The private pilot certificate allows you to fly for fun, personal travel or business. It is the “stepping stone” to advanced certificates and ratings including the instrument rating or commercial pilot certificate. To operate as a private pilot (or a student pilot who is seeking a private pilot certificate) you will need to obtain a FAA Medical Certificate.

Privileges and Limitations

As a Private Pilot, you may:

  • Act as pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft for which you are rated. If you rent our aircraft, this will include those aircraft for which you have completed a rental checkout.
  • Fly for pleasure, personal travel, or business travel.
  • Carry passengers and share the flight expenses equally.
  • Fly day or night in visual meteorological conditions (generally at least 3 statue miles of visibility, and well clear of clouds).

You may not:

  • Carry passengers for compensation or hire (requires a Commercial Pilot certificate).
  • Fly in instrument meteorological conditions (requires an Instrument Rating).

FAA Training Requirements

  • Minimum 40 hours of flight time, which includes:
    • 10 hours of solo flight time, including:
      • 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time
    • 20 hours of flight training from an instructor, including:
      • 3 hours of instrument flight training
      • 3 hours of night flight training
      • 3 hours of training in preparation for the FAA Private Pilot Practical Test
  • Complete an instructor-administered Pre-Solo Knowledge Test
  • Pass the FAA Private Pilot Airman Knowledge Test
  • Pass the FAA Private Pilot Practical Test (includes a knowledge and skills evaluation)

Remember these are just the FAA minimum requirements! Actual flight time to prepare for the practical test varies; the national average is 100 hours according to FAA data.