Qualifications

Private pilots come from virtually every walk of life but they share several basic capabilities. First, they have a good work ethic and a willingness to learn. They are also able to perform several tasks simultaneously - pilots have to fly an aircraft using their hands and feet, while reading instruments and charts, watching for other planes, and communicating on a radio. But if you can drive a car with manual transmission, you have the basic physical coordination needed to fly a plane. There is also some math involved, but it's not much more difficult than balancing your checkbook.

Federal Aviation Regulations address the basic eligibility requirements for pilots, and they're pretty basic. Pilots need to be at least seventeen years of age (or as young as sixteen to solo in a training environment). There is no maximum age; and there are even a handful of pilots in the U.S. who are in their nineties! Pilots must also read, speak and write English.

To become a private pilot you will need to pass a physical exam administered by a designated Aviation Medical Examiner. It's really nothing to worry about. The exam is quick and painless.