FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING
1. Who can apply?
Anyone with a physical disability that significantly impairs function can apply. Able Flight has awarded scholarships to people who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injury, people with a variety of congenital birth defects, and people who have lost limbs.
2. How do I apply for a scholarship?
Visit the Scholarship page on this website and you’ll find three versions of a downloadable application form. Read the description of each type of scholarship and choose the form that best applies to your situation. You’ll find instructions on the form.
3. What are the medical requirements?
A valid and current state driver’s license is required for training under the Sport Pilot certification rule. You must be following any restrictions that your state has placed on your driver’s license. If you have previously taken an FAA medical exam and been denied, a driver’s license may not be used until after the first successful FAA medical exam.
4. Will I need to supply medical records?
No. In fact, our application form very clearly states that you should not supply medical records, only a simple statement from your physician as to the nature of your disability.
5. When will I hear if I’ve been selected?
Able Flight reviews applications on a rolling basis, and typically makes selections every 3-4 months. You will be notified via email that we have received your application and if everything is in order. Your application will receive an initial review and then you’ll be contacted if you were selected for an interview. Those not initially selected for an interview will be notified and asked if they’d like to have their application considered again in the next round of reviews. After interviews, a scholarship review committee will consider the finalists' applications and make awards as appropriate.
6. What license can I earn?
Able Flight scholarships are for training that can lead to a Sport Pilot Certificate (see more below).
7. What does the scholarship cover?
Our full scholarships cover flight and ground training, testing fees, study materials, lodging and travel to a flight school as required (some students can train near their homes). Scholarships do not include local transportation to and from the airport and meals while training. Recipients of full scholarships receive a complete ground school self-study package shortly after their selection.
8. Where would I train?
A training location is determined based on the individual student’s needs. Able Flight coordinates a training location and schedule with flight schools in several locations throughout the country. Current and past training locations include Georgia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Florida and Arizona.
9. How long does it take to earn a license?
It varies according to the student. While the FAA has set a minimum number of hours required to obtain a Sport Pilot Certificate, Able Flight has found that to train to a high standard, additional hours are required. For scholarship recipients who train for a Sport Pilot Certificate and live in a hotel during training, the average time is between 4-6 weeks.
10. When do I study for the ground school test?
Scholarship recipients complete this computer-based program prior to arriving for flight training, but they do not take the final FAA Knowledge Exam until after they have met with their instructor and reviewed the materials.
11. What if I need special adaptations for the training aircraft?
Before an applicant is selected, Able Flight determines if an appropriately-adapted training aircraft exists that will meet their needs.
12. How hard is it to learn to fly?
Learning to fly is demanding, but certainly within reach of those who are up to the challenge. There are long hours of ground school study and many hours in the air learning to control the airplane. This is not a program for people who are seeking a “weekend adventure” experience, but a program for people who are willing to work hard and remain committed to earning the privilege of becoming a pilot.
ABOUT ABLE FLIGHT
1. Is Able Flight a flight school?
Able Flight is a scholarship organization, not a flight school. We work with flight schools that provide the training.
2. Who supports Able Flight?
We are supported through the generous donations of individuals, corporate sponsorships and foundation grants.
3. How can I support Able Flight?
It’s easy to make a donation on our website, or by sending a check to the address on the donation page.
4. Where can I learn more about Able Flight?
This website has a lot of good information on Able Flight. Visit the “About Us” page to learn more about the people behind the organization, and visit Great Nonprofits to read what our scholarship recipients, sponsors, donors and volunteers have to say about Able Flight. You can find information on our nonprofit status at GuideStar.
SPORT PILOT LICENSE AND LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT
1. What is the Sport Pilot Certificate?
The Sport Pilot Certificate is an FAA issued pilot’s license.
2. Can I carry passengers as a Sport Pilot?
Yes, Sport Pilots are certified to fly two-seat Light Sport Aircraft and can carry a passenger.
3. What are “Light Sport Aircraft”?
Light Sport Aircraft are also known as “LSAs” and are a new category of aircraft. There are over 100 approved models. They are two seat aircraft with a maximum weight of 1320 pounds, a maximum speed of 138 mph, and when flown by a pilot with a Sport Pilot Certificate, can be flown under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) during daytime hours.
4. Where can I go to learn more about Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft?
Visit www.sportpilot.org for information on the Sport Pilot Rule and Light Sport Aircraft.
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