Private Pilot Certificate

Your Guide to the PPL





Requirements

Hours:


40 Hours of Total Time Logged
20 Hours of Dual Flight Training, including:
  • 3 Hours of Cross Country Training in an Airplane
  • 3 Hours of Night Flying, also including:
    1. One cross country flight over 100nm in distance, and
    2. 10 Takeoffs and Landings to a full stop at night involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
  • 3 Hours of Flight Traning by reference to instruments only
  • 3 Hours of Flight Training in a single engine airplane within 60 days of the practical test
10 Hours of Solo Time, including:
  • 5 Hours of Solo Cross Country Flying
  • 1 Solo Cross Country Flight of at least 150nm with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and L/D.
  • 3 Takeoffs and Landings to a full stop at an airport with a control tower

Eligibility

You must:

  1. Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
  2. Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
  3. 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.
  4. Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
    • 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
    • Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
  5. Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in §61.105(b) of this part.
  6. Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
    • Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
    • Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
  7. Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical test.
  8. Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
  9. Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
  10. Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.

Aeronautical Knowledge:

  1. 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.
  2. 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—
      • 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
      • How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

Flight Proficiency

  1. 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.
  2. Areas of operation - For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:
    1. Preflight preparation;
    2. Preflight procedures;
    3. Airport and seaplane base operations;
    4. Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
    5. Performance maneuvers;
    6. Ground reference maneuvers;
    7. Navigation;
    8. Slow flight and stalls;
    9. Basic instrument maneuvers;
    10. Emergency operations;
    11. Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
    12. Postflight procedures.

Guides

Knowledgebase Articles on FlyHdg360

Privileges and Limitations
PPL - ATP
Article
VFR Sectional Charts
PPL/CPL
Article
Aviation Weather
PPL - ATP
Article
Weight and Balance Calculations
PPL
Article
Aircraft Performance
PPL
Article
Aerodynamics and Lift
General
Article
Aeronautical Decision Making
General
Article
Preflight Inspections
General
Article
Radio Communications
General
Article

Cost

So, what will your PPL cost? Here are some average numbers.

Assumptions
  • Cessna 172-S (180hp) - $130/hr wet + $50/hr for instructor = $180/hr
  • Average Total Time to PPL: 60-75 hours - we will assume 65
  • Part 61 Instruction (Part 91 tends to be more expensive)

Item Est Hrs Est Cost Total Cost
Dual Flight Training 50 $180 /hr $9,000
Solo Flying 15 $130 /hr $1,950
Ground Training 10 $50 /hr $500
Written Exam + Prep Course $170
Checkride 2 $800 + $130 /hr $1,030
TOTAL $11,620



Assumptions
  • Cessna 152 (110hp) - $99/hr wet + $45/hr for instructor = $144/hr
  • Average Total Time to PPL: 60-75 hours - we will assume 65
  • Part 61 Instruction (Part 91 tends to be more expensive)

Item Est Hrs Est Cost Total Cost
Dual Flight Training 50 $144 /hr $7,200
Solo Flying 15 $99 /hr $1,485
Ground Training 10 $45 /hr $450
Written Exam + Prep Course $170
Checkride 2 $800 + $99 /hr $998
TOTAL $10,303

Recommended Aircraft for the PPL

C172
Cessna 172 (160hp-180hp)
Average Hourly (Wet): $110-160 /hr

The Cessna 172 is a tried and tested flight training aircraft. It will keep costs affordable while providing you with more power and performance. The C172 is also a very forgiving aircraft with slow stall speeds and many models that serve different purposes.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Performance
  • Forgiving
  • Widely Available

Cons:

  • High Wing - if that's not your thing
  • Useful Load

Note: C172-M, -P, -R models $100-130 /hr, -S model $120-$140 /hr, -S G1000 model $140-$180 /hr

Cessna 172 Skyhawk
C152
Cessna 152 (100-110hp)
Average Hourly (Wet): $90-105 /hr

The Cessna 152 is also a very common flight training aircraft. It is widely considered the most affordable aircraft to fly and shares many characteristics with the C172. However, it suffers in the performance and cruise speed categories and has a much lower useful load (only two seats).

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Very Manuverable
  • Forgiving
  • Widely Available

Cons:

  • High Wing - if that's not your thing
  • Useful Load
  • Cramped for larger people
  • 110hp engine - not much power
  • Slow cruise speed
Cessna 152
PA-28
Piper PA-28 (150 hp)
Average Hourly (Wet): $130-180 /hr

The PA-28 is a flight training workhorse. Boasting a low wing design, the PA-28 has a faster cruise speed (rg models) and looks like a "real" airplane.

Pros:

  • Manuverable
  • Low-Wing
  • Widely Available

Cons:

  • Usually Priced Higher

Note: Complex model with retractable gear at higher end of rate

Piper PA-28 Cherokee 140