Vector Air - Aircraft Inspection, Repair, Flight Training

Vector Air Flight Instruction - Training Overview

Flight schools fall under two categories, or Parts, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Requirements (FARS) under which they operates. Flight schools can be Part 61, Part 141 or both. One distinction between the two parts is the minimum flight time required under each part. Part 61 requires a minimum of 40 hours and Part 141 requires a minimum of 35 hours. The largest distinction between the two parts is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are periodically audited by the FAA and must follow approved course outlines. Part 61 schools can be a bit more flexible in their training, allowing students to rearrange flight lesson content and sequence to better fit the student's needs.

Students from schools under either part must pass the same Practical Flight test and written test, regardless of the part under which they train.

Vector Flight Training is a Part 61 flight school.

Private Pilot Certification

Earning your Private Pilot Certificate is the first step you take in your flying adventure. A Private Pilot certificate is the license the FAA will issue to you that will allow you to fly as pilot-in-command of an aircraft, and carry passengers under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). There are several requirements that must be met in order to earn your Private Pilot Certificate. Use this page as a general guideline. Your Flight Instructor can give you more details.

You must:

Be at least 17 years of age when you finish your training and take the FAA Practical Flight Test
Be able to obtain at least a Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate and Student Pilot License
Log a minimum of 40 hours of flight time
Pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test, known as the written test, with a score of 70% or better
Successfully complete a practical flight test, also know as the check ride, which is given as a "final exam" by an FAA-designated examiner

There are two parts to your training to become a Private Pilot, flight training and ground training. Flight training takes places with your flight instructor in the airplane. You will learn take-offs and landings as well as maneuvers to help you learn to handle the aircraft proficiently. Your flight training prepares you for the Practical Flight Test with an FAA-designated examiner.

Ground instruction is the "book-learning" portion of your training. Some of it will take place with your instructor and some of it will be done on your own. Ground Instruction prepares you to take the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test. You can complete your Ground training using either a computer-based training program, or the good old-fashioned way - with a book.

An Instrument Rating is a rating that is added to your Private Pilot Certificate. This rating allows you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules or IFR conditions. In order to obtain your Instrument Rating, there are several requirements which must be met. Use this page as a general guideline. Your Flight Instructor can give you more details.
You must:

Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
Accumulate at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command to a destination airport of more that 50 nautical miles from the departure airport
Accumulate at least 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time in particular areas of operations
Demonstrate flight proficiency as described in FAR 61.65
Pass the FAA Instrument Knowledge Test with a score of 70% or better
Successfully complete a Practical Flight Test taken with an FAA-designated examiner

The training for your Commercial certificate is similar to that you received during your Private Pilot training. The main difference is the tolerances you must achieve when flying your maneuvers. You will also learn some new maneuvers and will have to demonstrate them to proficiency during your check ride. You will also be expected to demonstrate your proficiency in specialty landings, such as soft and short field landings.

Your main goal before starting the training for your commercial certificate is to build flight time. You must have a total of 250 hours for flight time, 100 of which must be as pilot in command, before you can take the check ride for your commercial certificate.

Another requirement for the Commercial certificate is that the check ride must be taken in a complex aircraft. A complex aircraft is one that has retractable gear, adjustable flaps and a constant-speed propeller.

Becoming a Flight Instructor is a challenging, yet rewarding part of your aviation career. Not only will you be teaching new flight students, but you will be learning new skills along the way as well. The Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) rating allows you to train flight students for their private and commercial certificates. The CFI-Instrument Airplane (CFII) allows you to train flight students for their Instrument Ratings. In order to train for your CFI, you must hold a Commercial Certificate and have an Instrument Rating.

One of the most challenging aspects of flying is landing, and landing in crosswind can be particularly demanding. The Flight Instructors at Vector Flight Training are very aware of this and are adamant that you become proficient in crosswind landings. As a matter of fact, they don't feel as thought their job is complete until you are proficient in crosswind! Whether you are a seasoned pilot or just starting out, our Flight Instructors will work with you until you feel safe and comfortable handling a crosswind.

Today, the majority of aircraft have what is called tricycle landing gear with one nose-wheel tire and two main tires. Many very early aircraft were equipped with a small skid on the tail for landing, hence the moniker "taildraggers". The tailskids made way for a small tailwheel.

You do not need a tailwheel endorsement if you have logged any Pilot in Command (PIC) time in a tailwheel aircraft prior to April 15, 1991. If you have not, and want to fly as PIC in a tailwheel aircraft, you need a one-time logbook endorsement indicating that you have successfully demonstrated proficiency in a tailwheel aircraft, as described in FAR 61.31(i). If you are interested in acrobatics, we have several flight instructors who can answer your questions and get you started.

Flying in the mountains is a beautiful and exciting experience. However, the mountains can be unforgiving. It is essential if you are planning to fly in mountainous areas that you spend some time with a Flight Instructor experienced in mountain flying. Winds in the mountains can be unpredictable and the weather can change in a moment's notice, so you have to be prepared and know how to handle the situations you may find yourself in. A lot of your mountain training will actually take place on the ground. It is important to understand subjects such as:

Density Altitude
Proper leaning techniques
Mountain winds and weather phenomena
High-altitude aircraft performance
Flight planning and enroute navigation
Arrivals and departures at mountain airports
Off-airport landings in the mountains
Emergency preparedness

The Flight Instructors at Vector Flight Training have been flying the mountains for years and have a wealth of information to share with you.