Every Pilot out there starts somewhere, and that’s the Private Pilot Certificate.

What’s Required?

Requirements for the Private Pilot are outlined in Part 61 and it’s subparts.

But the bare legal requirements is:

40 Hours of Flight time in Category and Class to include:

-20 Hours of Flight Instruction in Category and Class

-10 Hours of Solo

Pass a written Knowledge Test

Pass an Examination with a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (Commonly referred to as the “Checkride”)

Be 17 years of age. Not 17 yet? That’s ok we can start your training and have you completed to take the checkride on your birthday.

Read, write, and be proficient in the English language.

While 40 hours is the bare legal requirement to earn your certificate, the National average is 60-80 hours to earn your private pilot. The amount of flight time, instruction, and ultimately cost is dependent on your skill, ability, and effort you make in the aircraft and your training.

Within your 40 hours, there are certain other requirements and experience that is outlined in FAR Part 61.109.

How much does it cost?

In an absolutely perfect scenario, plan to spend around $11,000.

In a likely scenario, plan to spend around $21,000.

How long will it take?

Ultimately, how long it takes you to complete is driven by you, the weather, the airplanes, and the availability of an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner all have a vote however.

Nominally, I suggest a period of 6-9 months to complete the certificate.

In an absolutely extreme case, it is possible to complete in 3 months but this is the exception, not the rule.

How frequently will we fly?

This is up to you. I am a full time flight instructor and am pretty flexible. Generally, I suggest two flights a week and a ground instruction lesson.

Only want to fly after work and weekends? Sure, we can do that however that does limit our windows of availability and might have an effect on the overall time it takes to complete.