Welcome to Benbow Aviation

Benbow Aviation has been putting would-be pilots in contact with highly qualified instructors for over 51 years. Through our flight instruction capabilities you too could be a licensed pilot in a short time. Our licensed instructors are well versed in the requirements and preparation it takes to take the FAA private pilot's license test. Benbow Aviation professionally prepares you for this test, including the 40 hours of required instruction.

What does it take to be a licensed private pilot?

Interested students need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight instruction in order to take the FAA pilot's license test. During the flight instruction student pilots will learn the vast intricacies of operating an aircraft and what will be required for the FAA test. Although only 40 hours of flight instruction is required by the FAA, most students are able to pass qualification tests within 55-75 hours of flight instruction.

What is involved in the flight training?

Flight training will include written examinations based on sample questions from the actual FAA test and hands on aircraft training. Instruction will be broken down into several stages. Students are required to pass each segment before moving on to the next.

Starting off the student will undergo 20 hours of dual instruction where the student flies with an instructor. Most lessons are slated for two hours per day with one hour spent on the ground going over theory and principles and then one hour in air going over the ground instructions. After completion and acquisition of an instructor sign-off in this stage the student pilot moves on to 10 hours of solo flying. The third stage is a combination or dual and/or solo flying. Note within the course three hours of nighttime flying, three hours of simulated instrument flying and three hours of cross-country flying over two separate trips must be completed. (based on 100 nautical miles).