A Practical Guide to Earning Your Wings,
-or-
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Flying, But Were Afraid to Ask"

Who Can Learn?
Surprisingly, almost ANYONE can learn to fly! Men and women, young and old, from all walks of life, have mastered the secrets of flight. All you need is good overall health, motivation, and a personal commitment to learning the skills you need to fly!

Does My Age Matter?
You must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a Student Pilot license, and 17 years old for the Private Pilot license. Other than that, as long as you can reach the controls, and can pass a general flight physical once every two years, YOU can learn to fly and earn your wings! You can start learning to fly before you are 16, you just can't solo until you are 16.

Isn't Flying Difficult?
Difficult, no. Challenging, rewarding, exhilarating -- ABSOLUTELY!

How Safe Is It?
Consistently, general aviation ranks as one of the safest modes of transportation available -- safer, in fact, than being in your car! Flying, as a hobby, is typically as safe as another popular pastime -- recreational boating!

How Much Will It Cost?
The complete cost of your training is subject to a lot of different variables. The average cost of flight training in the US is between $5,000-7,000. It can be broken down into different categories: Aircraft Rental, Instructor Time, and Supplies. In addition, you will need to pay for a physical examination to obtain your Medical Certificate/Student Pilot License, and you will pay fees for taking your written and practical examinations.

The cost of aircraft rental varies depending on the type of aircraft you are training in (see Aircraft Rates), and how many hours you need to train in that aircraft, which varies from one student pilot to the next. The minimum number of hours required by the FAA for the Private Pilot certificate is 40 hours. The average number of hours, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is 40 to 60 hours.

The cost of primary flight instruction is $39.00 per hour at CP Aviation. Instruction takes place both in flight, and on the ground in our classroom area. The FAA requires a minimum number of hours of dual flight instruction, and some hours of ground instruction.

Materials you will need to purchase include sectional aeronautical charts, books, and an E6B and plotter for making flight plans. Headsets are available for rent at CP, or you may wish to purchase your own. As a Cessna Pilot Center, we are able to offer Computer Based Instruction Kits which include many of the things you will need for your training. By reviewing the lessons on CDs included in the Cessna Pilot Center kits you can teach yourself a lot of what you need to learn to become a pilot.

Are Scholarships Available?
Yes, there are scholarships available. Check our Links, and do an internet search on flight training scholarships.

Must I Own An Airplane?
No! Unless you fly a lot, it's more cost effective to rent airplanes from a flight school. Renting an airplane is similar to renting a car, without the hassle!

Who Will Be Teaching Me?
Specially trained pilots, designated as Certified Flight Instructors by the Federal Aviation Administration, will teach you how to fly. As a group, CP Aviation's instructors have accumulated many thousands of hours of flight experience. They are noted for the sincere and individual attention they give each and every student!

When Will I Fly the Plane?
You'll be manipulating the controls on your very first lesson! From there, you'll train for your first solo flight, which usually occurs after 15 hours of flight time with your instructor!

How Long Does It Take?
Each level of training requires a specified minimum number of flight hours. How long it takes to accumulate the necessary flight experience depends on the individual, airplane availability, and the weather. For example, most pilots attain their license after about 40-60 hours of flight time. Flying an hour a day, it would take about two months! If you flew an hour a week, it would take about a year.

How Can I Use My License?
Pilots can survey the county from above, take friends on scenic rides, shoot take-offs and landings at the airport, and have a lot of fun in the air! Private Pilots can also fly cross country to airports more than 50 miles away. Join other pilots as they fly to different airports for Sunday brunch!

How Do I Begin?
Sign up for an introductory flight lesson! Explore the pure freedom flight has to offer. Call and talk to an instructor today -- you won't regret it!

Why CP Aviation?
CP Aviation is renowned the world over for its friendly atmosphere and quality instruction. We're located at the Santa Paula Airport and Oxnard Airport, which have some of the best flying weather in the area.

As a private, non-towered airport, Santa Paula Airport's smaller airport environment enables you to spend less time taxiing and in the run-up area, and more time in the air! Santa Paula Airport is also famous for its charm, and rich in aviation history. You may have seen this airport used as a backdrop in several Hollywood and TV movies, plus TV commercials and magazine ads.

Oxnard Airport is a tower controlled airport located about a mile and a half from the Pacific Ocean. It is used primarily by general aviation aircraft, with a few commuter flights each day, and generally less air traffic than Camarillo Airport. It is a good place to do instrument training from.

Although known by different names over the years, a steady stream of student pilots has been passing through our flight school's doors since the late 1930's!

Stop in and see us. Talk to our instructors. Come experience the thrill and the beauty of flight! Call to schedule your demonstration flight today (805) 525-2138, or (805) 382-8482.