Frequently Asked Questions
What is Racine Sports Flyers all about?
We are a group of people interested in promoting aviation.
Is Racine Sport Flyers a club?
No, there is nothing to join and no dues to pay. You can rent our planes and take our instructions with no other obligations.
What is a Discovery Flight?
A discovery Flight, also commonly known as an intro flight, is your opportunity to try flying first hand. You will sit in the pilot's seat and take the flight controls as your instructor guides you through various flight maneuvers. It is the perfect first step to learning more about becoming a pilot. We also answer all the questions you might have about becoming a pilot. Discovery Flights also make great gifts. Don't forget your camera.
How old do I need to be to start flight training?
There is no minimum age to start flight training, but you cannot fly an airplane by yourself until you are 16 years old and must be at least 17 before you can take the final test to get your pilot's licence
Do I need to have 20/20 vision for general aviation flying?
No, you do not have to have 20/20 vision for general aviation flying. In general, for a third class medical certificate they must be correctable (with glasses or contact lenses) to 20/40 or better in each eye separately.
What do I need to start flight training?
Starting flight training is quite simple. You will need to complete a renters agreement and a pilot information sheet. When coming for your first lesson, you will bring both of these documents and a U.S. drivers license along with proof of citizenship. A passport or birth certificate will work for that.
We also suggest you purchase a pilot logbook as it is a concise way of keeping track of your flight training. Other supplies will be needed as you progress, but this is all you need to get your flight training started.
What is the difference between a Sport Pilot and a Private Pilot?
A sport pilot has limitations placed upon their pilot's certificate that limits the type of aircraft and flight operations they may conduct. They are also required to have a valid U.S. drivers license. Furthermore, Sport Pilot's do not need a medical certificate with some exceptions, and the minimum required flight training hours are less than a Private Pilot. A Private Pilot has no such limitations on their Pilot's Certificate, but also has a higher minimum flight training requirement, and requires at least a 3rd class medical certificate. Core flight training concepts are identical for both Sport and Private Pilot certificates.
Do I need to complete ground school before I start training?
No, you can start flight training right away! But, you must have completed the required ground training and taken the Knowledge test before you can take the final flight test to get a pilot's license.
What are my ground school options?
What is the Knowledge Test?
The Knowledge test, also known as the written test, is a multiple choice test covering various aeronautical and piloting subjects. The goal of ground school is to help you learn the important aeronautical knowledge you will need to be a pilot and to pass the knowledge test. You must have passed the Knowledge test before you can take your final flight test, also known as the Checkride.
What is the practical test?
The practical test, also known as the Checkride, is your final flight test before you can earn a pilot's license (or additional pilot certificates and ratings). It is taken with a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and consists of two main parts: a dedicated one‐on‐one questioning period by the DPE known commonly as the oral and the flight portion covering flight maneuvers. Both the oral and flight portions must be successfully passed to earn a pilot's certificate.
What is a Student Pilot certificate?
A Student Pilot certificate formally designates you as a student pilot and is required before either a sport pilot student or private pilot student can fly an airplane by themselves. You must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a student pilot certificate and it is valid for 24 calendar months from the month it was issued.
Do I need a student pilot certificate before I start flight training?
No, you don't need a Student Pilot certificate before starting training but you will need it before you will be able to fly solo.
Do I need a medical certificate before I can start flight training?
No, you can start flight training right away! Students seeking a Private Pilot's certificate you will need a medical certificate before you can fly solo and students seeking Sport Pilot's certificate will need a U.S. drivers license before you can fly solo.
We are a group of people interested in promoting aviation.
Is Racine Sport Flyers a club?
No, there is nothing to join and no dues to pay. You can rent our planes and take our instructions with no other obligations.
What is a Discovery Flight?
A discovery Flight, also commonly known as an intro flight, is your opportunity to try flying first hand. You will sit in the pilot's seat and take the flight controls as your instructor guides you through various flight maneuvers. It is the perfect first step to learning more about becoming a pilot. We also answer all the questions you might have about becoming a pilot. Discovery Flights also make great gifts. Don't forget your camera.
How old do I need to be to start flight training?
There is no minimum age to start flight training, but you cannot fly an airplane by yourself until you are 16 years old and must be at least 17 before you can take the final test to get your pilot's licence
Do I need to have 20/20 vision for general aviation flying?
No, you do not have to have 20/20 vision for general aviation flying. In general, for a third class medical certificate they must be correctable (with glasses or contact lenses) to 20/40 or better in each eye separately.
What do I need to start flight training?
Starting flight training is quite simple. You will need to complete a renters agreement and a pilot information sheet. When coming for your first lesson, you will bring both of these documents and a U.S. drivers license along with proof of citizenship. A passport or birth certificate will work for that.
We also suggest you purchase a pilot logbook as it is a concise way of keeping track of your flight training. Other supplies will be needed as you progress, but this is all you need to get your flight training started.
What is the difference between a Sport Pilot and a Private Pilot?
A sport pilot has limitations placed upon their pilot's certificate that limits the type of aircraft and flight operations they may conduct. They are also required to have a valid U.S. drivers license. Furthermore, Sport Pilot's do not need a medical certificate with some exceptions, and the minimum required flight training hours are less than a Private Pilot. A Private Pilot has no such limitations on their Pilot's Certificate, but also has a higher minimum flight training requirement, and requires at least a 3rd class medical certificate. Core flight training concepts are identical for both Sport and Private Pilot certificates.
Do I need to complete ground school before I start training?
No, you can start flight training right away! But, you must have completed the required ground training and taken the Knowledge test before you can take the final flight test to get a pilot's license.
What are my ground school options?
- One‐on‐One with your flight instructor
- Formal class at a college
- Home study course
What is the Knowledge Test?
The Knowledge test, also known as the written test, is a multiple choice test covering various aeronautical and piloting subjects. The goal of ground school is to help you learn the important aeronautical knowledge you will need to be a pilot and to pass the knowledge test. You must have passed the Knowledge test before you can take your final flight test, also known as the Checkride.
What is the practical test?
The practical test, also known as the Checkride, is your final flight test before you can earn a pilot's license (or additional pilot certificates and ratings). It is taken with a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and consists of two main parts: a dedicated one‐on‐one questioning period by the DPE known commonly as the oral and the flight portion covering flight maneuvers. Both the oral and flight portions must be successfully passed to earn a pilot's certificate.
What is a Student Pilot certificate?
A Student Pilot certificate formally designates you as a student pilot and is required before either a sport pilot student or private pilot student can fly an airplane by themselves. You must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a student pilot certificate and it is valid for 24 calendar months from the month it was issued.
Do I need a student pilot certificate before I start flight training?
No, you don't need a Student Pilot certificate before starting training but you will need it before you will be able to fly solo.
Do I need a medical certificate before I can start flight training?
No, you can start flight training right away! Students seeking a Private Pilot's certificate you will need a medical certificate before you can fly solo and students seeking Sport Pilot's certificate will need a U.S. drivers license before you can fly solo.
