Patton Aviation Courses

Read, speak, write and understand English.

Ability to pass an FAA medical examination.

Age 17 or older to obtain certificate (can begin training at any age!)

40 Hours of flight time.

20 Hours of flight training from an authorized instructor.

10 Hours of solo flight.

5 Hours solo cross-country (at least 50 Nautical Miles).

150 NM solo cross-country with three full stops (one 50+ NM leg).

3 Takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop (involving flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

3 Hours of cross-country flight training.

3 Hours of night flight training.

100 NM total distance cross-country flight.

10 Takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (each involving flight in the traffic pattern).

3 Hours of instrument training.

3 Hours in preparation for the practical test within 60 days prior to the test date.

Pass FAA written examination.

Pass FAA check ride.

50 Hours of cross country flight as pilot in command.

40 Hours of actual or simulated instrument time.

15 Hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for which the instrument rating is sought.

3 Hours of preparation instruction within 60 days prior to the practical exam.

IFR 250 NM cross-country flight along airways or ATC-directed routing.

IFR cross country includes an instrument approach at each airport, and three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.

Pass FAA written examination.

Pass FAA check ride.

Hold a Private Pilot Certificate.

While not required, an instrument rating is strongly recommended. Without an instrument rating the commercial pilot privileges are limited.

Must log at least 250 hours of total flight time.

100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.

100 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC) flight time, which includes at least: 50 hours in category sought; 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in category sought.

20 hours of training in the areas of operation required for single-engine that includes at least: 10 hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device including attitude instrument flying, partial panel skills, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, and intercepting and tracking navigational systems. Five hours of the 10 hours required on instrument training must be in a single engine airplane.

10 hours of training in a complex airplane, a turbine-powered airplane, or a technically advanced airplane (TAA).

One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine or multi-engine airplane (as appropriate) in day-VFR condition, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100NM from the original point of departure.

3 hours in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the test.

10 hours of solo flight (sole occupant of the airplane), or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of Pilot-In-Command (PIC) with an authorized instructor, training in the areas of operations required.

One cross-country flight of not less than 300nm total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250NM from the original departure point.

5 hours in night-VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Pass a FAA written pilot knowledge test.

Pass FAA check ride.

The complex endorsement must be added to a certificate and therefore, the candidate must hold at least a private pilot certificate. There are no time requirements associated with a complex endorsement, but the candidate must exhibit complete competence in the operation of a complex aircraft.

The complex endorsement is relatively easy to obtain, yet allows a pilot the ability to fly a wider range of aircraft. A complex aircraft is defined as any aircraft that possesses flaps, retractable landing gear and constant speed propeller. Unlike other certificates and ratings, the complex endorsement is conveyed solely by a Certified Flight Instructor.

Ground lessons are a major component of Instrument flight instructor training. You and your instructor will cover everything  in the Instrument Certified Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards, which essentially requires you to learn how to teach everything included in the Instrument Practical Test Standards. You are not only required to possess a solid understanding of all principles, but you must also be able to teach these principles to students, therefore this training will include curriculum planning.

The flight portion of this training directly relates to everything you discussed in your ground lessons. It usually can ber covered in approximatly 10 hours. You will be required to fly all maneuvers from the right seat within the parameters set forth in the Practical Test Standards. You must also be able to clearly explain how to perform these maneuvers while doing so.