At First Team Pilot Training, you can receive all the necessary training to become a world-class pilot. We offer professional ground instruction and flight instruction in well-equipped Piper Cherokee aircraft based at two airports serving the greater Memphis area. West Memphis Airport (KAWM) close to downtown Memphis and Fayette County Airport (KFYE) in Somerville, TN a short drive from Arlington, Lakeland, Collierville and Germantown TN.
We work with you to customize training plans according to your schedule and needs. We get to know you and understand that your personality, learning style, strengths and weaknesses are unique to you. We teach to the highest standards so you will be a confident and safe pilot, they day of your checkride and beyond.
We offer the following flight training courses for beginners and experienced pilots. There are a few requirements that we’ve listed below and suggested items you can purchase to get started.
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE COURSE
With a Private Pilot license, you can carry passengers day or night, but not in the clouds or for hire.
SPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE COURSE
With a Sport Pilot license, you can carry one passenger, daytime only, and not in the clouds or for hire.
INSTRUMENT PILOT RATING COURSE
With an instrument rating, you can fly in the clouds, opening up many opportunities to fly in less than ideal weather conditions.
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE COURSE
With a commercial license rating, you now have opportunities to make money in aviation.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE COURSE
As a flight instructor, you can take pride in developing the next generation of pilots!
The TSA requires new flight training students to complete a few administrative tasks to ensure the safety of General Aviation and to ensure you have a positive flight training experience. The amount of paperwork depends on whether or not you are a United States Citizen.
U.S. Citizens
To start your flight training, simply provide proof of citizenship – a passport or government-issued ID / birth certificate to our staff for TSA compliance.
International Students
The TSA allows only one flight training event (a discovery flight) before a student must complete the screening requirements. After completion of your Discovery Flight, you will need to obtain approval from the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) through the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP). The application cost is $130 and the process can take 4-6 weeks before the student is eligible to continue training. Complete this application when you have chosen a flight school. Each application is only valid for one school.
FAA Medical Certificate and BasicMed
For many pilots, possessing at least a third-class medical or BasicMed is required to obtain pilot a pilot certificate, including your private pilot certificate and instrument rating. The medical certificate must be obtained from an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Prior to your medical exam, complete the FAA MedXPress Application. This provides the applicant’s information to the AME for review prior to the exam. During your MedXPress application, select a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Class Medical Certificate. Here is a breakdown of the different medical certificates so you can choose the correct medical certificate for your specific aviation goals.
1st Class Medical Certificate
A first-class medical certificate is required to exercise Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) privileges. Essentially, anyone who wants to work for the airlines will need to pursue their first-class medical certificate. Although a first-class medical certificate is not required for your initial ratings (Private, Instrument, and Commercial), we recommend that you apply for it now to ensure that the airlines are within reach based on your medical evaluation.
2nd Class Medical Certificate
A second-class medical certificate is necessary for all other commercial privileges other than an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). To fly cargo or work as a corporate pilot, a second-class medical certificate is the right option for these aviation jobs.
3rd Class Medical Certificate
For any other reason to fly other than listed above, a third-class medical will be sufficient for your aviation flying needs. The third-class medical certificate is perfect for those who are simply looking to fly as a hobby. If becoming a flight instructor is your ultimate goal, a third-class medical certificate is applicable.
BasicMed
Private Pilots may also obtain a BasicMed clearance in lieu of a 3rd Class Medical Certificate, however, there are restrictions. BasicMed requirements.
There is no shortage of equipment and supplies you can purchase for flying. But what you really need is actually quite minimal. Here is a list of our recommended items:
iPad (w/ Cellular Capability) and Foreflight
The days of paper charts and slide rules are over. Most flight planning is now completed using an iPad and Foreflight or Garmin Pilot application. We recommend an iPad with cellular to utilize the built-in GPS for flight tracking – though no cellular subscription is required. Foreflight | Garmin Pilot.
Headset
Good quality, affordable headsets can be purchased in the $300-$400 range. We recommend the David Clark H10-13.4 as a great starter headset. Another option is to purchase a headset with noise cancelling. Bose A20 or Lightspeed Zulu
Aircraft Checklist
A checklist specific to your training aircraft is a critical item and will receive a lot of use. You will also use at home chair-flying or practicing procedures with a home simulator. Checklists can be purchased on Amazon, Sporty’s, Aircraft Spruce or other providers.
Flight Bag
Choose a sturdy backpack to keep your gear organized. Bags specifically designed for aviation may have additional space for headsets and pilot gear.
There are several methods to complete the knowledge requirements for pilot training. As each individual has different learning styles we provide multiple options for students, or a combination of several. The ground school can be completed prior to or concurrent with flight training. However, it is important you keep ahead of your flying with knowledge as the flight lessons focus on practical application of the things you learned. Upon completing the ground school requirements you will receive the endorsement required from your instructor or online provider to schedule the FAA Knowledge Exam.
Online Ground Course
There are several online courses such as the Jeppesen Private Pilot Online Training and Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course that break down over 30 hours of content into short 30-min topics. You can complete these modules individually or over several weekends. If you enjoy video content consumed at your pace, then this may be a good solution for you.
Handbooks and Manuals
Everything you need to know is available in Handbooks and Manuals published by the FAA and industry vendors. FAA Handbooks are also available for free download online as well as through your Foreflight app.
Ground School Exam Preparation
These classes are designed to prepare you for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating or Commercial Pilot knowledge exams. We offer the class in a one-weekend or weekly, once-a-week form.
Investing in a supplemental aircraft insurance policy is likely one of the smartest decisions you’ll make in your flight training journey. Having a supplemental policy in place will provide you with the peace of mind needed to focus on your training. Annual policies typically cost less than $200 and are available through a variety of sources such as Avemco and AOPA. If you have any questions, our Staff will provide you detailed information to help determine what level of insurance best meets your needs.
FAA MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
40 TOTAL MINIMUM FLIGHT HOURS
20 HOURS DUAL INSTRUCTION
10 SOLO HOURS
3 CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT HOURS
3 HOURS NIGHT FLYING
3 HOURS EXAM PREPARATION
3 HOURS INSTRUMENT FLIGHT
Our Private Pilot Course Syllabus reflects 35 hours of ground instruction, 30 hours of dual and 10 solo hours in aircraft.
When choosing the right flight school for you, consider the following factors that will enable your success.
Both flight schools have multiple FLIGHT PRACTICE AREAS NEARBY WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DEPARTURE so you’ll spend less time on the ground than if you were at an airport with considerable traffic, helicopters, towers, etc. So for a typical 1 hour rental, you will have more time to practice maneuvers and that extra practice time adds up. Ultimately, you may be ready for your checkride sooner, saving you time and money.
At First Team Pilot Training, we’re dedicated to providing world-class instruction in a welcoming environment where there is room to hang out and rooms to study without interruption. The FBO has additional training rooms available as needed.
The Fayette County Airport is located just outside Memphis Class B airspace with a 5,000 ft runway and less traffic than nearby flight school alternatives. The West Memphis airport It has 3,000 ft of airspace under the Memphis Class B restriction and no ATC tower. You can reach multiple practice areas within 5 minutes flight time!
Traffic patterns are standard with few airport obstacles meaning you can depart in any direction. Plus having a 5000+ ft runway will be great when it comes time to solo.
At First Team Pilot Training, we have full-time and part-time instructors with experience levels and communication skills that will positively benefit you. We have our own training syllabus that’s provided at low cost to you, or you can bring your own and even upload it to our Flight Circle app.
We use Flight Circle to schedule and track online progress. Its always available online to review lesson plans, coursework and sign-offs. It also keep track of all required aircraft maintenance, billing history and pilot records.
At First Team Pilot Training, we’ve invested a lot of time and money choosing the right Piper aircraft. Each aircraft is outfitted with Garmin or Avidyne GPS navigators, electronic flight displays, and several are TAA Certified with new autopilots. All aircraft are certified for instrument flight. We even put sun shields up after every flight, cover them at night and provide portable air conditioning, iPads and GoPros.
Our flight training programs are built upon thirty years of experience within the aviation industry. Best practices from civilian and military flight training have been incorporated into our training methods, generating repeatable and successful results.
Our courses provide the structure to accomplish your flight training goals efficiently and are built upon the specific knowledge and skills required by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to pass your chosen practical exam. The syllabi are complemented by free, source document, PDFs downloadable at the FAA’s online library further reducing the cost of training. No expensive “training systems” or textbooks are required! Each lesson contains specific tasks and study assignments guiding you to prepare in advance of your next lesson, reducing confusion and holding both you and your instructor accountable to the training requirements.
Our ownership and flight instructors are heavily invested in our pilot training programs. Each serve as leaders and mentors to our student pilots. Our leadership, flight operations and training experience, combined with the desire to build positive, lasting relationships with people from all backgrounds help guide us everyday. We promote open conversation, seek to find common ground and find synergy in every interaction to be successful as a team.
You will find that our commitment to your success is undeniable. We have built relationships within local and national aviation communities and will make every effort to help you reach your goal of becoming a world-class pilot, career pilot or aviation enthusiast.
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