction and solo will involve cross country flights to neighboring airports greater than 50 miles away, as well as operations at night. You'll learn about basic aerodynamics, aircraft control, various navigation methods, operational rules, radio communication, flying in and out of congested airspace and towered/non-towered airports, and much more. The training is challenging but deeply rewarding, and will culminate with you earning your Private Pilot Certificate. This is also the first step in becoming a Commercial Pilot.

For more info or to get started, click here.

Instrument Rating

Your instrument rating is often the next step following the completion of your Private Pilot training. An Instrument Rating will enable you to:

Fly in conditions of reduced visibility, such as clouds, haze, or smoke
File instrument flight plans for simplicity in navigating potential weather or complex airspace
Obtain Special VFR clearances at night
Operate in Class A airspace

Make instrument departures and approaches to allow you to operate more safely in marginal conditions

Your Instrument Rating will require a minimum of 40 hours of instrument time and at least 15 hours of training with a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument. You'll do cross country training, including operations in Class C and, if possible, Class B airspace. You'll shoot dozens of approaches at multiple airports, will learn about several electronic navigation systems, and will gain comfort and proficiency in flight by reference to instruments while operating safely in the National Airspace System.

For more info or to get started, click here.

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Commercial Pilot

If your goal is to get paid to fly, you'll need a Commercial Pilot Certificate. You'll need additional training beyond the Private Pilot Certificate, and must have at least 250 hours of pilot time in your logbook. The Commercial Pilot Certificate enables you to fly for hire, for such jobs as:

Air charter
Airline (requires ATP , for which the airline normally provides required training)
Agricultural spraying
Aerial firefighting
Air ambulance
Banner towing

Your Commercial Pilot training will consist of additional ground instruction as well as competency in performing a series of specialized maneuvers in flight. You'll also get more cross country flight experience, including flight at night, and may also receive additional instrument flight training as part of the course.

At least 10 hours of training must be accomplished in either a complex or Technically Advanced (TAA) Aircraft, but the Practical Test may be conducted in any aircraft suitable for the test.

For more info or to get started, click here.

Certified Flight Instructor

Odds are that your first paid job in aviation will be teaching others to fly. That may sound backward, but that is often case.

The Certified Flight Instructor Certificate is considered by many the most difficult of all the certificates and ratings. The reason is simple: to pass the checkride, you'll need to bring your A Game, and that means having a deep knowledge of all the topics you've covered in your previous training plus the principles and procedures of effective teaching. You must not only know the answer to myriad questions on a broad range of subjects, but must be able to defend your answers by citing official FAA publications and legal interpretations (sorry, Google won't cut it here).

If you're planning to become a CFI, even if you haven't started your pilot training yet, the best advice is to take your studies very seriously. Dig deep, ask your CFI probing questions, demand to understand the "why" as well as the "what." Read every FAA book you can get your hands on, take notes, study, study, then study some more. It will pay off in the end when you become a CFI, which is often the first professional step toward an airline or professional pilot career.
For more info or to get started, click here.