private pilot certificate

The Federal Aviation Administration governs the requirements to become a Private Pilot under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart E (sections 102-118). They are summarized here but the governing law can change, so always check the regulations!

To begin, you must be able to speak, read and write the English language.

At your Practical Exam (check ride), you must be at least 17 years of age (for airplanes), but you can train at an earlier age.

You must possess a valid Third-Class Medical certificate or operate under “BasicMed” (see 14 CFR Part 61.113(i)). The BasicMed medical requirements are slightly more involved than using a Driver’s License under the Sport Pilot rules. You will need a specific medical exam by a state-licensed Doctor and carry an appropriately completed medical checklist in your logbook if you choose to fly under BasicMed. See our “Bar Talk” Blog on this subject.

You must log at least 40 hours of flight time; at least 20 hours with an instructor and at least 10 hours solo. There are many other requirements for the flight time including cross-country, night and some instrument flight training (see 14 CFR 61.109 for more details).

Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Exam.

Pass the Practical Exam with an Examiner.

Once you are certified as a Private Pilot, you can fly single-engine land airplanes throughout the US and foreign countries day or night outside clouds, including some limited operations for business and charitable purposes. If operating under BasicMed, additional restrictions apply.

This certificate gives the most flexibility and capability for the expense in time and money.