Becoming a Private Pilot Opens the Door to New Educational and Career Opportunities

People become pilots for all sorts of reasons. When you obtain your pilot "license" you will be authorized to fly for pleasure or business (not for pay—that requires a commercial pilot certificate). You'll be able to rent aircraft to fly to sporting events, grandmother's house, or just to tootle around in the sky.

The education and training to be a private pilot requires a time and monetary commitment. You will be learning  new psychomotor skills, aeronautical decision-making, along with aeronautical subjects such as, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, and regulations.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Private Pilot?

Flight hours v. calendar days. The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight-hours to apply for a private pilot certificate. However, the national average to complete a private pilot license is more like 80 flight hours.

A full time (5-days a week) training track takes from four to eight months to complete. A part time track (one-lesson per week) can take from six to eighteen months to complete.

No matter how many flight hours it takes you, the FAA requires all pilot applicants to prove they have acquired the knowledge and skills required to meet a national test standard.

With consistent training and our structured Cessna curriculum our pilots consistently finish in fewer than the national flight hour average.