One of the most common questions I get as a Flight Instructor is "How long does it take to get your flying license?"
The legal answer is 40 hours minimum (Part 61 training), which in essence isn't a terrible amount of time. 40 hours is just one work week, right? Well, it isn't that simple. Learning to fly is not a walk in the park. According to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), and Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), the drop out rate when learning to fly is over 80%.
On top of that, the average time it takes to achieve a Private Pilot Certificate is 75 hours in the United States.
Flight training is going to take everything you got to achieve the certificate you're after.
In today's modern age of flying, the information and knowledge that is out there to help you achieve your certificate has never been more plentiful. Ground schools are popping up left and right, instructors are on platforms like YouTube giving you lessons for free, and of course there are your professionally ran ground schools like Gold Seal whose whole business model is providing the most up to date information and helping you pass your written exam.
My biggest piece of advice for you is to STUDY your ground school as much and as often as possible. This will help tremendously during your initial training. Your foundation is everything. Study ONE module a day and after 30 days you'd be amazed at where your knowledge is at and how far you have progressed. Plus, it will coincide with your flight training, creating those "a-ha!" moments.
So, what is the legal, down to the sentence regulation for the requirements to achieve a Private Pilot Certificate?
First, let's get into the eligibility requirements to see if you can actually start your flight training.
§ 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(d) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training or reviewed the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part.
(f) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
(g) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical test.
(h) Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
(i) Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
Meet the bare minimum requirements? Great! Now lets get into the actual flight training requirements.
§ 61.109 Aeronautical experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
Boom, there's the brass tax for what it is going to take to achieve your Private Pilot Certificate.
In my experience, flying at least 2 to 3 times a week (more is better if able), for about 4 to 5 months, will get you dialed in and checkride ready, if not, complete!
How do you get started? What is the first step?
Glad you asked!
I highly recommend a Discovery Flight. This is essentially a "test drive" where you go to your local airport, meet an instructor, hop in the plane and go for an hour flight. You will know almost immediately if this is something you want to do! Also, this first flight is loggable time towards your certificate!
Next step, if you know you want to continue, is to get your Medical from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). While you don't have to get it right away, getting it within your first 10 hours of training will be beneficial because if there is anything hindering your ability to hold an aviation medical, you can't continue flight training.
Last but not least HAVE FUN! For thousands of years humans have looked to the skies and wondered what it must be like to fly like the birds. Now we live in a time era that allows us the opportunity! It won't be easy, but it will be well worth it and then you can join the 1% of the world's population of saying you're a pilot!
Blue skies and safe flying my friends!
-Jeff Lively Jr