“Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will long to return.”— Leonardo da Vinci
Heart-Pounding. Life-Altering. Soul-Reaffirming.
Your outlook on life will be forever changed the first time you take the controls of a Cessna aircraft, flying through the air, far above the ground. And the best place for you to begin your journey of flight is at TakeWING.
We Promise We’ll Teach You How To Be a Safe Pilot
Learning to fly an airplane involves many elements of knowledge and skill, including developing and using your unique personal attributes. It doesn't take exceptional intelligence or skill to learn to fly, but it does take your commitment to each step and loyal instructors who encourage you, understand how you learn (and how you don’t learn), and go beyond average training curriculum to ensure you learn to be a safe pilot.
What sets TakeWING apart from the rest?
TakeWING’s teachers use realistic scenario-based training methods to promote understanding. They have both life experience and years of flight experience. They are on the same journey you are on. They have been where you are going now. And they are willing to show you how to safely navigate the path ahead. You should choose TakeWING because of our philosophy about flying, teaching, learning, loyalty, and safety.
Why Choose TakeWING?
Being a Cessna Pilot Center Assures You of Quality and Safety! Cessna's training system is the first FAA approved scenario-based curriculum for private and sport pilots. This system combines learning judgement and decision-making with traditional skill based training. The Cessna Training System works hand in hand with your actual flight training – allowing you to prepare for your next training flight before you even take off. So you can learn at your own pace. On your own terms. When you learn to fly at TakeWING, a Cessna Pilot Center, you are truly learning from the best. It’s not just that you’ll learn from excellent instructors. You will be learning to fly in the world’s greatest aircraft, Cessna’s forgiving, reliable single engine Skyhawks and coming soon the newest SkyCatcher.
- Cessna Pilot Centers graduate their students an average of 10 hours faster than other flight schools.
- Cessna's integrated (web-based ground school) enhances your learning experience with videos and lesson previews so you can prepared and review for each session.
- All of our instruction is One-On-One and tailored to your schedule.
- Cessna Pilot Centers offer structured, integrated training , so you will know exactly where you are in your training and can monitor your training progression.
- TakeWING does not require an up-front payment for flight training to begin.
- Our structured integrated flight program and on-line scheduling system allows you access to the entire team of highly qualified Flight Instructors.
- Our Team approach and structured training fits YOUR schedule allowing you to complete your training on time.
- You are insured in TakeWING aircraft for rental and student pilot operations (liability and damage).
The Learn to Fly Process . . . Step by Step and FAQs
As with everything in life that is truly worthwhile, training to become a pilot requires a certain investment of time and money. Rest assured. We’ll walk you through the training program step by step. . .
The FirstStep™
Take your first flight by choosing one of TakeWING’s FirstStep™ flight programs. This is your first flight lesson but we don’t make it difficult. And, we won’t push you into more training afterwards. We take the approach that EVERYONE should have the opportunity to be a “pilot” for a day! So, even if you never intend to take another flight lesson, our FirstStep™ lesson is a remarkable achievement (and makes a great gift)! But if you do like it (and we think you will) this lesson will be logged in your pilot logbook and we’ll help you take the next step.
Make Your First Solo Flight
Remember the Heart-pounding. Life-altering. Soul-reaffirming part. Solo is one of those moments - one never to be forgotten! Once you’ve reached a certain point in lessons and flight training, and your instructor feels you are ready, you will take your first solo flight.
Take Your FAA Knowledge Exam
Thanks to both Cessna’s computer-based instruction curriculum and ground training sessions with your TakeWING instructor, you’ve been learning as you go. Now you’ll put all this knowledge to use to complete the FAA pilot knowledge exam.
Navigating and Fine-tuning Your Skills
After solo it’s time to take to the airways and go to more places than just the nearby airports you’ve come to know. You also fine-tune your basic flight skills with more solo practice. During this time, you will gain further experience and confidence with flight planning, weather interpretation, communications with air traffic control, and aeronautical decision making as you expand upon everything you learned prior to your first solo flight. Typically, sport pilots end up flying between 25 and 35 hours to complete training and private pilots between 50 and 70 hours (about half of that is solo).
Take Your Check Ride.
When your instructor decides you’re ready, you’ll meet with an FAA-designated examiner for a check ride (this is both an oral and flight exam). Don’t worry, your extensive flight and ground training will fully prepare you to ace your check ride and earn your pilot’s certificate.
Begin The Journey — The Sky Is Calling, Come On Up!
MORE FAQ's
- The Age Factor — How old is too old and how young is too young?
- Medical Certificate Requirements — When do I need a medical certificate?
- Student Pilot's Certificate Requirements
The Age Factor — How old is too old and how young is too young?
The FAA says you must be at least 16 years old to solo and 17 to get your license (the FAA calls it a pilot certificate). Many, many women and men begin learning to fly when they are much older — in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. That’s when the kids are gone (or almost), and they finally have the time and the money to do something for themselves!
We suggest an age of 14 or 15 years to begin flight training, although we encourage kids as young as 7 to take our KidFlight™, a specialized flight experience just for young people.
Medical certificate requirements; when do I need a medical certificate?
You don’t need a medical certificate If you are going to pilot a balloon, glider, or Light Sport aircraft. All you need is a driver’s license (unless you have had an FAA medical suspended or rejected).
You need a medical certificate before flying solo in any other airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. We suggest you get your medical certificate before beginning flight training. This will alert you to any condition that would prevent you from becoming a pilot before you pay for lessons.
If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.
Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners?
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/
I wear GLASSES; can I still learn to fly?
Yes. It sounds silly but that old myth that pilots can’t wear glasses or contact lenses is one of the most common misconceptions we still hear. If your vision is correctable with glasses or contacts you should have no problem.
If I have a physical disability, can I get a medical certificate?
Yes. Medical certificates can be issued in many cases where physical disabilities are involved. Depending on the nature of the disability, you may have some operating limitations. If you have any questions, contact an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner before beginning flight training.
Student Pilot's Certificate Requirements
When do I need a student pilot's certificate?
Before you can fly solo. But you don't need a student pilot's certificate to start flying lessons.
Am I eligible for a student pilot's certificate?
You are eligible if:
You are at least 16 years old. If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you must be at least 14 years old. You can read, speak, and understand English
AND
You hold at least a current third-class medical certificate. UNLESS If you plan to pilot a Light Sport aircraft, glider or balloon, then you only have to have a driver’s license or government-issued photo ID.
How do I get a student pilot's certificate?
Upon your request, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner will issue you a combined medical certificate and student pilot certificate after you complete your physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office. Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner.
