Have you always wanted to learn to fly? You may be surprised to find out it does not take all that much time to get you up in the sky flying on your own.
To be eligible to pursue your Private Pilot License in the USA, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old to fly solo.
- Be at least 17 years old to receive your private pilot certificate.
- Read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Obtain at least a third-class medical certificate.
- Perform basic math: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also requires the following for an Airplane Single Engine Rating:
Total Time: 40 hours minimum which consists of at least:
Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:
- 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane;
- 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:
a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance; and
b) 10 T/O’s and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport. - 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
- 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.
Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:
- 5 hours of solo cross country flying;
- 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings; and
- 3 T/O’s and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.
Airman Knowledge Test computer “written” examination for which you:
- Must be at least 15 years old;
- Answer 60 questions within 2.5 hours
- Pass with a score of a minimum of 70 percent
Most people really love the flying portion, but don’t want to spend time studying for the required written examination. Using a good PPL Knowledge Test preparation course online has helped many pilots successfully pass the exam.