Private Pilot

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Private Pilot Eligibility  

✈ 16 Years of Age to Solo  

✈ 17 Years of Age for License  

✈ Must obtain FAA Medical Certificate   

✈ Must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language   

Next Steps   

✈ Attend a Ground School or Self Study Program   

✈ Schedule 2-3 lessons per week (we fly in New England after all and the weather changes hourly).       We suggest two-hour block lessons to maximize best learning practices.   

Privileges   

✈ Fly Day or Night in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Conditions   

✈ Carry Passengers   

✈ Rent our Single Engine Airplanes  

Flight Experience (minimum requirements)  

40 hours of flight 

• 5 hours solo cross-country 
• One solo cross-country of 150 nautical miles total distance with 3 full stops, one leg > 50 nautical miles between each leg. 
• 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. 
• 20 hours of flight with an instructor 
• 10 hours of solo flight 
• 3 hours of cross-country flight training 
• 3 hours of night flight training 
• 1 cross country of over 100 nautical miles 
• 10 takeoff and 10 landings to a full stop(with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) 
• 3 hours of instrument flight training 
• 3 hours flight training in preparation of practical test <= 2 months of test 
• Pass FAA written test (aeronautical knowledge) 
• Pass FAA check ride (flight proficiency) 
• The overall cost of obtaining a private pilot certificate will vary from person to person mainly because a student pilot can only obtain a certificate upon demonstrating their complete proficiency in the operation of an aircraft and everyone’s learning is different. The current estimated cost breakdown is based on the average student pilot who flies one to two times per week and acquires their certificate in 55 hours.  
• See current estimated cost breakdown sheet. 

The instrument rating is the natural next step after your private pilot certificate (PPL) allowing you to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Whether you are looking to become a professional pilot or are just a weekend adventurer, this rating adds a level of safety and competence to fly in IMC.  Being  New Englanders, this rating is a must! You never know when weather can change.  

• Instrument Training (14CFR61.65)   

Privileges  

✈ Operate as Pilot-In-Command in Instrument Meteorological Conditions  

Requirements  

• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate, or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate, with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought. 
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. 
• Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the instrument rating sought. 
• Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required knowledge test. 
• Pass FAA written examination. 
• Pass FAA practical examination.  

Flight Experience  

• 50 Hours of cross country flight as pilot in command. At least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes equipped for an instrument-airplane rating.  

40 Hours of actual or simulated instrument time

• 15 Hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for  which the instrument rating is sought. 
• 3 Hours of preparation instruction within 60 days prior to the practical exam. 
• Note: A maximum of 20   hours may be performed in a flight simulator or flight training  device with an authorized instructor. 
• IFR 250 NM cross country flight along airways or ATC-directed routing;
•  Includes an instrument approach at each airport; and 
• Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems  
• See current estimated cost sheet.  

Like the instrument rating, a commercial certificate is beneficial for both career-oriented pilots as well as hobbyists. The commercial training refines a pilot’s skills, resulting in more precise flying. This inevitably adds an extra level of safety for the pilot and his / her passengers. Perhaps the greatest benefit of this certificate is the ability to fly for hire (receive compensation for flying).  

Commercial (14CFR61.121)  

General  

✈ Must be 18 Years of Age   

✈ Must obtain FAA Medical Certificate   

✈ Must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language   

Aeronautical knowledge 

• Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to commercial pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations
• Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board; 
• Basic aerodynamics and the principles of flight; 
• Meteorology to include recognition of critical weather situations, windshear recognition and avoidance, and the use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts; 
• Safe and efficient operation of aircraft; 
• Weight and balance computations; 
• Use of performance charts; 
• Significance and effects of exceeding aircraft performance limitations;
• Use of aeronautical charts and a magnetic compass for pilotage and dead reckoning; 
• Use of air navigation facilities; 
• Aeronautical decision making and judgment; 
• Principles and functions of aircraft systems; 
• Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations appropriate to the aircraft; 
• Night and high-altitude operations; 

Procedures for operating within the National Airspace System; and Procedures for flight and ground training for lighter-than-air ratings.  

Flight proficiency 

Areas of operation. For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:  

• Preflight preparation; 
• Preflight procedures; 
• Airport and seaplane base operations; 
• Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; 
• Performance maneuvers; 
• Ground reference maneuvers; 
• Navigation; 
• Slow flight and stalls; 
• Emergency operations; 
• High-altitude operations; and Postflight procedures. 

Flight Experience  

✈ Hold an Instrument rating. Can be done with a Private but very limited. 

✈For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least: 

✈ 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. 

• 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— 
• 50 hours in airplanes; and 
• 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes. 

✈ 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(b)(1) of this part that includes at least

• Ten hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device including attitude instrument flying, partial panel skills, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, and intercepting and tracking navigational systems. Five hours of the 10 hours required on instrument training must be in a single engine airplane 
• 10 hours of training in a complex airplane, a turbine-powered airplane, or a technically advanced airplane (TAA) that meets the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section, or any combination thereof. The airplane must be appropriate to land or sea for the rating sought; 
• One 2-hour cross country flight in a single engine airplane in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; 
• One 2-hour cross country flight in a single engine airplane in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and 
• Three hours in a single-engine airplane with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 

✈ 10 hours of solo flight time in a single engine airplane or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a single engine airplane with an authorized instructor on board (either of which may be credited towards the flight time requirement under paragraph (a)(2) of this section), on the areas of operation listed under §61.127(b)(1) that include

• One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have a straight-line distance of at least 150 nautical miles; and 
• 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
• Pass a FAA written, 70% or higher 
• Pass FAA check ride 

Generating an accurate estimated cost of obtaining a commercial certificate is a daunting task, primarily due to the fact that candidates typically have varied levels of experience. This estimate assumes that the candidate holds an instrument rating and is within close range of the 250-hour total time requirement. “Feel free to call us to discuss your individual circumstance. 

We would be happy to create a plan to suit your individual needs. 

 See current estimated worksheet.