Learning to Fly

Learning to fly is a fun and exciting process. At this time BEFC-STL does not offer primary flight training (also known as earning your pilot’s license) and only accepts members with a private pilot license or higher rating. While the club did offer limited flight training in the past, it no longer makes sense at this time and flight schools provide a better experience for student pilots. We encourage students to consider attending our club meetings to meet current members, ask questions and get advice and meet others interested in flying. We encourage prospective student pilots to reach out to one or more of the local flight schools listed below to find the right fit for their training. Many flight schools offer a discovery flight which is a short flight with an instructor for those who have never been up in a general aviation aircraft or who are considering flight training.

For more information on ground schools, click here. Several club members are also certified ground instructors who may offer classes from time to time or be willing to provide one on one ground instruction if needed.

St. Louis Area Flight Schools

What You Need to Know About Earning Your License

Earning a pilot’s license requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time although most people require additional hours. In addition to flight time, there is a required knowledge test and medical examination.

There are several tips we can offer based on BEFC member experience and instructor feedback to help make your flight training go smoothly. First, make sure you have the time and money set aside for flying. The cost varies depending on flight school, aircraft type rented, fuel prices, etc but is generally around $10,000 or more. Having a financial plan in place ahead of time reduces the chance money runs out part way through. Likewise, you need to set aside time to fly. We recommend having time to fly at least 2 or 3 times a week plus time on the ground to prepare for each flight. Flying regularly increases proficiency and reduces overall training time and cost spent relearning skills. Second, show up prepared to every lesson. Your instructor or flight school should provide you with a curriculum and lesson plans of what is coming up next. If you are not prepared, you will spend time paying the instructor to go over homework instead of flying. Third, show up early. Instructor’s time is valuable and many will bill you if you are late. Arrive early and prepared to start the lesson on time. Finally, find an instructor that is a good fit for you. You should interview instructors to find someone who’s personality, teaching style and schedule is a good fit for you. Also, check with the school and instructor you plan to use. In addition to flying time, you will need some ground instruction. Some schools have a lower introductory price but lack the ground instruction hours needed to master skills. Also be aware of the hours included in any package deal. Most people require more than the 40 hours legally required to master the skills and pass the check ride.

Starting out flying, you do not need to purchase the most expensive headsets and gadgets. For more information on pilot equipment and supplies you will need, click here. Most members today fly using an iPad or similar device with an app for maps and other required documents. Paper maps may still be required as part of learning to fly and may be carried as a backup for when the iPad fails.