FAQ

A. Yes, almost anyone can learn to fly. However, to earn a Private Pilot License (PPL), you must: 1) Receive an FAA medical certificate (i.e., pass a physical exam). 2) Log at least 40 hours of instruction under the supervision of an FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). 3) Pass an FAA written examination. 4) Pass an FAA oral examination. 5) Pass an FAA practical examination (often referred to as a "check ride").

A. This depends on a number of factors: if you learn in one of our Cessna 150's, the rate is $60 per hour (including fuel), while our 172’s rent for $85. Flight Instructors are $35 per hour, independent of the airplane type. There are several options for Ground School - self study or class room, both requiring text book materials. There are also various fees the FAA charges for taking their exams. In general, the total cost of earning your private pilot license at Twin Oaks Airpark is approximately $4500 to $7500.

Q. Is Twin Oaks Airpark an FAA Part 61 or Part 141 operated flight school, and what is the difference?

Flight schools come in two flavors, Part 61 and Part 141, which refer to the parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) under which they operate. The most common and least important distinction between them is the minimum flight time required for the private certificate — 40 hours under Part 61, and 35 hours under Part 141.

What differentiates the two is structure and accountability. Part 141 schools are periodically audited by the FAA and must have detailed, FAA-approved course outlines and meet student performance rates. Part 61 schools don't have the same paperwork and accountability requirements. Learning under Part 61 rules can often give students the flexibility to rearrange lesson content and sequence to meet their needs, which can be of benefit to part-time students. When it comes to the FAA check ride, which is the same for both schools, it doesn't matter where you learned to fly, only how well — including your understanding of aviation academic material.

A. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours logged in the airplane (Part 61 rules), under the supervision of a CFI. However, 50 to 60 hours is more typical for most students. As always, there are exceptions - some accomplish this goal in 40 hours, some take 80 hours or more. Obviously, the total time duration that it takes depends on how often you fly. Some folks fly every other day, some fly once a week, some fly once a month. Each two hour flight training session, usually logs about 1.2 to 1.4 hours on the airplane’s Hobbs meter (which is the amount of time that you are charged for).

A. You must read, sign and return the Renter's Agreement form to the Airpark Office (available here), and you must show proof of current Renter's Insurance (see Q & A below).

A. This also varies quite a bit and really depends on your abilities, determination, and to a greater extent how often you wait between flight instruction lessons. Obviously, if you only fly once a month, you’re going to tend to have to re-learn a lot of the previous lesson. We’ve seen students solo after 10 hours, and some in as much as 40. However, 20 to 25 hours is typical.

Q. Who is responsible for a Twin Oaks rental airplane, in the unlikely event of an incident or accident?

A. The Pilot In Command (PIC) is responsible for the Aircraft, as well as any passengers onboard. The Certified Flight Instructor (flying with a student), Private Pilot, or Student Pilot (flying solo) are all examples of Pilot in Command. However, who is liable (financially responsible) for the airplane and it’s contents, depends on the type of error/failure that caused the incident/accident, that is Pilot Negligence or Mechanical Faults.

Examples of Pilot Negligence (where the PIC is responsible) include, but are not limited to: Over shoot the runway. Under shoot the runway. Hard landings. Strike an obstacle while in flight or taxiing. Icing due to continued flight into bad weather conditions. Engine out due to any of the following - run out of fuel, mixture improperly set, carb heat improperly set, primer improperly set, magnetos turned off, fuel selector turned off, etc.

Examples of Mechanical Faults (where the PIC is NOT responsible) include, but are not limited to: Control system failure, Engine out due to external/internal component failure, etc.

Because most accidents are caused by Pilot Negligence (and therefore you are fully liable - financially and otherwise), Twin Oaks Airpark requires that all renters of our airplanes have Rental Insurance, with the appropriate amount of hull coverage and experience (as outlined below).

NOTE: Student pilots need insurance at the time of their first solo. Twin Oaks Airpark now requires a minimum of:

J-3 Cub & Cessna 150's: $20,000 hull coverage, with 15 hours Total Time (TT), and 15 hours in make and model.

J-5 Cub: $40,000 hull coverage, with 150 hrs TT, 25 hrs tail dragger time, and 5 hrs dual instruction in make and model.

Cessna 172's: $40,000 hull coverage, with 15 hrs TT, and 15 hrs in make and model.

PA28-180 Cherokee: $50,000 hull coverage, with 15 hrs TT, and 15 hrs in make and model.

PA24-250 Comanche: $75,000 hull coverage, with 250 hrs TT,10 hrs in make and model, and 5 hrs dual instruction in make and model.

NOTE: Please see the two Insurance Links on our home page, to obtain quotes for Renters Insurance (from two local and independent Aviation Insurance Brokers).

Left Traffic, no “Touch & Go’s”, and if you can't land on the first 1/3 of the runway, do a Go-around. Also we do have Noise Abatement policies - please always observe our standard Left Turn Out when departing from Runway 2 or 20, and help us keep our neighbors (and environment) happy!

Strong Wind primarily from the North: Land Runway 2, Depart Runway 2 with Left Turnout.

Strong Wind primarily from the South: Land Runway 20, Depart Runway 20 with Left Turnout.

A. Yes. Runway lights will turn on automatically upon receipt of a microphone key sequence of 5 pulses of approximately 0.5 seconds on each, within 10 seconds. The light controller will activate an output relay to turn on the runway lights for a period of 15 minutes. The controller may be re-triggered at any time during the sequence, which will reset the unit for another 15 minute cycle. The lights will flash to indicate that a new 15 minute cycle has been set. 5 pulses are needed to re-trigger the controller by a com radio tuned to 123.05.

Q. Can I rent a hangar to store items other than an aircraft (automotive parts, furniture, boat, etc.)?

A. No. This is an Airpark. If you don’t have an aircraft to moor and you just need general storage space, keep looking.

Frequently Asked Questions