Private Pilot Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of forty flight hours to obtain a private pilot's license. However, in reality the national average flight time as a student pilot is approximately 71 hours. Your actual flight time required, and the resulting cost of training, are dependent on your abilities, frequency of flight lessons, and the weather. Our experience shows that the average student needs about six months and 55 to 65 flight hours to complete training and earn their private pilot certificate.

once you have taken a medical examination and received an FAA medical certificate you are ready to begin your training and preparation for solo flight. All flight instruction is on an individual basis and can be scheduled at your convenience. There is no requirement to enroll in a formal ground school and ground training does not necessarily have to be completed before your first flight lesson. The ground training is in conjunction with your flight training and will prepare you to pass a national standardized written test.

Flight training is structured to teach you those skills that will allow you to operate an aircraft safely as a private pilot. The final phase of your training is a practical flight test in an aircraft that includes an oral exam on the knowledge you have gained during training.

General aviation is a fun, exciting, and safe avocation. We hope to see you in the air soon!

Minimum Flight Hours for the Private Pilot Certificate:

(FAR 61.109)

20 Hours Flight Instruction

10 Hours Solo

10 Additional Hours of Solo or Instruction

Equals:   40 Hours Total