First Flight

Let’s take a DISCOVERY FLIGHT! Benton x offers a fun and affordable way to see if pursuing your Private Pilot Certificate is right for you for only $150…. and this first flight can be recorded into your training logbook.

You will learn interesting facts about your aircraft as your instructor guides you through a preflight inspection, run up and taxi to the active runway. But, the real enjoyment will begin when YOU take the controls, with your instructor’s guidance, applying full throttle and taking off for your 30-minute training flight.

Take this opportunity to learn about the Private Pilot training. We’ll answer all of your questions about flight training, your instructor, FAA required training and how we maintain our fleet of aircraft.

What Next?

After the introductory flight lesson and you have discovered that flying is more fun than you have ever dreamed, it is time to earn your Private Pilot Certificate and see the world from a new perspective.

A safe and competent pilot is a result of careful instruction, a solid knowledge base and sound decision making. Your best alternative is to train with a full time, professional flight instructor, who is committed to YOUR success.

It’s easier than you think; contact Benton Air Center and the sky will no longer be a limit.

Getting Started

After your first flight, you can prepare for the rest of your lessons. There are a few things you will need to do to continue your flight training:

  • Obtain an FAA Student Pilot Certificate. The document is free, and takes just a few minutes to complete via an online and in person application:
    • Create an account at the FAA – IACRA site.
    • Start a new application for a student pilot certificate from your IACRA account (it is free).
    • Be sure to write down the FTN number from your IACRA account. You will need to provide that to your instructor to complete the student pilot application process.
    • Once your information is entered, and you have reviewed your application, IACRA should allow you to submit.
    • The final step is to complete the verification process with your instructor (this should only take a few minutes).
  • Before you begin flight training, you must prove citizenship. The most common forms of proof would be a current US Passport, or a combination of a US Birth Certificate and a photo ID that matches your name on the Birth Certificate.
  • Non-US citizens also need to complete a TSA application (more information on the process can be found from AOPA here).