Reference Material

As a private pilot, you can operate aircraft for personal use but cannot be paid to fly.  You can fly the aircraft almost anywhere in the United States below 18,000 feet.  A private pilot license can be obtained with a minimum of 35 flying hours.

As a commercial pilot, you can be paid to fly with certain exceptions.  A commercial pilot’s license can be obtained at 190 flight hours and find employment doing aerial photography, crop dusting, banner towing, or go on to get an instructor's rating.  Once you reach 1500 hours, you can apply for your Airline Transport Pilot License and fly for airline or cargo transport companies eventually making six-figure salaries.

-  17 years of age (16 to solo an airplane)
-  Be able to read, write, and fluently speak English
-  Obtain a third class FAA medical
-  Receive ground training from a flight instructor or complete an online ground course (i.e. sporty’s private pilot)
-  Pass the required knowledge test with a 70% or higher
-  Accumulate at least 35 flight hours
-  Successfully complete an oral and practical test, better known as a check ride, with an FAA examiner or a designated pilot examiner (DPE).

Pilot salaries vary depending on the type of flying the pilot does.  Airline captains typically make between $300,000- $400,0000 a year.

No, you do not have to hold a college degree to become a pilot though it can help you with potential employment prospects.  Savannah Aviation has a partnership with Purdue University Global that grants 45 college credits for private, instrument, commercial single and multi-engine, and certified flight instructor.

A Discovery Flight is a 45-minute to 1-hour flight with a Savannah Aviation instructor.  This allows the prospective student to experience manipulating the controls of an airplane, and decide if flying is for them.

The difference between the two are the requirements for pilot training under the code of federal regulations covering flight operations.  Part 141 instruction utilizes a ground and flight syllabus that has been reviewed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Part 61 instruction can be completed at the discretion of the flight instructor and relies of student self study for the written exam.

It is easy to get started at any time!  We recommend students fly two times a week for a minimum of two hours to get a grasp of basic concepts that are paramount to good flying.

The time it will take a student to obtain their ratings is based on their schedule and proficiency.  It can take as little as two months to obtain a private pilot license and as little as twelve to obtain a commercial license.

Yes, check out our financing page for more information.

Yes!  Savannah Aviation is authorized to accept VA education benefits/GI Bill® education benefits.  However, funding will not cover the private pilot license.