Private Pilot Certificate
A private pilot certificate allows you to:
- Fly day or night, in VFR (Visual Flight Rules – flight by outside visual references).
- Carry passengers with a limitless range of where you want to go.
To hold a private pilot certificate you must meet the following requirements:
- Pass a basic medical exam.
- Be at least 17 years old to obtain your license – but you may begin training at any age!
- Must be a citizen of the U.S. (or obtain TSA approval before training – PSA will assist in qualifying)
Training Requirements:
While the FAA prescribes a minimum flight time requirement of 40 hours, the national average time for a Private Pilot is between 65 to 75 hours. Below we have laid out costing for the minimum (40 hours) and the average time (70 hours) to give you a realistic look at what it costs to train.
- 30 Hours of Dual Training to include:
- 3 hours of Cross Country
- 3 hours of Night Training
- 3 hours of Instrument Training
- 3 hours in preparation of flight test
- 10 hours of solo flight to include:
- 5 hours of cross-country (airport over 50 miles from departure point)
- 3 takeoff and landings at an airport with an operating control tower