Ground School, Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Darren Smith, Flight Instructor, CFI Homepage


Home \| Login \| Schedule \| Pilot Store \| 7-Day IFR \| IFR Adventure \| Trip Reports \| Blog \| Fun \| Reviews \| Weather \| Articles \| Links \| Helicopter \| Download \| Bio

Learn to Fly!

Private Pilot Requirements

The following are current FAA requirements for receiving a Private Pilot Certificate:

1. Minimum age of 17. While the student can begin flight training at any age, the student cannot take the practical test (checkride) until age 17.

2. Ability to read, speak, and understand the English language.

3. Hold an FAA Third Class Medical Certificate.

4. Pass the computer based FAA "written" test, which consists of seventy multiple-choice questions covering:

Airplanes and Aerodynamics
Aviation Weather & Weather Services
Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems
Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace
Navigation: Charts, Publications, Flight Computers
Federal Aviation Regulations
Navigation Systems
Airplane Performance & Weight / Balance
Cross-Country Plight Planning - FAA Flight plan form
Aeromedical Factors & Aeronautical Decision Making

5. Flight time requirements- Minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including:

A. Minimum of 20 hours total flight instruction with a Certificated Flight Instructor, including minimum of:

3 hours of cross country flight to other airports - FAA flight plan form
3 hours at night, including 10 takeoffs and landings and one night cross-country flight of at least 100 nautical miles.
3 hours in airplanes in preparation for the Practical Test (Checkride) within 60 days prior to that test.
3 hours of instrument flight training.

B. Minimum of 10 hours of solo flight, including minimum of:

10 hours in airplanes.
5 hours of cross-country flights to airports 50 nautical miles or more distant from the departure airport, including one flight of 150 nautical miles with landings at 3 points, one of which must be more than 50 nautical miles from the departure airport - FAA Flight plan form
3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower.

6. Pass a Practical Test (Checkride) with an FAA Inspector or Designated Examiner, which includes:

A review of the student's logbook, medical certificate, and other paperwork.
An oral exam (usually about an hour long) on aeronautical knowledge.
The proficiency flight in an airplane.

Checkride Resources (download):

     Private Pilot PTS (bottom of the page)
     Private Pilot Quick Reference Card
     FAA Flight Planning Form
     Private Pilot Certificate Rating Worksheet (download)
     Airman Certificate/Rating Application, Form 8710 (download)

Next >>

Your Thoughts...

All content is Copyright 2002-2010 by Darren Smith. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice. This website is not a substitute for competent flight instruction. There are no representations or warranties of any kind made pertaining to this service/information and any warranty, express or implied, is excluded and disclaimed including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. Under no circumstances or theories of liability, including without limitation the negligence of any party, contract, warranty or strict liability in tort, shall the website creator/author or any of its affiliated or related organizations be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages as a result of the use of, or the inability to use, any information provided through this service even if advised of the possibility of such damages. For more information about this website, including the privacy policy, see about this website.

Site Map

Private Pilot Requirements

Checkride Resources (download):

Your Thoughts...