Step-by-Step: How to get started as a Student Pilot
FIRST STEP! Get Your Medical
Starting Online Ground School
Obtaining Aviation References and Study Resources
Applying for a Student Pilot Certificate
Finding and buying a Logbook
Scheduling, Taking, and passing your FAA Written
Getting Your Medical - The First Step Before Starting Flight Training
Register for an account on the FAA’s MedXpress website
Login and submit an application for at least a 3rd class medical certificate. Please note the following:
If you only want to become a Private Pilot apply for a 3rd class certificate, as it is the easiest to get, but is most restrictive as far as privileges beyond those of a private pilot.
If you want to work as a Pilot or ever think you will have the aspiration to work in some capacity as a pilot, apply for a 1st class medical.
Medicals can be very restrictive, so use the following resources to determine your potential to successfully obtain an FAA medical.
Fill out the application with your medical information.
Schedule an appointment to see an Aviation Medical Examiner(AME). Please use the following link to find your local AME.
Save the confirmation code provided to you as you will need to provide that at the doctors office for the AME’s use. You should also receive this code in an email.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Bring any corrective lenses with you
Avoid salty foods and alcohol prior to the appointment
Consider wearing clothing which will reasonably allow the doctor to preform the appointment easily
Contact us if you have any questions, typically this is the most important step so we will help you get it right! No question or concern is a bad one!
Getting setup up with Online Ground School
While not required, online ground school is an excellent way to get a head start on learning before starting your flight training. It is a perfect way to get exposure to most if not all topics needed to both pass your knowledge test and check ride, in addition to the information needed to serve you well in the skies. They are often updated as changes in regulations and knowledge occur and sometimes even grant continued access after you have completed the course. You will also get your FAA Written Knowledge Test Endorsement from many of the program, typically after passing a number of practice tests which they also provide. Over all online gtround schools are a great investment and supplement or addition to in person ground training.
Aviation References, Charts, and Study Resources
With the complexity of flying, the laws and regulation surrounding it, and both the national and international aviation network, us pilots rely on published literature and references to not only learn about aviation but also keep up to date with the newest changes in the aviation sector. For now, we recommend obtaining the literature below as they will be critical resources throughout all of your primary training. It is recommended for some of these item that you own a physical copy and for others an electronic copy will suffice. This recommendation is noted for each with “ P “ for physical copy, “ E ” for electronic copy, or “ B “ for both physical and electronic copies as redundant access.
Aviation References
Federal Aviation Regulations - Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR-AIM) - P
Pilots Handbook of Aviation Knowledge (PHAK) - P
Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH) - P
Airmen Certification Standards (ACS) - B
Aviation Charts
VFR Sectional - P
Chart Supplement - E
Terminal Procedures Publication - E
Aviation Study Resources
ASA Test Prep - P
ASA Oral Exam Guide - P
Popular Aviation Related YouTube channels - E
Other Students and Pilots! - B - Go to the airport or join an online forum!
Obtaining Your Student Pilot Certificate
Create an account on the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) Website
Fill out your digital 8710 form for a Student Pilot Certificate by following the next steps.
Start a New Application
Fill out the required information in the application, not you may be asked to fill out or confirm additional account information prior to proceeding to the application
Submit the application
Send your instructor your FTN number and the application ID, which should be located in the top left of the user menu and middle of page respectively.
Your Instructor will login, review, and sign the application. if their are any correction to be made, they will inform you and send it back to be corrected. Simply correct the mistakes and resubmit.
You will then login, review, and sign
Print your temporary certificate when it becomes available!
Wait for your permanent certificate to come in the mail!
Choosing your First Logbook
The are a ton of options out there but below are a few of the most common logbooks!
Checkout Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Jeppesen, and Gleim to name a few. A quick internet search can provide more options as well!
Consider getting an electronic log book IN ADDITION to your physical logbook. It will serve as a back up and help tally up the total amount of time for various types of hours. it is essential that you input information correctly and consistently to get the full benefit you electronic logbook. Some are free and others require a paid subscription.
Here are a few resources
ASA-SP-30
This was my first log book and served me well from Private Pilot Single Engine through Multi Engine Commercial! I also used it for CFI and CFII, however please note that it does have a limited number of columns. There are no dedicated columns for Rotorcraft, Solo, Dual Given, Single engine Sea, or Multiengine Sea. There are ,however, several blank columns which may be assigned those places.
ASA-SP-30
This was my second logbook. Though I only use it for my helicopter time, it is a great choice for pilots who want a singular logbook for all of their time between various different aircraft and to transition into their professional use with. It has dedicated columns for Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land, and Rotorcraft. There is a singular blank column which can be used for other aircraft Categories/Class. It also contains dedicated “As Flight Instructor” and “Second in Command” columns in addition to the standard dual received and Pilot in Command columns.
Jeppesen Professional Logbook
I own this log book in parallel to my other logbooks. As I finish my flights I fill out my other logbooks to immediately log time and get CFI signatures, however, at home I fill this log book out neatly and professionally to maintain a logbook which is intentionally filled out to have a presentable and high level of professional appearance. This is useful for interviews and your own personal review. It also looks quite nice in comparison. There are several other kinds of Professional or Master logbooks available for purchase online. if you do choose to utilize this log book for interviews, remember to bring your other logbooks as well as they contain the actual authorized training signatures and endorsements.
Scheduling and Taking your FAA Written
You can pay for and schedule a time and location to take your exam at the PSI Exams Website.
Create an Account
Search for the Private Pilot License Exam
Find a location near you and select a time block to take the test
Pay using a Credit or Debit Card
You will receive a confirmation code on the website and in your email
Show up to the test center with the following items:
Government Issued Photo ID
Endorsement to take the Written Test (Provided by instructor or ground school course)
Test centers normally provide the following but bringing them just in case is recommended:
Manual E6B Calculator
Aviation Protractor
Aviation Plotter
Basic Function Calculator (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division)
