Soaring to Success: A Guide to Prepare for Flight School

Step 1: Get Your FAA Medical Certificate Early

Before investing time and money in flight training, confirm you can hold the medical certificate required for your goals. Third Class is sufficient for a Private Pilot Certificate. First Class is required to exercise ATP privileges — if you're pursuing an airline career, get a First Class exam done early.

See an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Find one at medxpress.faa.gov. Disclose everything honestly — most conditions can be worked through, but undisclosed history creates serious legal problems later.

Step 2: Begin Ground Study Before Your First Lesson

Start with these free FAA publications (all available at faa.gov):

• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) — the foundation of all aviation knowledge
• Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH) — how to actually fly the aircraft
• FAR/AIM — regulations and procedures

You don't need to memorize them before lesson one — just begin building familiarity. Students who've read the PHAK fly more efficiently because they already have context for what they experience in the air.

Step 3: Choose the Right School

The two main certification types:

• Part 141 — FAA-approved structured curriculum, stage checks, reduced minimum hour requirements. Best for career-track students who want to progress efficiently.
• Part 61 — more flexible, can be tailored to individual schedules. Works well for recreational pilots or those with irregular availability.

Parrish Aviation at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) offers both. Visit in person, talk to current students, ask about safety record and instructor turnover.

Step 4: Plan Your Finances

Flight training is a significant investment. Budget realistically:

• Private Pilot Certificate: approximately $10,000–$15,000
• Full Career Pilot Program (PPL through CFI): $80,000–$100,000
• Additional costs: written test fees, checkride fees, headset, charts, gear

Parrish Aviation partners with Wurthy Financial for 100% financing options. Ask the admissions team for a full program cost breakdown before committing.

Step 5: Be Honest About Your Time Availability

Full-time students progress dramatically faster than part-time students. A student flying 3+ times per week will reach their private pilot checkride in 3–4 months. A student flying once a week may take a year or more — and often spends more total money due to re-learning between lessons. If you can commit full-time, do it.

Step 6: Assemble Your Basic Gear

• Aviation headset — a quality headset is worth the investment. Lightspeed Zulu or Bose A20 for serious students; Headsets Inc. and David Clark for budget-conscious beginners.
• Logbook — ASA or Jeppesen standard pilot logbook
• Kneeboard — to hold charts and write clearances
• E6B flight computer — mechanical and/or electronic
• Sectional charts — for your local area (or ForeFlight/iPad)