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Chart Your Course to Private Pilot Status

Become a Private Pilot

As an FAA Certificated Private Pilot, you gain the freedom to fly on your terms. Unlike a sport pilot, you are not limited by a 10,000-foot ceiling, can fly anywhere, and have the flexibility to operate at night and carry multiple passengers. This certification allows you to explore a wide range of destinations and bring along friends and family, all while enjoying the autonomy to fly whenever and wherever you choose.

  • With your private pilot rating, you’ll fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which permits navigation and operation in clear weather conditions while maintaining visual awareness of the aircraft’s surroundings and other aircraft.
  • Training includes both in-flight and ground instruction. While individual ground training with an instructor is available, we recommend enrolling in Springs Aviation’s comprehensive Private Pilot Ground School for cost efficiency.
  • For those transitioning from rotor wing to fixed wing, Springs Aviation offers specialized training to ensure a smooth shift. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the differences, ensuring a safe and effective transition from helicopter to Cessna.

Private Pilot Certificate Requirements

Discover the essential steps and qualifications needed to earn your Private Pilot Certificate and take to the skies with confidence.

40 hours

Minimum Total Time

  • 10 night takeoffs and landings

  • 1 night cross-country flight (100+ nm)

  • 3 hours cross-country flight instruction

  • 3 hours night instruction

20 hours

Flight Training

  • Basic Maneuvers and Controls 

  • Emergency Procedures Training

  • Navigation Skills Development

  • Practical Flight Experience

  • Personalized Instructor Guidance

10 hours

Solo Time

  • 5 hours solo cross-country flight

  • 1 solo cross-country flight (150+ nm)

  • Full stop landings at 3 different airports

  • Takeoff and landings practice

3 LDGS

Landings

  • 3 full stop landings at a towered airport

  • Traffic pattern work

  • Communications practice with tower

  • Approach and landing execution

Key Steps to Earning Your Wings

Achieving your pilot's license requires dedication, training, and meeting specific FAA standards.

To obtain a Private Pilot license, you need a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, though the national average is about 65-70 hours. It’s prudent to anticipate 50-60 hours to complete your training.

In addition, you must pass a written knowledge exam and a practical test, which assesses your flying skills to FAA standards, administered by a designated pilot examiner.

Before you can take these tests, you need to become a student pilot, meet the hour requirements, and secure the necessary endorsements from your flight instructor. You must also:

  • Be at least 17 years old (for all aircraft except gliders and balloons)
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
  • Pass both the written knowledge test and the practical exam (which includes an oral component and a checkride)
  • Be at least 16 years old (or reach 16 by the time of solo flight).
  • Read, speak, write, and understand English.
  • Obtain a Third Class or higher medical certificate from an FAA-authorized doctor.
  • Non-U.S. citizens must apply to the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) and complete a TSA background check.
  • Obtain a knowledge test endorsement per 61.103.d.
  • Secure logbook endorsements for the practical test.
  • Meet aeronautical experience requirements per 61.109, including:
    • 40 hours total flight time, which must include:
      • 20 hours of flight training, including:
        • 3 hours of night training, with a cross-country flight of 100+ NM and 10 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop.
        • 3 hours of instrument training.
        • 3 hours of cross-country flight training.
        • 3 hours of practical test preparation within 60 days prior to the test.
      • 10 hours of solo flight time, including:
        • 5 hours of cross-country flight time, with one cross-country flight of 150+ miles, including one leg of 50+ miles, and full stop landings at 3 different airports.
        • 3 full stop landings at an airport with an operating control tower.

*These detailed requirements ensure that every step you take brings you closer to becoming a skilled and confident pilot.

Private Pilot Certificate Costs

The cost of earning your private pilot certificate depends on how many hours you spend in the plane and with your instructor. While the FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours, most students take closer to 70 hours to complete their training. Our goal is to help students complete their training in around 50 hours. We encourage all our students to study, chair-fly at home, and fly regularly to retain lesson information and progress more efficiently.

To help you achieve this, we offer a pre-paid Private Pilot package. For a discounted cost, this bundle includes 60 hours of airplane rental, 60 hours of instruction, and the Private Pilot Ground School. Get started with your training and secure your spot today!

Enroll in the Pre-Paid Program

Understanding Training Costs

Estimating how many hours it will take to learn to fly can be difficult.

It's wise to budget for more hours than anticipated. Factors like weather, maintenance, and scheduling delays can consume time, as you'll need to maintain proficiency before your test.

Hourly airplane rental often represents the largest training expense. For a Cessna 172, average rates are around $190 per hour wet (including fuel). Check our rates here.

Investing in a Springs Aviation Instructor is a smart choice. At just $55 per hour, our instructor rates are among the most affordable in the country.

Instruction costs apply to both ground and flight training, and ground training is essential for your success.

Books, charts, plotters, E6B calculators, bags, headsets, and more—these costs are minor compared to airplane rentals but are essential to consider.

While Springs students can borrow a headset, having your own can enhance comfort.

For all your gear needs, we recommend Quest Pilot Supplies.

Testing fees are an important expense to plan for. The written exam costs $175 per attempt, and the practical test (checkride) typically requires a minimum of $850 for the examiner. Additionally, you’ll need to account for the cost of renting the airplane for the duration of the checkride.

Give us a call to reserve your spot

Begin Your Career Today!