Private Pilot Course

The Private Pilot license is the foundation for your journey in aviation, and the first pilot certificate you will earn. This certificate not only allows you to fly alone, but it also allows you to carry passengers. With this certificate, you can rent or buy your own plane and fly your family and friends.

• Be at least 16 years old to solo. (But you can start before 16)
• Be at least 17 years old to earn a Private Pilot Certificate
• Be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Obtain at least a 3rd Class Medical Certificate.
• Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor.
• Pass an FAA Written Knowledge Test.
• Pass a Practical Test with an FAA examiner where your aeronautical knowledge and flying skills will be tested

40 hours total time in aircraft

20 hours dual flight instruction with an authorized instructor that consists of:

• 3 hours of Cross Country time (a flight of more than 50 nautical miles to another airport)
• 3 hours instrument training
• 3 hours of checkride prep
• 3 hours of of night time

10 hours of solo time

The legal minimum amount of hours required for the private pilot license is 40; however, student pilots are seldom prepared for a checkride with only 40 hours. Some students complete private training in as little as 50 hours, while others require more time. As shown by the 2019 FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) review and AOPA Flight Training Experience survey, the nationwide average number of hours taken to get the private pilot license is 70. This estimate assumes you will use 70 hours of flight time in our dual Garmin G5 Cessna 172, our least expensive option, with a discount for 20+hours paid upfront.

Here is a realistic breakdown of how much this course will cost.

• Medical: $200
• Study materials: $250
• Sporty's ground school: $300
• Private pilot written exam (PAR): $175
• 10 hours of one on one ground lessons: $300
• 70 hours of dual instruction flight time at $180 per hour: $12,600
• $1,000 for the checkride (final test)

               Total estimated costs come to $14,825

The instrument rating gives you precision and confidence in all conditions. This added rating to your private pilot certificate allows you to fly solely by reference to instruments under IFR (Instrument flight rules). This means you would be able to fly through clouds and other conditions that would otherwise obstruct your view of the horizon and the airport environment.

• Hold at least a Private Pilot license
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the english language

• Log 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command
• Log 40 hours of simulated IMC flight time
• Log 15 hours of instrument flight instruction from an authorized instructor

Total cost estimated upon logbook review

The commercial pilot certificate allows you to receive money or compensation for your flying services. In this training, you will learn mastery in your craft. The commercial practical test demands in-depth knowledge of specific flight maneuvers, emergency procedures, and regulations that govern when you are allowed to get paid, among other topics.

• Hold at least a private pilot certificate
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold at least a second-class medical
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
• Pass the required knowledge test
• Pass the required practical test

• 250 hours of flight time, 100 hours of which must be in powered aircraft, and 50 must be in airplanes.
• 100 hours of pilot-in-command time, 50 of which must be in airplanes.
• 50 hours of cross-country time, 10 of which must be in an airplane.
• 20 hours of training, including 10 of instrument, 10 of complex or TAA, and a smattering of cross-country and practical test preparation.
• 10 hours of solo training, including a smattering of cross-country and night.

Total cost estimated upon logbook review