We’ve Answered Some Of Our Students Top Questions
Frequently Asked Questions

These are the typical questions we receive from thousands of prospective students. These questions are being answered from a 1st person perspective and will include personal examples. One of the reasons OC Flight Lessons has been so successful is because we are not only giving you instruction on how to fly an airplane, but we are also teaching you how to avoid the costly mistakes we have made for the past 20 years. We are always placing ourselves in the students shoes. In other words, if we had to do training all over again, this is how we would do it.
Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve Answered Some Of Our Students Top Questions
These are the typical questions I receive from thousands of prospective students. These questions are being answered from a 1st person perspective and will include personal examples. One of the reasons OC Flight Lessons has been so successful is because we are not only giving you instruction on how to fly an airplane, but we are also teaching you how to avoid the costly mistakes we have made for the past 20 years. We are always placing ourselves in the students shoes. In other words, if I had to do my training all over again, this is how I would do it.
Does your school accept foreign students?
We accept foreign nationals that are already in the United States on either a work visa or student visa issued by a school. We can not issue student visas at this time. We anticipate the authority for visa issuance to be granted to us in June of 2020.
Is your school part 61 or part 141?
Our school is currently a part 61 school. We are anticipating the FAA to grant us 141 status in June of 2020.
What is the difference between 61 vs. 141?
You will have the option to enroll in either 61 or 141 type of training program at our school. Part 141 requires you to follow a structured program and syllabus. Part 141 gives the school the ability to train foreign students and gives the school an “Air Agency Certificate” issued by the FAA.
Will my license indicate that I went to a 141 school?
No, all FAA issued licenses are the same, regardless of 61 or 141.
Do airlines prefer 61 vs 141?
No they do not. The vast majority of airline pilots in cockpits today trained at 61 schools.
Which type of training is better quality, 141 or 61?
Neither. The quality of training is determined by the quality of instructor and school. You can enroll in part 61 training at a school and receive instruction from the same instructor that is teaching 141 curriculum to other students.
What is the most important factor in selecting a flight school?
Quality of instruction is the most important factor. You are spending a large sum of money for your training. Picking a school based on prices can lead to costly mistakes. An example of this: Among the many requirements to attain your private pilots license is that you fly a minimum of 3 hours of cross country flying with an instructor. The definition of cross country flight time is a minimum of 50 NM straight line distance from your departure airport to the destination. Often times, an inexperienced flight instructor will select an airport that does not meet this criteria. This mistake is often discovered during the logbook review phase of your testing day. When the mistake is discovered by the FAA examiner, the test must be discontinued. The examiners fee of $800 is lost by the applicant, and they must now redo the cross country flight which will cost hundreds of dollars. When the applicant retakes the exam, the examiners fee must be paid a second time. These types of mistakes occur frequently. Pick an experienced school wisely.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, we work with a credit union that offers financing for your entire flight training. It is based on income and credit score. Co-signers are permitted.
Do you rent aircraft?
Because of high demand for flight training, we don’t rent aircraft. Current students are permitted to rent aircraft to build flight time
How long will it take me to complete my Biannual Flight Review?
That depends on how prepared you are before arriving to our office and how frequently you fly. If you haven’t flown an airplane for months or picked up an FAR book in a while, you’re most likely going to require additional training to complete your flight review.
How long are your introductory flights?
Our introductory flights are 30 minutes of airplane time. However, expect to spend about 1 hour with us from the time you walk in our office.
What is the introductory flight like?
You will get to fly the airplane with the assistance of the instructor.
Can I bring friends along for the introductory flight?
Although the aircraft has 4 seats, it is limited by weight. The weight of the instructor and passengers will determine how many people can go on the flight. Typically, 2 people plus an instructor is the limit of the airplane.
Bringing additional passengers is an option available as an add-on feature at time of booking through our website. If bringing a friend, please make sure to purchase the additional seat and take note of weight restrictions.
Do I need to complete ground school with OC Flight Lessons?
No you do not. But you will be expected to know all the knowledge associated with your flight training.
What type of aircraft do you use?
We use Cessna 172’s. It is the workhorse of the industry. Parts are readily available. The aircraft has flown millions of safe hours. We have used Cessna 152’s, and light sport aircraft previously. Cessna 152’s have severe weight restrictions and has a less robust platform, making it require maintenance more frequently.
What is your opinion on using a light sport aircraft?
Flight schools prefer using light sport aircraft because they use automobile gasoline which is half the price of aviation gasoline. This saves the flight school thousands of dollars. Light sports also consume half the fuel of a Cessna or Piper. Manufacturers accomplish this by significantly reducing its weight. In doing so, the aircraft becomes so light, that small gusts of wind expose the aircraft to turbulence, making it a terrible trainer. When we had our light sport, we would often cancel lessons if winds were above 12-15 knots. Cessna 172’s comfortably handle 15-20 knots of wind, if the pilot is appropriately trained. This reduces the cancellation rate of lessons and leads to better training. The Cessna 172 is the workhorse of the flight training industry for a reason.
How long will it take me to solo at your school?
It will depend on how much effort you put into the training, how frequently you fly, and sometimes your natural talent at flying. If you study the knowledge portion, take notes, have questions ready for your instructor prior to your lesson, you will position yourself to succeed. Some students solo as little as 15 hours, sometimes in extreme cases they solo in 60 hours. There are no two students that are alike. Through 20 years of flying, we have learned that quality is defined as:
- 50% Knowledge
- 30% Practice
- 20% Talent
If you fly the aircraft perfectly, but can’t explain why or how it acts in the manner that it does, you won’t pass the checkride, nor will you set yourself up to succeed.
What is the fastest time period that I can attain my private pilots license or commercial license?
With a full time commitment and prior planning, you can get your private pilots license within 30 days. Your commercial license can be accomplished in 1 year.
What Covid-19 precautions and measures are in place?
Flight schools have been exempt from closure. We are actively giving flight instruction. All students are requested to wear face coverings and wash their hands upon entering the facility. All aircraft and simulators are sanitized before every flight.