Private Pilot License Requirements

Remember that these are just the general private pilot license requirements. In order to be qualified you must meet the private pilot proficiency requirements and private pilot aeronautical experience requirements.

(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.
(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
             (2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas
(f) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
             (1) Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed below
             (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


This regulations does not get specific about what is required this just outlines what you need. If you notice there are two different sections of training that is required.

1: Aeronautical Knowledge
2: Aeronautical Experience.

I will start here with the Aeronautical Knowledge. There are a lot of subject areas but they are all included in many of the industry standard Private pilot kits and other resources. The regulation for all of this information is listed below.

Private Pilot License Aeronautical Knowledge Requirements

This is the regulation from the FAA. I know it looks like a lot but it is not that bad. This part of the private pilot license requirements need to be signed off by your instructor the he/she has given you ground instruction and found you competent in those required areas.

(a) General. A person who is applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas.
(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
(5) Radio communication procedures;
(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
(9) Weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;
(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(13) Preflight action that includes—
(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered

Private Pilot License Aeronautical Experience Requirements

Now here are the basic Aeronautical Experience. Most flight schools will just list the 40 Hours total and the 10 Hours solo. You need to start asking questions to get a realistic price from the individual Flight School. You have to remember that this is the minimum requirement of the FAA for you to be eligible to take the Private Pilot License Flight Test. Before you take your flight test you have to demonstrate to your instructor that you are a safe and confident pilot.

I will just use the single engine land rating here since this is the most common.

(a) For an airplane single-engine rating, 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 below  

The training must include at least—
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane; This must include:
               (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.
(2) 3 hours of flight training on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments
(3) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
(4) 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 at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 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.

Private Pilot Flight Proficiency Requirements

Now the regulation above states the minimum private pilot license requirements. You have to dig into it a little more because you have to be proficient in all of the maneuvers listed in the flight proficiency regulation.

(a) General. A person who applies for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Areas of operation.

(1) For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Night operations, except as provided in §61.110 of this part; and
(xii) Postflight procedures.


Many flight schools will just quote the minimum requirements on their prices but you need to realize that in most cases getting done in just 40 hours in not realistic to be a safe and confident pilot.
I have explained all of this in detail in My “Learn to Fly Basics Mini Course” and my Free Report “ The cost of learning to fly’ You can get them below.
For a step by step Guide to your Private Pilot License, please visit me at:
Airfreddy’s Private Pilot License Guide

About the Author: Frederick Longe (Airfreddy) has been flying since 1985. He has owned many airplanes and even owned a flight school in Mesa, Arizona . He has logged over 9,000 Hours of flight instruction alone. In 1998 Longe was awarded one of the first Master CFI Designations in the country by the National Association of Flight Instructors. He also has two degrees in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

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