Q&A for How to Fly an Airplane

In the US, you can get your student pilot's certificate and solo at 16, but your instructor may let you start learning sooner. Ask an instructor at your local airport.

You don't have to have natural 20/20 vision, as long as you can correct it to 20/20 with glasses or contacts.

The average student requires about 50 hours to complete the course. You should fly as often as you can so you don't forget required details. If you flew 10 to 12 hours a month, it would take about four to five months to complete pilot training.

A gasoline engine requires a given fuel to air mixture to run efficiently. On the ground, where there is the most air, it requires the most fuel. At higher altitude, since there is less air, it requires the least fuel. The pilot sets that mixture by adjusting the fuel mixture knob so the engine runs the best. The other use of the fuel mixture is when you want to turn the engine off, by pulling the knob all the way back.

The U.S. FAA requires you to be 17 to become a private pilot and 18 to become a commercial pilot, but they allow you to hold a recreational pilot's license at 16. Once you have your commercial pilot's license, you can go on and get your ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate, which is required to fly a Boeing [Is that right?]. Some professional flight schools have their own rules, but the ATP School prefers that a student has at least 2 years of college before starting their training, so you'd generally qualify for that part of the training around 22 years old.

That depends on the type of aircraft you're in. If you have 300 passengers, you might want to let your co-pilot fly while you eat. If you're in your own small aircraft, and not in a thunderstorm, you can eat a small snack.

As long as you get the minimum flight hours (40 to 50 hours), pass the written exam and the FAA flight test, and pass a medical exam, you can get your pilot's license. The license is good for life, but you have to pass a flight test every two years and renew the medical exam every two years for the third class pilot's license. There are no license fees. To get a job as an airline pilot you may have to get extra training at a professional flight school to get your ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) license.

There are schools that offer scholarships. Try your local junior college. Many training schools also give student loans and some offer a rebate program.

No. It's illegal to fly with any known medical disability.

Pilots do not fly into harsh weather conditions or thunderstorms. They fly around it, or over it (If the airplane can fly that high). Otherwise, they just don't fly there until the storm passes.

Most of our flying articles are using a Cessna 172 for flight training.

The average student requires about 50 hours to complete the course. You should fly as often as you can so you don't forget required details. If you flew 10 to 12 hours a month, it would take about four to five months to complete pilot training.

Most aircraft fly in the troposphere, which is from ground up to 20 km (12.5 miles). Above that is the stratosphere (20 to 50 km), which is too high for most aircraft.

The rudder pedals, which are on the floor, and operated by your feet, have two functions. In flight, the rudder pedals will help make a coordinated left or right turn, in conjunction with the yoke (steering wheel). On the ground, the rudder pedals serve as brakes, when pressed on the upper half with your feet. When you press both rudder pedals at the same time, this will stop the aircraft's motion. You can also press these pedals separately, left or right to help in a tight turn on the ground by stopping just one of the wheels.

Near the ground, it can be caused by ground temperatures. For example, on a sunny day, a highway, or parking lot will cause an updraft, but small pool, lake or river will cause a downdraft. Sometimes a strong wind will cause turbulence due to buildings and hills in the airport area.

If you want to be an airline pilot, most professional pilot training schools recommend that you have a little college first. You can start your training,then, from about age 22, but 30 is not too old. There is a mandatory retirement age of 65, so you can judge from these factors if it would be worthwhile to you.

The nearest civilian airport is the best to start with. If you don't live near an airport, try local colleges or on-line pilot training schools.

You have to be 22 to fly a Boeing, but you can fly other planes at 16 (in the US).

Mayday is a distress radio call that anyone can make when in an emergency; in a boat or aircraft, or any type of emergency. That word is recognized by all countries.

They don't allow visits to the cockpit anymore, for safety and security reasons. If you want to fly an airline, just start your free training at the FAA pilot training school.

Only Cirrus Aircraft have a parachute for the aircraft. Most General Aircraft have no parachutes, as they believe that it's safer to stay in the airplane.

Once you reach that phase of flying, your instructor will show you all the requirements for that.

There is now an FAA ruling that "all pilots will know all conditions about their flight." This would include the aircraft condition, weather, fuel required, and other aircraft near you, just to mention a few.

Try talking to a flight instructor at your local airport to see what the instructor recommends.

When you get started in your Boeing 777 training, that will be included in the training.

In Australia, you have to be 17 to get a private pilot's license, and 16 to get a recreational pilot's license.

In the US, you can get your student pilot's certificate and solo at 16, but your instructor may let you start learning sooner. Ask an instructor at your local airport. You could also study for the written exam and this will prepare you for the flight training.

In the US, you can get your student pilot's certificate and solo at 16, but your instructor may let you start learning sooner. Ask an instructor at your local airport.

Yes, I have heard of other pilots doing that. Try talking to a flight instructor at your local airport, or an FAA certified doctor in your area.

Try our article "Fly a Cessna". It has more in regards to flying requirements.