VIDEO: Learning to Fly

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – AAA predicts that around 45 million Americans will be traveling for the 4th of July this coming weekend.

For many it will be by car. Others will take to the skies, but that doesn’t mean it’s always commercial flights.

For the last few years, flight instructors at the George M Bryan Airport in Starkville have noticed an increase in people wanting to get their pilot’s license.

“In the 5 years I’ve been around here in Starkvile, running the flight school, I see that the interest in general aviation has grown dramatically, both from people who just want to do it personally, as well as people who want to be commercial professional pilots. It’s been growing strongly these last couple of years, so it’s been exciting,” said Roger Keesling, owner of Keesling Aircraft Rental and Training (KART).

Those that come to learn from these instructors have their reasons why they want to become pilots, but two main ones stick out the most.

“It’s a mix,” said Keesling. “I’d say I’d get about half-and-half, you know, that’s more for pleasure and then the other half is people who actually have aspirations to go on and be commercial pilots.”

“Some people come in and want to learn how to fly because they want the freedom that an aircraft can bring, making that five hour ride down to the beach turn into a 45 minute flight, which is wonderful,” said flight instructor, Caleb Cobb.

One of these new pilots who has the desire to go pro is Starkville resident, Kenny Coats.

“I am actually an air traffic controller through the Mississippi Air National Guard. I’m the guy in the tower who tells planes where to go, gives them clearances to take off and that sort of thing. So I really wanted to see the other side of things,” said Coats.

Coats says it took him about five months to receive his private license.

It’s 40 hours of flight time to meet the requirements for a private pilots license, and if you work at your own pace it can take as long as you want it to.

“Usually time limits. Sometimes people do it in a month if you’re on an accelerated program, and then it can take up to a year,” said flight instructor, Bobby Sorrels.

Once you have your license, you can then look to buy or rent a plane to fly out of places like George M. Bryan.

There are several benefits to come from this, and the lower price of travel isn’t the main one.

“The main convenience you gain from that is not as significant more in cost, but it’s the convenience of travelling on your own schedule. If you decide to leave out tomorrow at 8 o’clock and for some reason you have to delay it til 10, no harm no foul. Just leave at 10,” said Keesling.

Instructors also mentioned that while having a license and a plane is convenient for long trips, if the trip is over six or seven hundred miles, it may be better to stick with a commercial flight.