Learn to fly today

The private pilot license is the first and biggest step in your aviation journey.

Step 1: Get Behind the Yoke

The first step to in everyone’s aviation journey is the one that transitions you from the ground to the sky. Schedule an intro flight and experience the entire flight lesson process. You’ll get into the left seat, take the controls, and get a taste of everything that is involved with the private pilot journey.

Step 2: Join The Club

Become a part of Oakland Flyers or the Flying Particles community and open your gateway to the skies. Joining the club gives you access to all of the clubs well maintained planes, gives you top rate insurance for peace of mind, and welcomes you to a group of friendly aviation enthusiasts. Once you’re in, its time to schedule your first lesson!

Step 3: Begin Ground Study

If you haven’t already, it’s time to crack the books! You’ll be given a ground study guide that will tailor your reading schedule with you're flight schedule. You’ll also be introduced to a few online ground school options that will build your foundational knowledge until you are ready to take the FAA written test. *Another thing to note is that it can be hard to consistently reserve a plane without a week or two advanced booking. Knowing that it can take up to a month to start getting a consistent schedule, use that time to smash out as much ground school as possible.

Suggest: Take your FAA Written early in the process!

Step 4: Develop Basic Control

How do you fly an airplane? This section of training will tell you exactly that. All the controls are revealed as you learn how to fly straight and level, roll into turns, and perform constant speed climbs and descents. Not only will the simplicity of these early exercises make you more comfortable in the sky, they’ll reveal just how easy basic control really is.

Step 5: Flight Maneuvers

Now that you’ve mastered the easy stuff, it’s time to dive into the deep end. Matt will walk you through everything you need to know to perform steep banked turns, slow flight, and aerodynamic stalls. All of these maneuvers are on the final test, and Matt will ensure you are comfortable and performing above standard to prepare you for the checkride.

Step 6: Take off and Landings

Take offs are optional, landings are mandatory. By the time you get to this point, you will have already have some tandem experience with take off and landings. Matt will take you into the pattern and help you inch closer and closer to the elusive “perfect landing.” You’ll learn to configure for the perfect stabilized approach and finesse your flare to perfection.

Step 7: Solo Flight

You’re the captain now!

Tests & Certification

FAA Written Test

The FAA written test is the first true test for a student pilot. It will test you on everything from the rules behind aviation medical certificates, how to understand weather and how it could effect your flight, and how to evaluate not only the planes fitness for flight, but your own as well. Its basically a test on everything involved with being a private pilot. Learn More on FAA.gov

Checkride Prep

Take all the skills you learned to date and refine them in preparation for your FAA Checkride! Checkride preparation includes a specifically-design set of lessons and flight training focused on preparing the student for the checkride.

The Checkride

The Test - check out this FAA Guide on what to expect before your private pilot checkride!