How to Become a Private Pilot

Guide Note

Becoming a private pilot has never been easier. There are multiple flight schools around the country with instructors ready to show you how to pilot a plane. From finding the right school to understanding the time and money you'll need to invest, this page will show you everything you need to learn how to fly for yourself.

Table of Contents

Mahalo Daily: How to Become a Private Pilot

Introduction

(Photo by Dominic Morel)
(Photo by Dominic Morel)
  • A private pilot certificate means you can fly anywhere. Want to take a day trip to Martha's Vineyard? Jump in your flying club's plane and go. Want to impress your visiting in-laws? Take them up for a spin! Although getting a private pilot's certificate can bring a lot of pleasure, it is a big commitment in both time and money.
  • Read the next section to understand what a private pilot license entails, and to make sure it's the right decision for you.

The Basics of a Private Pilot Certificate

  • To get a private pilot certificate you must be 17 and able to read and write English. Unlike a sport pilot, who is only permitted to fly light sport aircraft, and a recreational pilot who is restricted to single-engine planes, a private pilot can fly any type of aircraft (with the appropriate endorsements). Of course this freedom comes after a longer training period, which means more expenses: students getting their private license can expect to spend between $5,000 and $9,000. The different license types are outlined below.
  • Private Pilot
  • (Photo by Dominic Morel)
    (Photo by Dominic Morel)
  1. Training time: 40 hours, although many students fly up to 70 hours before getting certified.
    • The required time drops to 35 hours in an FAA-approved school, but since most students take more than 40 hours of training anyway, the reduced licensing time is often moot.
  2. Must get medical certificate to fly solo.
  3. No limit on aircraft, number of passengers, or when you can fly (although some flying conditions may require you to have additional training).
    • Good for: Pilots who want to be able to fly what they want when they want, and who do not have limits on the time and money they can spend to get a pilot's license.
  • Recreational Pilot
  1. Training time: 30 hours.
  2. Must get medical certificate before you can fly solo.
  3. Limited to daytime flights.
  4. No long trips: must remain within 50 nautical miles of your home airport (where you took lessons).
  5. Cannot fly in airspace where air traffic control communications are needed.
  6. Must only fly single-engine planes.
  7. Permitted only one passenger.
    • Good for: People who want to fly short trips near their home base, and who will appreciate the savings that come with a shorter training period. You can apply your recreational pilot hours to get your private pilot's license; if you decide later you want to change your certification you'll already be well on your way.
    • Visit Mahalo's guide to getting your recreational pilot certificate for more information.
  • Sport Pilot
  • (Photo by Scott Snyder)
    (Photo by Scott Snyder)
  1. Training time: 20 hours.
  2. Can only fly light sport aircraft.
  3. Can only carry one passenger.
  4. Must fly below 10,000 feet.
  5. Can only fly during the day.

Step 1: Check Your Fitness to Fly

  • As a prospective recreational pilot, you'll need to meet with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) who can certify that you meet the FAA's medical requirements for pilots.
  1. Find an AME with the FAA's AME locator.
  2. You may need to get special permission to fly if you suffer from diabetes, hypertension, or motion sickness.
  3. You can be disqualified for conditions such as: having a pacemaker; epilepsy; or coronary heart disease.
  4. Check the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)'s list of the FAA's medical requirements for more details.
    • TIP: If you're about to turn 40, get your medical certificate before your birthday. A certificate when you're 39 is valid for 36 months; if you get it when you're 40 it is only valid for 24 months.

Step 2: Find a Flight School

  • Once you know you're fit to fly, it's time to find someone to teach you how to do it!
  1. Check AOPA's flight school directory and flight instructor listings.
  2. Or look at the FAA's listing of flight schools.
  3. When you find nearby schools, call and ask what their instructional rates are. Usually you'll pay the instructor and pay an hourly rental fee for your aircraft.
  4. Once you find a school and know the rates you'll be paying, use this calculator to figure out how much you'll need to pay for your lessons.
  5. If you need help paying for lessons, AOPA has resources that may help you find a loan or scholarship.

Step 3: Your Training

  • Your instructor will show you how to pilot your plane (and will be the one to decide when you're ready to fly solo!). But don't think that it's all fun and games in your plane: you also need to take a knowledge test to prove you're ready to fly.
(Creative Commons photo by Bob MacInnes)
(Creative Commons photo by Bob MacInnes)
  1. You'll have 40 hours of training: including 20 hours with your instructor and 10 hours flying solo.
    • Many student pilots need more than the minimum hours of instruction before they're ready be certified.
  2. Your instructor will give you an endorsement certificate when you're ready to fly on your own.
  3. To get your license, an FAA examiner will administer a practical test where you demonstrate your proficiency in your plane and your knowledge during an oral exam.
  4. You can review the FAA's practical test standards to prepare.
  5. You also need to take a knowledge test to prove you're ready to be licensed.
  6. The FAA has sample test questions WARNING: PDF File. you can download to help you study for your test.
  7. You can find a location to take your knowledge test on this FAA file WARNING: PDF File..

Step 4: You Have Your Private Pilot License

  • Congratulations! You've now got a certificate and can fly on your own. Now you just need to find a plane!
  1. Many pilots rent planes from the same airport where they took their lessons.
  2. You may also consider joining a flying club. The club owns the planes: members pay dues and then rental fees when they want to fly.
  3. Or, if you have the money, you can always buy your own plane!
  4. AOPA states that operating costs for a private airplane can run between $2,000 and $8,000 per year.
  5. Whatever method you choose, make sure you stay up-to-date with refresher training and flight reviews, so that your license remains valid.

Conclusion

  • Congratulations on becoming a private pilot! Now the sky's your oyster: you can get endorsed to fly any plane, at any time, in any weather. So go out their and enjoy your new journey!

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