Ready to become a pilot? It's not as hard as you think! The FAA does a good job outlining the process of becoming a pilot in the Student Pilot Guide. Essentially, below are the steps in becoming a pilot:

The FAA requires that pilot candidates pass 3 exams:

• Medical Exam (a flight physical for your medical certificate/student pilot certificate)
• Knowledge Test (computer-based exam)
• Practical Test (the "checkride"...oral exam & flight proficiency exam with an FAA DPE)

A few useful links, especially for student pilots:

• FAA Student Pilot Guide
• Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
• FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Pilots ...this is what you're checkride is graded on!

For those who join the Hokie Flying Club as student pilots, a Club-approved flight instructor (CFI) will outline and detail your curriculum for learning and obtaining the grade of pilot certificate that you're seeking.