Think about why you want to fly.
Do you want to fly for fun or work toward a flying career? Tell the flight school what interests you. They can help you choose the right lessons.
Read the government’s beginner guide ↗LEARN TO FLY. START HERE.
The sky is closer
than you think.
Start with a training budget you understand. Explore the costs, funding questions and lesson-planning habits to discuss before you commit.
01 / YOUR FIRST STEPSBIG DREAM. PRACTICAL NEXT STEP.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Starts with one flight.
YOU CAN START WITH ONE LESSONStarts with one flight.
01 / START HERE
From “one day”
to your first flight.
You don’t need to know anything about airplanes to begin. Follow these four steps, and ask a flight school to help with the details.
Try a first flight.
A discovery flight is a short first flight with a teacher, called a flight instructor. See what flying feels like and ask questions. Check the price and what’s included before booking.
Ask DuBois about a first flight ↗Ask what you need to begin.
Ask the school about age rules, paperwork, and any health exam you may need. Get answers before spending a lot on lessons.
Read about getting started ↗Plan your time and money.
Ask for a written breakdown of costs. Pick a lesson schedule you can afford, and leave time to study between flights. Allow for extra practice and weather delays.
Build your training budget →02 / MAKE IT POSSIBLE
A dream needs a plan.
Not a perfect bank balance.
You can combine savings, scholarships, extra income, and loans. Start with what you can comfortably afford.
Look for scholarships
before you borrow.
A scholarship helps pay for training and usually does not need to be paid back. Start by writing a short note about why you want to fly.
Each scholarship has its own rules and deadline. Check who can apply and what it pays for. Applying does not guarantee you’ll receive money.
Find scholarships through EAA ↗Find scholarships through AOPA ↗Save as you go +
Set aside money for lessons each payday. Save a little extra for unexpected costs so you can keep learning without a long break.
Thinking about a loan? +
Ask: How much will I pay back in total? When do payments start? Can the interest rate go up? Are there extra fees? Check that the loan covers your chosen school. If someone signs with you, ask what they would owe if you cannot pay. Choose payments you can afford on your income today.
Ask about help from work or local groups +
Ask your employer whether they help pay for education. Local clubs and community groups may also offer support. Ask what they cover and get any agreement in writing.
Earn extra money for lessons +
A part-time job or a few extra shifts can help grow your flight fund. Airport jobs may also help you meet people in aviation. Ask schools if employees receive a training discount; don’t assume working there earns free lessons.
Check college or military benefits +
Some college flying programs may qualify for student aid. Ask the college before signing up. If you have military education benefits, ask the VA whether they cover the exact school and course you want. Coverage is not automatic.
Check VA flight-training benefits ↗Educational planning ideas, not a loan offer or personalized financial advice. Provider terms and scholarship availability change; verify directly before committing.
03 / SPEND SMARTER
Make every lesson count.
A low price per hour is only part of the story. Good preparation and regular lessons can help you use your money well.
Arrive prepared
Ask what your next lesson will cover. Do the reading and practice what your instructor recommends before you arrive.
Take lessons regularly
Choose a schedule you can keep up with. Long breaks can mean spending lesson time relearning things.
Compare the whole bill
Ask whether the airplane price includes fuel. Also ask about teaching time on the ground, insurance, tests, the final flying exam, and missed-lesson fees.
Ask about a flight simulator
A flight simulator lets you practice flying without leaving the ground. Ask your instructor when it would help and whether any of that practice counts toward your training.
Buy only what you need
Ask your instructor what you need for your first lessons. Borrowing or renting a headset may help you avoid a big purchase right away. Check used items before buying.
Compare flying clubs
A flying club shares access to airplanes among its members. Ask about joining fees, monthly fees, lessons, and how easy it is to book a plane. Compare the full cost with a flight school.
TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME
Five simple guides.
A clearer place to start.
New to flying? These short guides answer the questions you might not know to ask yet.
GUIDE 01 · 4 MIN READ
How to choose a flight school
Find a school where you feel comfortable asking questions, the schedule fits your life, and the costs are clear.
Read the guide →GUIDE 02 · 3 MIN READGetting ready for your first flight
You do not need flying experience. Your first flight is a chance to meet an instructor, try something new, and see how you feel.
Read the guide →GUIDE 03 · 3 MIN READPilot licenses, in plain English
People often say “pilot license.” In the United States, the official term is a pilot certificate. Think of it as permission for a particular kind of flying.
Read the guide →GUIDE 04 · 3 MIN READLearning to fly while working
You can explore flight training without putting the rest of your life on hold. The key is a schedule you can afford and keep.
Read the guide →GUIDE 05 · 3 MIN READWhat flight training is actually like
Learning to fly is a series of small steps. You learn with a teacher, practice, ask questions, and build confidence over time.
Read the guide →04 / PUT NUMBERS TO THE DREAM
Your plan.
Your pace.
Change the numbers to see how a training budget adds up. These are sample amounts, not prices from DuBois Aviation. Ask a school to help you fill them in.
Everyone learns at a different pace. Use the school’s estimate and leave room for extra lessons. Loan costs are not included.
FROM ESTIMATE TO CONVERSATION
Take your assumptions
to a flight school.
Your planner total is an example, not a school quote. Bring the aircraft and instructor rates you used, your weekly availability, and the items you left out. Ask for a written estimate that identifies what is included, what is extra, and what changes if training takes longer.
For training at Chino Airport, ask DuBois Aviation about your goals and training budget before enrolling. Its enrollment page separates an initial training inquiry from an enrollment request. Neither is a confirmed lesson or a financing offer.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Less wondering.
More getting started.
Ready to turn a plan into a conversation? Explore airplane and helicopter training with DuBois Aviation at Chino Airport, California.
Visit DuBois Aviation ↗(909) 597-6292