PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE (PPL)
The Private Pilot Certificate is your entry point into the world of aviation. This foundational license allows you to fly most single-engine airplanes within the national airspace system, giving you the freedom to travel, explore, and share the skies with family and friends. Whether your dream is to fly for fun or to launch a professional aviation career, this certificate is the first step on your journey. What You’ll Learn: Aircraft maneuvers and safe handling Navigation and flight planning, including cross-country trips Emergency procedures and in-flight decision making The knowledge and confidence to fly independently Earning your Private Pilot Certificate is not only a personal achievement—it’s the gateway to advanced training and the foundation for careers in commercial and airline aviation.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Aircraft maneuvers and safe handling
- Navigation and flight planning, including cross-country trips
- Emergency procedures and in-flight decision making
- The knowledge and confidence to fly independently
Earning your Private Pilot Certificate is not only a personal achievement—it’s the gateway to advanced training and the foundation for careers in commercial and airline aviation.
FAA REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATE PILOT (PPL)
Eligibility
17+ years old (may start training at any age)
Read/speak/write English
3rd class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner
Logbook endorsement of training and experience from an authorized instructor to include the following:
Flight Experience (minimum)
- 40 hrs total (flight time to include 20 hrs of instruction and 10 hrs solo)
- 3 hrs cross-country flight training
- 3 hrs flight training by reference to instruments
- 3 hrs flight training with an authorized instructor, performed within the preceding two calendar months
Night Instruction - 3Hrs (to include)
- 1 cross-country flight over 100 nautical miles total distance
- 10 takeoffs and 100 landings to a full stop (with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
Solo Flight Time - 10 Hrs (to include)
- 5 hrs of solo cross-country time
- 1 solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations
- 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop (with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower
Knowledge / Skills Tests
- FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test