NAFC’s course fulfills the FAA Part 141 requirements for a private pilot certificate. This course consists of 35 hours of flight instruction. The student will receive the required training for solo flight, cross-country flights, night flights, and all private pilot maneuvers. If two to three flight lessons are accomplished a week, the Private Pilot Certificate can be completed in approximately six to nine months.

The ground school encompasses 35 hours of classroom training in preparation for the required FAA written examination. Lessons include aerodynamics, aircraft systems, airports, communications and Air Traffic Control, weight & balance, meteorology, Federal Aviation Regulations, aeronautical charts, radio navigation, flight publications, medical factors and cross country flight planning.

Solo Requirements

Be at least 16 years of age

Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language

Hold at least a third class medical

Graduation Requirements

Be at least 17 years of age

35 hours of piloting time including 20 hours with an instructor and 5 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including cross-country and night flights

5 hours of solo cross-country time

One solo cross-country flight of at least 100 NM 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 50 NM between the takeoff and landing locations

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

Night requirements:

3 hours of night flight training

One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance

10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport

3 hours of flight training on the control and maneuvering solely by reference to instruments

Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector or designated examiner.