At Windy City Flyers, our highly qualified flight instructors provide you with the one-on-one attention you need to safely learn to fly. Through the Windy City Flyers Private Pilot course, you can join an elite corps of Americans (less than ¼%) who have earned their pilot certificate. With a private pilot certificate, you will be able to fly anywher on the continent for business or pleasure. You will be able not only to enjoy the freedom of flight yourself, but also share the pleasure with business associates, friends or family as you venture to any one of the 7,000 public use airports.

FAA Requirements

English proficient

Minimum 16 years of age to solo

Minimum 17 years of age to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate

Hold at minimum a 3rd Class Medical

Received and logged the required ground training

Minimum 40 hours of flight training

10 hours of Solo flying

5 hours of solo cross country flying (destination that is more than 50 NM)

Pass the Private Pilot FAA Written Test

Pass a check ride given by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

Please remember that these are the FAA minimums and that everyone learns at a different pace.  The national average for obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate is between 60-80 hours.  However, you will find that WCF has a progress chart and a very comprehensive syllabus that details out every lesson so that both the Instructor and Student are maximizing each lesson.