Introduction
Learning to fly is a rite of passage for many young men and women. It's also a passion for some, who find that it gives them a chance to experience the wonders of the world from above. Becoming a private pilot—and getting your own license—can be quite an adventure, but it's not always easy. It takes dedication, patience, and perseverance if you want to become licensed at any age. Keep reading to find out how!
Learn to fly.
- Find a flight instructor. A good flight instructor can teach you what you need to know in order to become a private pilot, and they'll make sure you're safe while doing so. Instructors are available at most airports, and they will help with everything from learning how to read the instrument panel in your plane (called "avionics") to learning how to take off and land safely.
- Learn how to fly in real planes or on simulators. After finding an instructor, it's time for the fun part: actually flying! You'll spend hours upon hours in a simulator before ever stepping foot into an actual plane, but that's not necessarily bad news—it means you'll have time for plenty of practice before getting out there with other pilots who might get mad if their takeoff is delayed by someone whose skills aren't quite up-to-par yet (or worse). When it comes time for real flights, having a firm grasp on things like takeoff procedures and landing techniques will give everyone involved peace of mind knowing that everyone can handle themselves safely when coming into contact with other aircrafts nearby theirs' paths during landing/takeoff maneuvers."
Meet the requirements.
In order to become a private pilot, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age requirement: You must be at least 17 years old. The FAA sets this age limit because they want pilots to have enough maturity and experience with life in general before being responsible for another person's life. However, there are some exceptions to this rule—the most common one is if you’re 16 years old and have completed your student pilot certificate (more on that later). If you're younger than 16, don't worry—you can still fly when you turn 17!
- Medical requirements: To fly as a private pilot, you need to pass an FAA medical exam each time your second class medical expires. This includes eye exams and blood tests as well as a physical examination by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). There are few exceptions to these rules; but if any of these apply to you, please talk with your doctor regarding flying before proceeding further in your training program or check out Section 3a below!
- Knowledge requirements: Before taking flight lessons from an instructor or school, it's important that both parties agree on what information needs to be covered prior to beginning lessons together so we don't waste any time covering things already known by either party involved in this process. For example; someone who has previously held his/her Private Pilot Certificate may come back after several years off flying planes but still needs updates regarding current laws/regulations governing aviation activities today versus back when he last flew regularly many years ago due primarily because technology advances rapidly during those times when away from aviation training activity--so don't forget about them during conversations about preflight briefings which will be covered later on this page since knowledge about these topics helps ensure everyone involved stays safe while traveling through airspace safely all around us every single day 24 hours per year forever more into eternity until death do us part...
Pass the knowledge test.
The first step to becoming a private pilot is getting your FAA knowledge test out of the way. You'll take this in a classroom setting at any FAA-approved testing center, and it's comprised of 60 questions that you need to answer correctly with 70% accuracy to pass. The test is given three times per week, so there are plenty of opportunities to schedule an appointment with an examiner who can help you prepare for it.
When you arrive at your designated testing center, you'll fill out some paperwork before being led into a room where the exam will be administered by a certified examiner who has been specifically trained on what questions are asked on the test and how best to administer them efficiently.
Pass the practical test.
If you're wondering how long it takes to get your license, here's a breakdown:
- Private Pilot - 60 hours
- Commercial Pilot - 250 hours (50 of which are solo)
- Airline Transport Pilot - 1000 hours (200 of which are solo)
- Flight Instructor Certificate - 100 hours of instruction given and 50 logged flight hours as a student pilot; if already have sport pilot certificate or private pilot license, can take 5 hour course from the FAA to become a flight instructor.
- Flying Club Certificate - 20 logged flight hours with an instructor at an accredited school/club
Private Pilot License Cost.
The cost of a private pilot license varies depending on the type of plane and the training provider. For example, an instructor-led flight training course could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000. Costs are typically higher if you have already obtained some flying experience and would like to take additional ground school courses or add more advanced lessons to your flight training.
In addition to paying for your flight instruction costs, be sure to plan for other expenses that come with earning an FAA certificate:
- Airplane rental fees
- Aircraft maintenance costs (including engine overhauls)
A private pilot license costs anywhere from as little as $2,000 at a local flight school to well over $10,000 for a fully trained professional
- The cost of becoming a private pilot depends on where you live, how much time and money you have to devote to training, and which type of plane you want to learn to fly.
A flight school will charge between $2,000-$10,000 for their classes. This does not include the costs associated with renting an aircraft or purchasing your own airplane. If this is all sounding too expensive for you at the moment (and it probably should), then consider taking advantage of one of these low-cost training options:
- Flight schools often offer introductory lessons at discounted rates if students commit to continuing their studies with them afterwards - ask around!
- You can find many cheap ways online or through friends who already know how to fly that may provide just enough knowledge so you can pass your written exam (written test required before taking practical exam).
Conclusion
Flying is not just a hobby, it's a passion. If you want to become a private pilot and live out this dream then follow these simple steps, learn how to fly, meet the requirements and pass your test. With that said it's important to remember that there are many different types of flying licenses ranging from Recreational (Student Pilot Certificate) all the way up through Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). We highly recommend taking some time weighing your options before starting down any path so as not get overwhelmed by all the information available online!
