Learning to Fly

Who Will Be Teaching Me?

Bradley Flying Association, while primarily operating as a flying club, has several experienced, certificated flight instructors (CFIs) available. When you join the club in pursuit of flight instruction, you will be matched with an available CFI who will guide you through our onboarding process and your first steps. If you decide at any point that you'd like to work with a different instructor, that option is always available! It's also possible to work with a CFI who is not currently a member of the Bradley Flying Association (some insurance restrictions may apply).

What Will I Learn?

The FAA requires 40 flight hours to become a private pilot; however, that minimum requirement is many years old. Today, the regulations, airspace, airplanes, and equipment are more demanding, and the national average lies between 60 and 80 hours. Flights will consist of local training, cross-country trips, and solo practice. Instruction will be geared towards the three exams required for certification, which are the written, oral, and practical exams. Your instructor will help you select an appropriate home study course to complement your real-world flight experience. Once you are proficient in the required maneuvers and possess the necessary knowledge, you'll demonstrate your skills to an FAA-approved examiner during your checkride. Upon successful completion of that checkride, the examiner will present you with your temporary private pilot certificate. Your permanent plastic certificate (shown below) will arrive a few weeks later.

How Long Will It Take?

The average training time for a private pilot's license is anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on your prior obligations and dedication to training. Vacations/breaks, sports, school, weather, aircraft maintenance, and other commitments can all cause delays in your flight training. Your instructor will work around your schedule to ensure the best possible flight training experience.

What Will It Cost?

For initial certification, the cost of flight training is typically somewhere between $13,000 and $17,000. This includes equipment such as flight training materials, a headset, charts, and any other items your instructor may require. Also covered by this estimate are club rates for flight time (60+ hours).

What Are The Benefits?

Even if you're not interested in an aviation career, flying affords many benefits! Unlocking the freedom to travel around the country with enhanced mobility and straight-line travel is just the beginning. Whether you're just seeking recreational travel or looking for a new challenge to conquer, you will find yourself immersed in a passionate community like no other. With numerous opportunities for continuous learning and enhancing your daily life skills, personal growth is undoubtedly one of the most substantial benefits of learning to fly. 

Is It Safe?

BFA prides itself on having an outstanding safety record, with no accidents in over 40 years! Our aircraft are maintained in-house by Byerly Aviation and undergo rigorous inspections to detect and eliminate any faults before they progress further. Our digital squawk system enables aircraft captains to be notified of any aircraft issues as soon as they are reported. All flight instructors have met the strict FAA guidelines to teach students like you! Dual controls in every airplane allow for instructor intervention should anything go awry on the ground or in-flight. 

Is Insurance Included?

BFA provides $1,000,000 in liability insurance, plus full coverage for our aircraft to all our members. Our member CFIs are also insured. You're in good hands with BFA.