TRAVEL EXPRESS AVIATION, LLC
Rental |Instruction | Management | Maintenance | Charter
Train at TEA with FAA Certified Flight Instructors who will train with you in private sessions on your schedule helping you to achieve your goals whether you are career minded and focusing on joining the airlines or simply looking to learn to fly for personal reasons. We are successful in training for all ratings including Private, Instrument, Multi-Engine, CFI, ATP and more.
On our training fleet, you will find the Piper Archer, Arrow and Aztec and the Cirrus SR20 and SR22. For the convenience of aircraft owners, we will train with you in your plane and will travel to your home airport if needed. TO GET STARTED CALL 630.584.6462 AND LET'S TALK!
Gain the confidence and knowledge required to successfully and safely fly the Cirrus SR Series of aircraft, a technologically advanced and luxurious aircraft with the latest in systems and avionics.
Our CSIP instructors have been put through the paces and trained under the guidelines of Cirrus Aircraft Corporation.
We have several Cirrus aircraft on our fleet available for flight training and rental. Of course if you own your own Cirrus we will work with you in the comfort of your own plane. Our mentor pilots do travel so should you live outside of the Chicagoland area, we will come to you.
Cirrus services offered include Initial Flight Training, Transition Training, Advanced Transition Training, Engine Management, Avionics Courses. Pilot Services and more. 630-584-6462 for information and scheduling.
The Private Pilot Rating is the first step to fulfilling your dream of learning to fly and will open up your world to living the pilot life whether your goals are personal in nature and / or you are career minded and planning for corporate aviation or the airlines!
The FAA requires that you must be at least 17 years old to apply for a Private Pilot's License. However, many people choose to begin training prior to their 17th birthday.
40 hours of flight time is the minimum that the FAA requires and most students are closer to 55 hours or more by the time they are ready to apply for their check ride to earn their license.
Most of our primary instruction is in the Piper Archer's as they are a tried and true training airplane and are fairly cost effective compared to their higher performance counterparts.
30 hours dual flight instruction
40 hours ground instruction
At TEA, we offer a comprehensive training program with a private flight instructor. You will not be placed into a group training class scenario. With that, you have control over the total cost to some extent. Those that have the time to maintain a regular training schedule and that commit time outside of lessons for self-study will usually require less instruction and flight time to achieve their rating. We estimate that the cost to earn a private pilot's license to be $13,000 to $15,000 which includes materials, ground school and written test.
Note Regarding the minimum requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States Department of Transportation. In addition to the age as dictated by the FAA, you must pass a physical and receive a current FAA third-class medical certificate. According to FAR 61.109, Aeronautical Experience, You must log at least 40 hours of flight time and have at least 20 hours of flight instruction with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight. You must pass the FAA Private Pilot Airmen Knowledge written test and pass the FAA Private Pilot Practical Standards exam.
You will notice that the minimum number of flight hours is 40 but the averages run higher. The Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association (AOPA)reports that the average student will need about 50 to 70 hours of flight time.
The Instrument Rating allows a pilot to fly in conditions that are not VFR, i.e. when visibility is poor. The Instrument Rating allows you to fly when conditions are IRF (Instrument Flight Rules). Most pilots should consider the Instrument Rating as it makes for a safer pilot and prepares you for changes in weather that may occur unexpectedly. Of course if you are career minded and want to fly professionally, it is required.
Every pilot should consider obtaining an Instrument Rating, which allows flight in conditions where visibility is below VFR conditions. With an Instrument Rating, you can rely on the aircraft's instrument panel to guide you safely through your flight. Flying in instrument conditions is called IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules. You my not always want to or need to fly IFR, but it certainly gives you more options should the weather change.
Requirements And Estimated Cost
Following are the average training requirements for earning your instrument rating:
50 hours solo cross country logged
40 - 50 Hours in Piper Archer (of course you may train in another aircraft, however the Archer is more cost effective.)
Includes Complex Check-Out
30 Hours Dual Ground Instruction
40 Hours Dual Flight Instruction
You Can Complete Instrument Training in 3 to 4 Months with an estimated cost of $10,250 to $15,250 which includes materials, ground school and written test.
The Multi Engine Rating is required to fly an aircraft with more than one engine. This rating allows the safety in knowing that there are two engines to rely on as well as the speed that most often cannot be obtained with a single engine aircraft. This rating requires an instructor's endorsement and a practical test. A knowledge test, i.e. written test, is not required.
Following are the average training requirements for earning your multi-engine rating:
10 - 15 hours in a Piper Aztec as dual flight instruction
15 hours dual ground instruction
Training can be completed in 1 - 2 months
Keep in mind that the training times listed are averages. Those that are more disciplined and regular regarding their flight training will achieve their goals more quickly while those that train less frequently may log more hours to achieve the same goal.