What is a Private Pilot?
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is a certification allowing you to fly aircraft for personal, non-commercial purposes, acting as Pilot in Command (PIC) for recreation, but not getting paid to fly passengers or cargo.
It's the first step for most pilots, requiring age (17+), English proficiency, a medical certificate, and passing written/practical exams after flight training. The national average is 60-75 hours of training to get your PPL.
How long does it take to get my Private Pilot's License?
Getting a private pilot license generally takes 3 to 6 months for most students, with total training times ranging from 50 to 75 flight hours. While the minimum FAA requirement is 40 hours, the national average is higher due to individual student habits. Full-time training can take as little as 1–3 months.
Key Factors Affecting Timeline:
Training Intensity: Flying 3+ times per week speeds up completion, whereas 1–2 times per week drags training out.
Consistency: Regularly scheduled lessons prevent skill degradation and the need to repeat training, saving time and money.
How much does it cost?
Most people will spend $12,000-15,000 getting their Private Pilot's License. Cost depends on individual student habits and training consistency. The national average is 60 hours to get your PPL.
Approximate Cost Breakdown:
60hrs airplane rental: $130/hr = $7,800
50hrs flight instruction: $70/hr = $3,500
10hrs ground instruction: $70/hr = $700
Headset, books, written exam, Foreflight: ~$1000
Examiner fee: ~$1000
What are the minimum requirements to get my license?
To earn a private pilot certificate, a pilot must:
Be 17 years of age
Read, speak, write and understand the English language
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
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 an authorized instructor as well as 10 hours of solo flight. 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
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