Private Pilot

A Private Pilot Certificate is where your Aviation career starts. It is the foundation of your entire piloting experience, whether you are flying for fun or as a career pilot. You are able to take to the skies with your friends or family. You can fly most single-engine, piston driven aircraft anywhere in the US. You can fly day or night in any conditions acceptable to Visual Flight Rules. Although you can share the joy of flight, you are restricted from flying for hire or compensation. A Private Pilot is allowed to fly for personal business but cannot be paid or compensated directly just to fly. Average cost for a private pilot certificate averages between $7500 and $10500 depending on the plane you choose and how frequent you fly.

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Need to Know

  • Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.109). Receive a minimum of 40 hours of flight instruction and solo flight time including:

    20 hours of flight training from an authorized flight instructor, including at least:

    • 3 hours of cross-country

    • 3 hours of night, including

      • One cross-country flight of over 100nm total distance

    • 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at an airport

    • 3 hours of instrument flight training in an airplane

    • 3 hours in airplanes in preparation for the private pilot practical test

    • 10 hours of solo time in an airplane, including:

      • 5 hours of cross-country flights.

      • One solo cross-country flight of at least 150nm total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points and with one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50nm between takeoff and landing locations

      • Three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

    1. Be at least 17 years old.

    2. Be able to Read, Speak, Write, and Understand the English Language.

    3. Have a Student Pilot Certificate

    4. Have at least an FAA Class 3 Medical from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

    5. Have received and logged all the Ground and Flight Training necessary to pass the Practical Exam as outlined in FAA 61.105, 61.107, and 61.109.

    6. Pass an FAA written Exam

    7. Pass an FAA Practical Test with a Designated Pilot Examiner

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Suggested Items for Success

  • Private Pilot Course

    Online Cessna Course

    Flight computer

    Logbook

    Flight bag

    Garmin Pilot Trial

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