Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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The minimum flight time required to earn a private pilot certificate is 40 hours, including 10 hours of solo time. Most students earn their Private Certificate in 60 to 70 hours of flight time, depending on scheduling, consistency, and learning style. An average cost would be around $18,300.
60 hours x $130 aircraft rental (dry) = $7,800
60 hours x $85 aircraft fuel (10 gph @ $8.50) = $5,100
40 hours x $70 flight instructor = $2,800
20 hours x $70 ground Instruction = $1,400
$1,200 - $1,500: varied costs for written test, checkride fees, medical, books
You can begin flight training at any age! There is no minimum age to start learning how to fly. However, there are age requirements for certain milestones. To fly solo, you must be at least 16 years old. To earn a private pilot certificate, you must be at least 17 years old.
To begin flight training, you'll need to bring a valid ID (either a driver's license & birth certificate or a passport)! Before you solo, you'll need to have at least a Third-Class FAA Medical, which is completed with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). It is recommended to have a medical before you start flight training to ensure you qualify for one. However, you can start flight training without it.
Schedule a discovery flight! Discovery flights are a fun and low-pressure way to try flying for the first time. You'll get to take the controls and see if aviation is right for you. We can chat in person about your goals and what comes next.
Flying 2-3 times a week is ideal for retaining skills and building momentum! Less than that is totally okay, but you may need a bit of review each lesson.
Ideally, we would fly a minimum of 2 times per week. We would also meet for ground school 2 times per week. You would need to dedicate around 5-10 hours each week to studying on your own.