The primary goal of Michigan Takes Flight is to promote general aviation in the greater Flint area. There is no better way to do this than by giving someone the opportunity to earn their Private Pilots License. This accomplishment is by far the greatest single achievement a budding pilot will ever attain. Although it is the first of many possible steps, the challenges are the greatest:
10-Hours minimum of solo flying
These few items only highlight the commitment necessary as each item presents its own challenges. Please refer to the Michigan Takes Flight “Minimum Costs to Budget for Learning to Fly” document, available online at http://www.michigantakesflight.org/articles/costs-of-flying/.
Launch one students career with The Aviator Challenge: $12,000.
The cost of operating an airplane is, by far, the single most expensive category for one learning to fly. Provide a student with 20-hours supervised flight which includes both the cost of airplane operation as well as a certified flight instructor to ensure mastery of the aircraft is attained.
Help one student safely Get Their Wings in the air with an instructor: $4,900.
Once a student has gained mastery of operating an airplane, their instructor will endorse them for solo flight. The first step in this keystone moment is the First Solo. All of the student training has led to this point: the instructor exists the airplane and the student is now in complete command of the aircraft. From engine-start, taxi to the runway, takeoff and landing. The student is the master of their destiny. This is certainly the one moment all pilots will remember for their entire lives.
Be there when one student is first Leaving the Nest: $1,500.
Before any student can become a pilot, they must pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Exam. This high-stakes exam consists of 60 questions administered within a 2.5 hour limitation. While that might only be 2.5 minutes per question, many of the questions are multi-part with diagrams and necessary references. All aspects of aeronautical information are tested and the student finds him or herself challenged on everything they have learned to date.
To help prepare for this exam, students are required by the FAA to receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course. Oftentimes, students utilize both options in order to gain the necessary understanding.
Make one student Ready for Takeoff: $600.
Along with the obvious requirements of airplanes, instructors, and course materials, a student pilot also needs a "flight bag". This essential component is actually comprised of a collection of items, all of which are costly: Pilot flight bag, aviation headset, flight manual, aviation charts, and kneeboard.
Outfit one student for the flightline: $500.
All of the above items are focused on the success and accomplishments of a single student. If your goal is to support the community then the Community Aviator program is for you. Michigan Takes Flight sponsors many seminars and educational opportunities for the general public through its association with Greater Flint Pilots Association, Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team, Experimental Aircraft Association, local flight instructors, and FAA medical practitioners.
Support the greater Flint community as a Community Aviator at whatever level fits your budget. We truly appreciate any donation and the commitment it affords.