Requirements

Under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61, Subpart E, the FAA stipulates the requirements to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate and here is the short of it:

1. Be at least 17 years of age

2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English

3. Obtain at least a third-class FAA medical certificate

4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course

5. Pass a knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.

6. Accumulate appropriate flight experience

7. Receive a minimum of 40 hours of combined flight instruction and solo flight time and demonstrate skill

8. Successfully complete a practical (flight) test given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner and conducted as specified in the FAA's Private Pilot Practical Test Standards