Private Pilot Training
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Private Pilot Training
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Becoming a Private Pilot – Step by Step
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The private pilot certificate is the one held by most active pilots. It lets you fly just about any aircraft (subject to appropriate ratings) for any noncommercial purpose, enables you to carry multiple passengers, and fly at night and in more types of airspace with no distance restrictions.
There are a lot of different ways you can become a private pilot, but these are the basic steps you will take:
To become a private pilot, you must be able to read, write, and understand English, and meet the minimum age requirements — you have to be at least 16 to solo as a student pilot (14 for gliders), and at least 17 to get your private pilot certificate (16 for gliders).
If you haven't already, contact your local EAA chapter and take your free introductory flight , giving yourself a look at the freedom and fun of personal aviation.
In addition to helping arrange your first flight, not to mention the fun and camaraderie of spending time with people who love to fly, EAA chapters are great sources of advice and mentorship that can help you with every step of your journey toward becoming a pilot. You can find the chapters nearest you here .
Learning to fly costs money, but we can help. EAA offers scholarships to help with flight training, both directly and through your local EAA chapter. In addition, while most student pilots rent an airplane while training, in some cases buying or even building an airplane can be a cost-effective way to get started. One of the best ways you can get affordable access to an airplane is by joining — or even starting — a flying club .
Depending on your learning style, you have a general option of enrolling in a formal flight school or working one-on-one with an independent flight instructor. Once again, members of a nearby EAA chapter can help you learn what's available in your area and offer advice based on their experiences. The most important thing to remember is that you are in charge of your training, and it's very important that you have a healthy and trusting relationship with the person teaching you to fly.
Here's a list of things to consider when choosing a flight instructor .
Before you can fly solo as part of your training, you need a student pilot certificate from the FAA. Your instructor or flight school will guide you through the process of obtaining one.
To be a private pilot, you must have what's called a medical certificate, which you get from an FAA-approved doctor after a physical examination. While the exam itself is straightforward, it is vital that you understand its scope before scheduling an appointment, as the denial of a medical certificate can be complicated and costly to rectify. If you have any questions about your health, any underlying conditions, or regular medications, EAA has resources that can help.
Once the paperwork and medical exam are out of the way, it's time to start learning. You'll train in the airplane, of course, as your instructor has you take the controls on your very first lesson. You'll do a lot of studying on the ground as well, both with your flight instructor and on your own, as you hit the books and prepare for the written test. If you're training at a formal flight school, they will likely offer a ground school as well, where you'll work in a traditional classroom setting to learn the material. Many people prefer to self-study and learn at their own pace, reading books and taking online courses from companies like Sporty's. (Note: Sporty's online ground school course is free for student members of EAA.)
Once you've finished your ground school, whether independently or as part of a class, it's time to take the written test. An endorsement from your instructor or the course provider is required, and the test must be taken by appointment at an FAA-approved testing facility. It's generally up to you to decide when you want to take the FAA written exam for your private pilot certificate, but our recommendation is that sooner is better. Here are some tips to help you understand what goes into passing the test.
This will be one of the most memorable days of your life, the first time you fly an airplane entirely by yourself. You're still a student pilot at this stage, but, with as few as eight to 10 hours of instruction, your instructor will send you up on your own. You'll stay close to your home airport, and usually do three takeoffs and landings while your instructor watches from the ground. This is a major milestone worth celebrating!
Once you've soloed, the rest of your training will be a mix of flying by yourself and with your instructor as you study things like navigation and cross-country flying, night flying, emergency procedures, practicing maneuvers, and more. The legal minimum amount of flying time (both solo and with your instructor) required is 35 hours in a formal flight school or 40 hours with an individual instructor, but the average time required is closer to 60 to 80 hours.
You've passed the written test, built up the required flying time, and your instructor says you're ready. This is where it all comes together. On the day of your final exam, called a checkride, you'll actually take two tests with an FAA-approved examiner: first, an oral examination where you'll be quizzed extensively on your knowledge of everything from aircraft systems to rules and regulations. Once you pass that portion, then you'll get in the airplane and demonstrate what you've learned.
Once you earn your private pilot certificate, the opportunities are limitless. From lunchtime "$100 hamburger" trips to family vacations, volunteer humanitarian flights to a hop around the patch at sunset just because the sky looks so nice, becoming a pilot is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever accomplish.
Student pilot certificate FAA medical certificate Passport/Birth certificate (TSA approval if not US Citizen) Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English
This is where you put into practice all of your skills, so you can make satisfying takeoffs and landings on your own.
Here you practice airport operations, takeoffs and landings, emergency procedures, and ground reference maneuvers in order to ensure you are ready for solo flight. You will also receive a pre-solo briefing as well as take a pre-solo knowledge test.
After passing a progress check to ensure you are safe and ready to fly on your own, you will take your exciting first solo flight that you will remember for a lifetime.
6. Getting Ready For Cross-country Flying
In this phase, you learn short- and soft-field takeoff and landing techniques, navigation, and control of the airplane by reference to the flight display.
Here you learn the steps involved in planning and flying a safe and successful cross-country. You will receive a solo cross- country briefing and take your flight school’s knowledge test. After passing a progress check, you will complete your first solo cross-country flight.
8. Flying At Night (Private Pilot Course Only)
In this phase you discover what night flying is all about by taking both a local and a cross-country flight at night.
9. Polishing Your Skills (Private Pilot Course Only)
Here you go on your longest solo cross-country flight and wrap up any loose ends with your training.
10. Final Preparation For Your Practical Test
In the final phase, you review everything you have learned. After passing the final progress check, you have completed the course and are ready for the FAA practical test.
What to expect in your first solo flight?
Looking To Finance Your Flight Training?
The Commercial Pilot Course was not only enjoyable but had me absolutely prepared to pass the check ride. Your facility is top-notch and all the aircraft are modern and in excellent shape, but your instructors and staff and their preparation and willingness to put in the extra effort really made the difference.
Thank you for the Instrument Rating training SunState Aviation provided me. Chris, Sherrie and Joe did a great job training me – and prepping me for my written, oral and practical Instrument Rating exam.
3008 Patrick Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
fly@sunstateaviation.com
1-800-941-4359
Your private pilot license will be one of the most exciting courses you ever complete. I use an example of learning to drive a vehicle and how exciting that was. However, you were a passenger in the vehicle for years prior to learning to drive. Most of us were never in an airplane prior to learning to fly. Now, sit back, you are cleared for take-off!
A minimum of 35 hours of flight training
This will consist of solo flight, dual training flight, cross-country flight, night flight, simulated instrument flight, and more.
Progress checks with senior flight staff to evaluate and fine-tune your training
Student must be: 16 years old to solo & 17 years old to earn their private pilot license
Student must be able to Read, Speak and Write the English language.
Student must be a US Citizen, or complete a TSA security clearance.
In this phase you learn what makes your airplane fly, how to control your airplane in flight, and how to know if your airplane is airworthy.
Here you add to your skill set the maneuvers that allow you to fly more precisely. You hone the basic skills you have already learned, and develop safety habits that will serve you well throughout your flying career. You will also fly with another instructor to check your progress.
Watch two of our past students solo for the first time in our video blog. Both have successfully obtained their private pilot certificates.
SunState Aviation has over 16,000 sq. ft. state of the art training center and a fleet of 11 training aircraft. These aircraft include Cessna 172S, Garmin G1000 Glass Cockpit, Traffic Avoidance Radar, Weather Radar, and more.
If you’re looking for financing options check out Sunstate Aviation’s financing and loan options!
I have to say this, I been with SunState aviation for about 6 months and since day one it has been my only choice without a regret, very helpful and professional people as well as the best airplanes that you will ever find in an aviation school.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
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