Common Flight Training Questions

Call Progress Flight Academy,  386 279 4401 arrange a meeting with one of our experienced flight instructors. When you come in for your first lesson, you and your instructor will plan a course of action that will help you meet your goals.

Yes, you can. We do offer an introduction flight. Time will be spent with your instructor before the flight learning the very basics of the flight controls. Then you will begin the flight portion of your lesson where YOU will get to fly the helicopter with the help of your instructor. Please call us for a quote on introductory flights: 386 279 4401

Start with the helicopter. The ingrained reactions of an airplane pilot can compromise your safety when flying a helicopter. Basically, people tend to revert back to their initial training in an emergency. These emergency airplane reactions can compromise your helicopter safety.

Not in the least bit. You can learn to fly a helicopter. It will just take a little extra effort from you and your instructor to break your airplane habits, but before you know it you will be a safe helicopter pilot.

You can start at any age. You just will not be able to fly the helicopter alone, or "solo" as they say, until 16 years of age. You may not be old enough to get your license, but you and an instructor can still do all the dual flight instruction you want.

A student pilot’s certificate can be issued at age 16, allowing you to fly the aircraft “solo” without an instructor. Meanwhile, you can continue training towards a private pilot certificate. At age 17 you are eligible for a private pilot certificate.

First you will have to achieve your private pilot rating. Then you will need to do additional ground & flight instruction for your instrument and commercial certificates. Your instrument rating teaches you how to fly “in the clouds”; by sole reference of the cockpit instruments. Your commercial rating will allow you to fly for compensation. Starting from zero pilot experience to earning your commercial rating can be accomplished in as little as 4 months (if you fly 10 hrs. per week).

The most probable step is to become a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). Almost all non-military trained pilots were instructors at one point. CFI jobs are abundant all over the country, and they allow you to build time and experience while getting paid.

It depends on the medical issue and your goal (private, commercial, etc.), but it may not be a problem. Talk to your instructor; be up front. They will know where to find the answer.

Also, you will be required to get a medical checkout from an FAA certified aviation doctor. A current medical is required for solo flight during training. We encourage you to schedule a medical early on in your training. Your instructor will help set you up with a flight doctor for a medical checkout.

Yes, you can. You will just have to register with homeland security. You can click the link on the top of this page, or go to https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/index.html, create a new student account and fill out the required paperwork. The process includes a TSA background check and fingerprinting. It usually takes 2-4 weeks to get TSA clearance for your training. Be sure to request training from “Progress Flight Academy.”. If you put another flight school by mistake, you will have to submit an entirely new application.

Yes and no. The FAA does not prohibit landings anywhere, but most cities have an ordinance allowing a helicopter to land only in commercially zoned areas, with permission of the owner; designated airports; and heliports.

Other considerations also come into account, such as the suitability of the area for take off and landing, as well as the possibility of disturbing others with noise. During your training you will learn more about what you can and cannot do.

You will need to bring a passport or U.S. birth certificate along with a photo ID. Everything else will be provided for you.

The R22 has a maximum seat weight of 240 lbs. If you are under that weight, you are okay to start training. If you weigh more than 240 lbs, you will have to fly in the larger R44. The R44 has a maximum seat weight of 300 lbs.

Any kind of flight has its dangers, but helicopters can autorotate should there be an engine failure. This makes the aircraft very safe and they are also extremely reliable.

An airplane is usually easier to fly. An airplane almost flies itself, while the helicopter requires constant pilot input. It is the constant manipulation of all flight controls that makes flying a helicopter so challenging and fun!

There are many jobs for helicopter pilots. There are the jobs we all are familiar with, such as air ambulance/EMS, scenic tours, electronic news gathering (TV helicopters), flight instruction, and corporate work. Other jobs you may never have thought off: flying off shore to oil rigs, logging, pipeline patrol, aerial photography, and land surveying; to name a few.

Yes! Helicopters tend to fly noticeably smoother than an airplane in turbulent windy conditions.

Click here to learn more about the TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).