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Within all of us is a varying amount of space lint and star dust, the
residue from our creation. Most are too busy to notice it, and it is
stronger in some than others. It is strongest in those of us who fly
and is responsible for an unconscious, subtle desire to slip into
some wings and try for the elusive boundaries of our origin.

K O Eckland, Footprints On Clouds.


1. What does it mean the aircraft rate is $125/hr Hobbs wet?
 

Hobbs
The hobbs meter is a digital clock-like device that operates whenever the engine is making oil pressure. It measures time in "real-time", exactly the same as your watch. From the moment you start the engine, the clock starts ticking. This is the time you would log as your total flight time.

Tachometer
The "tach" or tachometer has an odometer-like display, which measures time whenever the engine is running or specifically whenever the propeller is turning. It measures time proportionate to the speed the propeller is turning. The tachometer method produces a significant difference that is generally beneficial to the pilot, since quite simply, the time passes more slowly when the engine is running slower.
This variance in measurement evens out around 2300 RPM, when the meter equals a real-time clock measurement. Below that power setting, time will accumulate slower than a clock, and above that setting, it will accumulate faster. This is a significant benefit to the pilot during periods of taxiing, waiting for clearances, or take-off. For pilots performing training operations, such as touch & go's, stalls, slow-flight, etc., it has been found to offer between a 15 and 25 percent advantage. In operations such as cross-country flight, this benefit disappears as power settings are usually in the 2300 RPM range throughout most of the flight.
Higher power settings will produce the opposite effect, but generally to a much lesser degree. It has been determined that power settings in the 2500-2600 RPM range will cause the tachometer to register an extra tenth of an hour for every actual hour flown.

Wet
Wet means fuel is included in the rental price.
   
2. I am not a US citizen. Can I take flying lessons and obtain a FAA pilot certificate?
  Yes, you can. We are a TSA approved training provider. You will have to pass a background check by the TSA. For more information check out the Alien Flight Student Program
   
3. Why should I use Desert Spirit Aviation instead of any other provider?
  At DSA we take pride to offer quality one on one flight training. We are not trying to build flight time to move on to a flying career with the airlines or corporate flying. We enjoy instructing and wish to share our passion of flight with others.
4. What is a Gold Seal CFI?
  The FAA issues the coveted Gold Seal Flight Instructor certificates only to those instructors who give a lot of flight instruction and whose students successfully pass checkrides.
This means you can have a high degree of confidence that the training you are paying for is up to date, accurate, and efficient. Inefficient traininq is expensive, and having to retake a flight test can cost hundreds of dollars more.
You have the right to expect to be given good training and to pass your flight test first time. A Gold Seal CFI certificate is the seal of approval the FAA gives to exceptional instructors.




 
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