Private Pilot License (PPL)
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the starting point for all pilots. In the United States, a Private Pilot License is termed a Private Pilot Certificate and its purpose it can be compared to a driver's license for automobiles. By earning a private pilot license, you can legally fly an aircraft by yourself and carry non-paying passengers. Flight training includes aircraft maneuvers, navigation, emergency procedures and cross-country flight planning. We are here to train individuals who are seeking a private pilot certificate for hobby or sport and those who are on the path to becoming a commercial or airline pilot!
What Can I Do With my Private Pilot Certificate?
The private pilot certificate allows you to fly in and out of all civil airports. A licensed private pilot may partake in activities ranging from flying to a nearby airport for dinner to traveling across the country. A private pilot can take friends and family flying, practice maneuvers, and become involved in one (or more) of the many programs that introduce people to flying.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Private Pilot Certificate?
The amount of time required to earn a private pilot certificate varies and largely depends on weather, availability, finances, and how often a student is available to fly. If a student has relatively open availability and time to study, a private pilot certificate can be earned in less than three months. For students with limited availability, a private pilot certificate could take months to a couple of years.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Private Pilot Certificate?
In order to receive a private pilot certificate, all candidates will be evaluated by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) during a practical test consisting of an oral portion and a flight portion. Before the exam, private pilot students must meet specific requirements. One of our Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) will provide training and ensure each student meets all aeronautical experience requirements prior to applying for the practical test. Prior to the practical exam, students must also successfully complete a written knowledge exam which can be taken at our testing facility. All candidates must be a minimum of 17 years of age on the date of the practical test to be eligible. In addition, all students must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Reference 14 CFR §61.103 for the entire list of eligibility requirements.
Private Pilot License Requirements
To earn a private pilot certificate, a pilot must:
Aeronautical Requirements
According to federal regulations, you must meet the following aeronautical flight experience requirements to earn a private pilot certificate. At a minimum, private pilot candidates qualified for the practical test will have logged 40 hours of flight time that includes 20 hours of flight training from a certified flight instructor as well as 10 hours of solo flight time. The training must include:
Take the Private Pilot Checkride (FAA Practical Test)
Once you have the required flight training, you are eligible for the FAA Practical Exam, also known as a checkride. The exam must be administered by a FFA Designated Pilot Examiner and consists of an oral exam and flight exam. If you successfully complete the oral exam, the examiner will administer the flight exam. Once both are successfully completed, the examiner will assist you with filling out your FAA paperwork and you will receive a temporary private pilot certificate to use until you receive your official FAA certificate in the mail.
Private Pilot Medical Requirements
In order to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, you must hold a minimum of a third-class medical certificate, which can be obtained through an aeromedical examiner (AME). The medical certificate should be done early on in training as you will not be able to solo an airplane without your medical certificate. Certificates must be renewed periodically. If you are under the age of 40, this is every 60 months. If you are over the age of 40, you must renew your medical certificate every 24 months. BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements, including previously holding a medical certificate. Print off a BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician. Then complete an online medical course and you're ready to fly!
There are two, free online courses to choose from:
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the starting point for all pilots. In the United States, a Private Pilot License is termed a Private Pilot Certificate and its purpose it can be compared to a driver's license for automobiles. By earning a private pilot license, you can legally fly an aircraft by yourself and carry non-paying passengers. Flight training includes aircraft maneuvers, navigation, emergency procedures and cross-country flight planning. We are here to train individuals who are seeking a private pilot certificate for hobby or sport and those who are on the path to becoming a commercial or airline pilot!
What Can I Do With my Private Pilot Certificate?
The private pilot certificate allows you to fly in and out of all civil airports. A licensed private pilot may partake in activities ranging from flying to a nearby airport for dinner to traveling across the country. A private pilot can take friends and family flying, practice maneuvers, and become involved in one (or more) of the many programs that introduce people to flying.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Private Pilot Certificate?
The amount of time required to earn a private pilot certificate varies and largely depends on weather, availability, finances, and how often a student is available to fly. If a student has relatively open availability and time to study, a private pilot certificate can be earned in less than three months. For students with limited availability, a private pilot certificate could take months to a couple of years.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Private Pilot Certificate?
In order to receive a private pilot certificate, all candidates will be evaluated by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) during a practical test consisting of an oral portion and a flight portion. Before the exam, private pilot students must meet specific requirements. One of our Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) will provide training and ensure each student meets all aeronautical experience requirements prior to applying for the practical test. Prior to the practical exam, students must also successfully complete a written knowledge exam which can be taken at our testing facility. All candidates must be a minimum of 17 years of age on the date of the practical test to be eligible. In addition, all students must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Reference 14 CFR §61.103 for the entire list of eligibility requirements.
Private Pilot License Requirements
To earn a private pilot certificate, a pilot must:
- Be 17 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand the English language
- Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate
- Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements for the aircraft rating sought
- Pass a practical test for the aircraft rating sought
Aeronautical Requirements
According to federal regulations, you must meet the following aeronautical flight experience requirements to earn a private pilot certificate. At a minimum, private pilot candidates qualified for the practical test will have logged 40 hours of flight time that includes 20 hours of flight training from a certified flight instructor as well as 10 hours of solo flight time. The training must include:
- 3 hours of cross-country flight training
- 3 hours of night flight training consisting of:
- One cross country flight 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 control and maneuvering solely by reference to instruments
- 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test
- 10 hours of solo flight time consisting of:
- 5 hours of solo cross-country time
- One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance with full stop landings at three points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations
- Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower
Take the Private Pilot Checkride (FAA Practical Test)
Once you have the required flight training, you are eligible for the FAA Practical Exam, also known as a checkride. The exam must be administered by a FFA Designated Pilot Examiner and consists of an oral exam and flight exam. If you successfully complete the oral exam, the examiner will administer the flight exam. Once both are successfully completed, the examiner will assist you with filling out your FAA paperwork and you will receive a temporary private pilot certificate to use until you receive your official FAA certificate in the mail.
Private Pilot Medical Requirements
In order to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, you must hold a minimum of a third-class medical certificate, which can be obtained through an aeromedical examiner (AME). The medical certificate should be done early on in training as you will not be able to solo an airplane without your medical certificate. Certificates must be renewed periodically. If you are under the age of 40, this is every 60 months. If you are over the age of 40, you must renew your medical certificate every 24 months. BasicMed is an alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements, including previously holding a medical certificate. Print off a BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC) and get your physical exam with a state-licensed physician. Then complete an online medical course and you're ready to fly!
There are two, free online courses to choose from: