Before you do start pursuing a pilot's license, know that there are certain requirements that you must meet before you can even be considered eligible for a license.
Applicant must hold a current, third class medical certificate.
In the case of a certificate for a balloon or glider, the applicant must simply prove that they have no known medical defect which would hinder or prevent the applicant from safely operating the aircraft.
And now the expenses.
This is probably the part of the process that scares people away the most.
Even when your flight school is willing to cut you a deal, you may wind up paying a minimum of eight thousand dollars, US.
Because of this, plus the price of an airplane, private aviation is often seen as a luxury afforded only to the rich, and certainly, it is much easier an interest to afford when you have more money than you know what to do with.
However, middle or working class people do have some options...
If you're really, really dedicated to flying, and you are open to a major career change, many commercial airlines will offer programs wherein they provide training to promising candidates for professional piloting.
Learning to fly, in most countries, requires about forty hours of experience before you're ready for your license.
Depending on your training schedule, this might only be a few days a week for a month or two, though further training is often involved, and you may be spending up to eighty hours flying before you're ready to test.
There are actually a few different tests you'll be needing to take, including your final exams.
Firstly, you should know that every FAA licensed flight school gives the same standardized tests.
PRE SOLO, PRE AREA SOLO, AND BAK EXAMS.
These three exams are multiple choice tests of about twenty to thirty questions each.
There are no time limits for completion.
The pre solo test is to make sure you're ready to fly solo, and the pre area solo test is to ensure that you're ready to fly solo within the designated training area.
The BAK, or Basic Aeronautical Knowledge exam focuses on the basics of, well, aeronautical knowledge.
This includes general things like aerodynamics, meteorology, and navigation.
All three must be completed before you are allowed to take passengers.
In just about every country with an aviation administration, you will have to pass both a written test and a practical test as your final exams.
These tests will be fairly comprehensive, and will include: • Pre-flight operations • Taxiing and surface operations such as run-ups • Takeoffs and landings • General in flight maneuvers such as climbing and descents • Flying at various speeds, including slow flight • Stalling • Emergency procedures and dealing with technical malfunctions • Approaching a landing while dealing with (simulated) engine malfunctions