The Private Pilot’s License

Why not let flying become an exciting part of your life? Flying challenges you, builds confidence and offers an opportunity for continuous learning. The sensation of breaking the ties of the earth to fly above the towns and fields to see our world in a way only a few experience is absolutely amazing. Only pilots can understand the freedom that flying an airplane with your own hands can bring. Call Downtown Aviation today to learn how we can help you join our family of pilots!

What are the Basic Requirements for the Private Pilot License?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set forth the requirements for getting a Private Pilot’s License.

To get a private pilot's license, you must:

1) Be at least 17 years old (16 years old to solo)
2) Have a current FAA third-class medical certificate
3) Log at least 40 hours of flight time
4) Have at least 20 hours of flight time with an instructor
5) Have at least 10 hours of solo flight time
6) Pass the FAA Private Pilot Airmen Knowledge written test
7) Pass a FAA Private Pilot practical flight test

Although the FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, the national average completion time for the Private Pilot License is 65-70 hours. Sometimes extra training is needed to meet the FAA’s standards for the required skills. Downtown Aviation’s student pilots have an average of 50 hours when they are sent to be tested for their license.

The amount of flight time necessary to complete your license is in part, a function of how often you can fly. Students who fly twice a week or more are more likely to earn their license with fewer hours logged than those who fly only two or three times a month. At Downtown Aviation, we encourage our student pilots to fly two or three times a week for just this reason. However, we will not pressure you to fly more often than you are able. We treat each student as an individual and will tailor a training program to fit your time constraints, financial abilities and needs.