Learning to fly is a pursuit that even celebrities like Angelina Jolie view in awe. If you decide that it is time to strike becoming a licensed pilot off your bucket list, there are few things you should know in order to prepare yourself for the task. Taking flight lessons to learn how to navigate an aircraft is an amazing opportunity but you want to make sure the your are physically, financially and mentally prepared for the experience.

Be Healthy

There is more to earning a pilot's license than taking lessons. If you plan on flying solo in a plane, helicopter or gyrocopter, you must obtain a medical certificate. This is a federal requirement, and there is no way around it. Obtaining the medical certificate process is independent of receiving lessons.

The Federal Aviation Administration oversees pilot medical certification. The agency recommends that you obtain your medical certificate before you begin flight lessons so you can become aware of any unknown medical conditions that may prevent you from flying.

The FAA provides an online directory of agency-approved physicians that provide the physical exams required for medical certificates.

There are three classes of medical certificates. The type you obtain depends on what kind of pilot license you earn.

• 1^st class is for airline pilots

• 2^nd class is commercial pilots

• 3^rd class is for student, private and recreational pilots

If you only plan on navigating gliders or balloons, you do not need a medical certificate.

Learn About the Sit-down Exam

If you want to get a good idea of what type of things you will learn during your flight lessons, purchase a pilot test prep book or download the FAA's pilot study materials.

If you familiarize yourself with pilot terms and rules, you may have an easier time grasping concepts mentioned by your instructor during your classes. Focus on sections that explain basic terminology, safety and plane parts such as chapters on the cockpit, takeoff check and the glossary.

If you prefer a written handbook instead of the FAA's online PDF documents, you can purchase guides from online bookstores. Your flight school may also sell written test guides.

Make Sure You Are Financially Ready

Airplanes are expensive transport vehicles, much more expensive than cars, so it makes sense that obtaining a pilot's license is going to cost you more than what it cost to get a driver's license. If you dream of flying but are on a tight budget, make sure you add up all of the costs of becoming a certified pilot before your journey begins so you have time to save up funds. You want to make sure you have enough money for the following:

• Physician fee for the medical certificate

• The actual flight lessons

• Study materials for the sit-down exam

• Rental fees for flights after you earn your license

Once you add up all of the costs associated with becoming a pilot, you are looking at a minimum of a few thousand dollars. However, if learning how to fly is a lifelong dream of yours, the costs will be well worth the experience and knowledge.

If you want to save money on plane rentals, look for discounts on popular coupon deal websites. In addition, be sure to ask your flight school if they offer deals for former students to rent planes.

Learn About the Legalities for Volunteer Pilots

If you plan on using your pilot's license to perform volunteer work as part of the Civil Air Patrol or other organizations, you may have to undergo a background check and meet other prerequisites. For example, in order to take part in CAP-organized rescue flights to assist the Red Cross and local law enforcement groups, you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident. If you do not meet those criteria, you can apply to CAP for a waiver.

In addition, all CAP members must submit fingerprints to the FBI. Contact your local CAP chapter to learn about any additional rules you must follow in order to become a volunteer pilot with the organization.

Contact a flight school like Institute of Aviation at Parkland College for more information.