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Instruction and Testing
Here are some questions most prospective pilots ask:
Why Ocean Air?
What does it cost to learn to fly?
What are the requirements to obtain my pilot's license?
What airplane will I learn in?
How do I get started?
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| Why Ocean Air? | back to top |
Ocean Air is the premier full service FBO at the Watsonville Municipal
Airport. Our flight school is known for our well maintained aircraft
and our team of dedicated Certified Flight Instructors. We are
professional and thorough. Our goal is to make you a safe and
knowledgeable private pilot by teaching you the skills that you can
enjoy and build on for the rest of your life. You'll learn all the
required rules and maneuvers of course, but when you have obtained your
license through Ocean Air, you will have a "feel" for flying shared by
only the cream of the pilot crop. You'll be as comfortable piloting an
aircraft as you are driving a car.
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| What does it cost to learn to fly? | back to top |
Some of the costs of obtaining your private pilot certificate will be the same
at any school; an FAA medical exam, books and supplies, written test fee, and
the practical examiner's fee. These items will total approximately $650. The
biggest variables between schools are the cost of renting the training
aircraft, and the actual instruction cost. At a minimum, the FAA requires 20
hours of dual instruction and 40 hours of flight time. Although some students
do obtain their certificate in the minimum amount of time, the average is 50-60
hours.
One of ocean air's objectives is to keep the cost of obtaining your
certificate as reasonable as possible. We want to graduate
enthusiastic, well-trained, new pilots. We feel that getting you
started will pay benefits for both of us. We'll get a new customer for
our other aviation products and services, and you'll have a skill that
you'll enjoy for the rest of your life.
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| What are the requirements to obtain my pilot's license? | back to top |
You must be at least 17 years of age to be eligible for your private
pilot certificate. You can begin flight training before your 17th
birthday, however.
You need to obtain an FAA medical certificate from an FAA approved
doctor. We know the approved doctors in this area and will provide you
with their names.
You must be able to read and understand the English language. English
is the language of flight communications around the world.
You will need at least 40 hours flying the aircraft. At least 20 hours
must be with a Certified Flight Instructor, and a least 10 hours must be
solo flight time including a cross country flight of 150 nautical miles
or more.
You will need to pass an examination consisting of multiple choice
questions on various aviation topics including navigation, weather,
communications, and airplane systems. You'll take this test after
extensive dual and ground instruction and after studying the appropriate
reference books. The questions won't be difficult when you and your
instructor agree that you're ready to take the test. You'll take the
test at Ocean Air's on site LaserGrade facility.
You must successfully pass a practical test flying your aircraft with an
FAA examiner. This is the "final exam". You will practice the
specific tasks and maneuvers for this test until you and your flight
instructor are comfortable that you will be completely successful.
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| What airplane will I learn in? | back to top |
Ocean Air has a variety of aircraft, including tailwheel, tricycle gear, complex (retractable), and multi-engine for every phase of your flight training. For details and photos, please visit our aircraft fleet page.
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| How do I get started? | back to top |
This is the easy part. Just come on in or give us a call. We'll match
you up with one of our Certified Flight Instructors and show you the
various aircraft available for training. After a brief orientation,
you'll climb into the pilot's seat of the aircraft of your choice for an
introductory flight. During your very first flight, you will do most of
the flying under the guidance of your CFI. From then on, it's just a
matter of scheduling your next lesson. Once your training is underway,
we'll get you set up with the necessary books and supplies from our
Pilot Shop and help you schedule that flight physical. You're on your
way to becoming a private pilot!
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