Become a Private Pilot and Explore the Sky

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• Carry passengers
• Fly a single engine plane anywhere in US
• Conduct flights in clear weather, day or night

1. Medical certificate with Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
2. Sign up for online ground school (King Schools, Sporty's, or Gold Seal)
3. Sign up for flight lessons and discuss the plan with your instructor
4. First solo flight
   Requirements: https://www.faraim.org/faa/far/cfr/title-14/part-61/index.html#seqnum61.87
5. Complete solo requirements
6. Complete cross country and night flight requirements
7. Take knowledge test
8. Prepare for practical test (checkride)
9. Pass practical test and become private pilot

Complete the following aeronautical experience prior to the practical test with pilot examiner:

https://www.faraim.org/faa/far/cfr/title-14/part-61/index.html#seqnum61.109

School Requirements

• Height of 5' or taller
• Max weight of 250 lbs
• Obtain your student pilot and medical certificates prior to logging 15 hours of flight time

General Requirements

• Read, write, and speak English
• Proof of US Citizenship or complete or receive Determination of Eligibility from TSA.    https://fts.tsa.dhs.gov/home
• Pass FAA medical exam
• 16 years of age to solo
• 17 years of age to take practical test for private pilot certificate

Flight Experience Requirement

• 40 hours of flight time
  • 20 hours of flight instruction
    • 3 hours of cross country training
    • 3 hours of night training
    • 3 hours of instrument training
    • 3 hours of flight training within 60 days of practical test (checkride)
  • 10 hours of solo flight
    • 5 hours of cross country (greater than 50 nautical miles)
    • 150 nautical mile (NM) flight with 3 full stops at 3 different airports
    • 3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower
• Pass FAA knowledge test
• Pass FAA practical test (checkride)

It is highly recommended that you train at least once/week and prepare for each lesson by studying the topic(s) that will be covered in the lesson.

Below is the cost to complete all the flight and ground training in order to complete all the necessary requirements and obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to become private pilot based on the national average.  The actual numbers will vary from student to student and depend on such factors as the weather, the frequency of the lessons, and level of preparedness for the lessons.

60 hours of flight lessons:  $14,100

10 hours of solo flight: $1,750

40 hours of ground training: $2,400

Online ground school + supplies: $350

Medical exam: $200

Knowledge test: $175

Checkride: $800

2 hours of plane rental for the checkride: $350

Total: $20,125