Private Pilot Certificate
A private pilot certificate allows you to:
- Allowed to fly day or night, in VFR (Visual Flight Rules – flight by outside visual references).
- Allows you to 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
Private Pilot Training in the Cessna 172S
| Private Pilot Training in the Cessna 172 | ||
| Cessna 172 | $160 | |
| Instructor | $70 | |
| Sim | $80 | |
| Private Pilot Training - Minimum Time (40 hours) | Private Pilot Training - Average Time (70 hours) | ||||||
| Hours | Trg Device | Cost / Hr | Total | Hours | Trg Device | Cost / Hr | Total |
| 10 | SIM | $150.00 | $1,500.00 | 10 | SIM | $150.00 | $1,500.00 |
| 30 | CE 172 Dual | $230.00 | $6,900.00 | 50 | CE 172 Dual | $230.00 | $11,500.00 |
| 10 | CE 172 Solo | $160.00 | $1,600.00 | 10 | CE 172 Solo | $160.00 | $1,600.00 |
| 15 | Ground | $70.00 | $1,050.00 | 30 | Ground | $70.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Pilot Supplies | $300.00 | Pilot Supplies | $300.00 | ||||
| Knowledge Test | $150.00 | Knowledge Test | $150.00 | ||||
| Practical Test | $750 | Practical Test | $750.00 | ||||
| Total | $12,250.00 | Total | $17,900.00 | ||||
Private Pilot Training in the Cessna 152
| Private Pilot Training in the Cessna 152 | ||
| Cessna 152 | $110 | |
| Instructor | $70 | |
| Sim | $80 | |
| Private Pilot Training - Minimum Time (40 hours) | Private Pilot Training - Average Time (70 hours) | ||||||
| Hours | Trg Device | Cost / Hr | Total | Hours | Trg Device | Cost / Hr | Total |
| 10 | SIM | $150.00 | $1,500.00 | 10 | SIM | $150.00 | $1,500.00 |
| 30 | CE 152 Dual | $180.00 | $5,400.00 | 50 | CE 152 Dual | $180.00 | $9,000.00 |
| 10 | CE 152 Solo | $110.00 | $1,100.00 | 10 | CE 152 Solo | $110.00 | $1,100.00 |
| 15 | Ground | $70.00 | $1,050.00 | 30 | Ground | $70.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Pilot Supplies | $300.00 | Pilot Supplies | $300.00 | ||||
| Knowledge Test | $150.00 | Knowledge Test | $150.00 | ||||
| Final Exam | $750.00 | Knowledge Test | $750.00 | ||||
| Total Cost | $10,250.00 | Total Cost | $14,900.00 | ||||
What can I do after I have my Private Pilot Certificate?
Complex and High Performance Endorsement