Sue A Critz

I currently employ two different airplanes for flight training: a Piper Warrior, and a Piper Arrow III. Both are instrument certified aircraft. Primary training is done in the Warrior, while the Arrow is used only for advanced training.

El Paso International Airport is a Class C primary airport, meaning it has both a control tower and surrounding controlled airspace which is served by terminal radar. A mix of commercial air carrier and general aviation flight operations creates an environment where students gain the ability to understand and use air traffic control services in a setting that isn’t too busy for safe student operations.Because of its geographical location, students also learn high density altitude operations and operations in a mountainous environment, as well as operations near the US border and around military airspace.El Paso International’s three runways are served by nine instrument approaches using VOR, NDB, GPS, LOC, and ILS systems as well as Area Surveillance Radar.

Private Pilot Course.

The private pilot course will prepare you for private flying. When you receive your private pilot certificate, you may carry passengers and fly into any airport in the United States, but you may not do so for hire. Private pilot training will teach you safe handling of the airplane, flight planning, navigation, and use of the Air Traffic Control system.The Federal Aviation Administration requires that you have a minimum of 40 hours of flight training prior to applying for the private pilot certificate. You are also required to meet certain standards, which are given in the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. Most private pilot candidates require an average of 70-80 hours of flight training to meet these standards, which is the figure you should use when figuring out your realistic costs for completion of your certificate. Of course, some will take less time, and some will take more time.Of the flight time you receive, you are also required to have at least 10 hours of solo flight time (flying as the sole occupant of the airplane), 3 hours of dual cross country flights, 5 hours of solo cross country flights, 3 hours of night flying (including a cross country flight), 3 hours of instrument flying, and 3 hours of flight in preparation for your test.

Instrument Rating Course.

The instrument rating course will prepare you for flying under less-than-ideal weather conditions. The emphasis during the instrument course is to enable you to handle the aircraft precisely by reference. The instrument rating will prepare you to use the Air Traffic Control system under Instrument Flight Rules, follow a course defined solely by radio and/or satelite navigational aids, make various types of approaches to airports using different approach and navigational aids, and perform other maneuvers unique to the IFR environment.Under Part 61 regulations, you may complete 15 of the required 40 hours of training with an instructor, and the remaining 25 hours with an appropriately-rated safety pilot. You must also have, at the time of your application for the rating, 50 hours of cross country flight time.

Commercial Pilot Course.

The Commerical Pilot Course will prepare you for a higher level of mastery of the airplane, and also prepare you for flying more complicated airplanes. Upon completion of the commercial pilot course, you may start flying for a living, subject to the limitations of the FAA regulations.The commercial pilot course emphasizes more precise handling of the airplane as demonstrated by the ability to stay within more limited tolerances than at the private level and to perform certain additional maneuvers, and the proper handling of more complex airplanes. A minimum of 10 hours of training in complex airplanes is required for completion of the certificate, plus whatever additional time is needed to meet the PTS standards for maneuvers.

Certificated Flight Instructor Course.

The CFI course will prepare you to teach all of the private and commercial maneuvers while flying the airplane from the right-hand seat. It can be thought of as a commerical pilot test while flying from the right seat and explaining everything as you do so.The main emphasis of the CFI course is developing the ability to simultaneously perform and teach maneuvers effectively, as well as evaluate the performance of the student and make necessary corrections.CFI candidates must also demonstrate knowledge of the learning process and their ability to create lesson plans and teach by passing the Fundamentals of Instructing knowledge test.

Certificated Flight Instructor - Instrument Airplane Course.

The CFII course is similar to the CFI course, with the exception that it will prepare you to teach the instrument rating.The emphasis of the CFII course is to enable you to simultaneously perform and teach instrument maneuvers while flying from the right seat as well as evaluate the performance of the student. You must also, while performing these tasks, act as the safety pilot for the flight.