Hello,
I have read a few of the other posts and while I would like to learn to fly, I would like lessons on rather small aircraft, like the Cessna Skyhawk? video was showing. I'm not particularly interested in becoming a pilot as a job, so I'm not really geared toward the whole certification/credentials thing, but I would like to safely fly an airplane of my own. Does anyone know how much it might cost for enough lessons to make me a safe pilot of my own plane? Just kind of entertaining the thought at this point, so if there's some big aspect of all this I'm missing, just keep in mind I'm not 100% serious as of yet.

Thanks!

Prices can vary on locatoin,

Here is an example, it is about 6500 to 7000 to get your private license

Private Pilot Training (http://executiveflyers.com/html/private_pilot_training.html)

I noticed the link is based on 50 Hours flight, and 5 hours ground school.
Both could be longer, A good book among many is Gleims(the red book), It goes through
Aerodynamics, Navigation, Aeromedical and about 8 other areas or chapters and covers all areas needed to pass the test.
You can also just pay as you want to go fly, don't have to have commitment or get serious, in no time the hours will add up, King videos were also helpful.
There are also introductory flights that I believe were $25. Good Luck

Yes, I will agree, I actually took a week ground school, class room not one on one, and then took a ground school prep class prior to taking my test.

Yes, I will agree, I actually took a week ground school, class room not one on one, and then took a ground school prep class prior to taking my test.

What test are you referring to, exactly? And for that matter, what kind of red tape and I going to run into in this kind of thing? There's got to be some sort of regulation on who can fly a plane (even if I own it), right?

There is a several 1000 page book of regulations, also if you own a plane what typeof plane, there are execptions for ultra lights, and then different indorceemnts on your license.

But you have to pass a test on basically ground school items, plotting a course, rules or flight, following a map, knowing all the rules of restricted areas. So you will be tested on that knowledge.

Then you will have to do enough hours with a trainer to do solo, you then are required to do so many hours and certain flights solo and you will then test to show you are able to fly the plane and be issued a license
** and before any of that you have to pass a flight physcial from an approved doctor.

These links should keep you busy a day or two

FAA - Regulations & Policies (http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/)

FAA - Pilot Regulations (http://origin.www.faa.gov/pilots/regs/)

AOPA Online: (http://www.aopa.org/)

FAA - Medical Certification-Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) (http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/)