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Private Pilot Flight Training
The Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine Land certificate is one of the most popular primary pilot certifications you can achieve. Private pilots fly for recreation, to travel longer distances in shorter time, for family vacations, and on business trips.
As a private pilot you can fly most single engine aircraft, you can fly at night too but you cannot fly for pay—that requires a commercial pilot certificate, or in the clouds without an instrument rating.
Private Pilot Flight-Training FAQs (Click for Dropdown)
Private Pilot (Airplane) Flight-Training:
The FAA requires all private pilot applicants to prove they can meet the national private pilot airmen certification standards. This is done through completion of flight training, passing a knowledge test, and passing a check-ride, also called the practical test. You’ll have the opportunity to developed flying and risk management skills along with a wealth of aeronautical knowledge.
The FAA’s minimum requirements are:
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- 40 flight hour minimum (recommended 55-70 flight hours)
- FAA medical certificate (Visit FAA Medical Certification for info)
- Can fly under day or night visual flight rules (VFR) unless instrument rating is obtained
- Be at least 16 to solo an airplane
- Be at least 17 to test for a private pilot airplane certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Pass an FAA private pilot knowledge test. TakeWING is a testing center. (click for more on: FAA aeronautical knowledge tests)
- Pass a the private pilot practical exam (oral and flight) “check ride”
- 40 flight hour minimum (recommended 55-70 flight hours)
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How long should I expect my private pilot training to take?
Flight hours v. calendar days. We want you to complete your training in as short as possible amount of time as it will take to make you a safe pilot. The FAA requires applicants training under Part 61 of the code of Federal Aviation Regulations to have a minimum of 40 flight-hours, pass an aeronautical knowledge test, and pass a practical test (oral and flight test) for certification as a private pilot.
There’s usually a conflict between finishing your pilot certificate within the FAA’s minimum flight time requirements and fitting the training into your “real-life” of living and working.
Most working adults are not able to devote enough personal time both at the airport and at home (study-time) to complete knowledge and flight hour requirements within the FAA minimums. A reasonable goal is about 50 to 70 flight hours and between 12 to 18 months for completing private pilot training.
How often should I schedule lessons?
For best results plan on one or two lessons and two to four hours of home study per week.
TakeWING offers you a self-paced training program with flexible lesson times. You can choose a different day and/or time(s) each week to meet your personal and work-day preferences. However, you will also need to put aside time at home to complete assignments and study aeronautical subjects. Much of this is done using the Cessna web-based ground school course—the most modern training curriculum available today (Click here for the Cessna web-based program).
A typical lesson session is from 2 to 3 hours.
How much does private pilot training cost?
If you take weekly lessons and meet lesson objectives and standards consistently the estimated cost of your training will be between $15,000 and $17,000. This cost estimate is base on more-than the minimum flight and instructional hours! For busy adults and high school students a part time, pay-as-you-train, self-paced program works best. An average 2-hour lesson including aircraft and instruction (ground and flight) will cost $270.
Our Rates and Fees:
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- Instructor fee: $65 per hour
- Aircraft rental: C172 (Skyhawk) $146 per hour (including fuel, insurance)
- Club Dues: $90/mo
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Other Costs:
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- FAA medical +/- $120 (depending on the doctor)
- FAA student pilot certificate application processing fee: $45
- Initial costs for books and pilot training software and consumables
- TakeWING club application and school orientation: $200
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*Cost estimates are based on higher than minimum hour completion times. Prices are subject to change without notice.
IFR Flight-Training FAQs (Click for Dropdown)
Is an instrument rating necessary?
Obtaining an instrument rating will give you better piloting skills and enhance your ability to fly when VFR is not recommended or allowed. To learn more about Cessna’s Instrument Course Click Here.
After you receive your private pilot certificate you will undoubtedly want to take trips and vacations. This will be a lot of fun and a time saver. Then bad weather sets in, and without an instrument rating, you can be grounded for days. This rating states that you are qualified to fly in less than V.F.R (visual flight rule) conditions (basically a license to fly in the clouds, fog, rain, etc. in instrument meteorological conditions (I.M.C). This rating is useful when trying to make long flights of 300–600 nautical miles, which often involve bad weather that requires instrument skills.
What Are the Requirements for an Instrument Rating — Airplane?
You must hold at least a private pilot certificate to begin instrument flight training. Our flight instructors are experienced instrument instructor pilots and will work with you to make sure you learn using modern methods and the latest avionics equipment. If you would like to know the exact requirements for the rating, contact us. For the specific FAA regulation on obtaining your instrument rating click here: CFR 61.65
Instrument Rating Airplane Airman Certification Standards
How long does it take to earn an instrument rating?
As with all other pilot training, how long you take to get your instrument rating depends on many factors, including how current you are, how many flight hours you cross-country flight hours you already have, how many lessons you schedule per week, your study habits, weather conditions, your familiarity with the aircraft’s systems, and the air-traffic control environment. The instrument rating is not an easy pilot rating to acquire but the Cessna Instrument Training Curriculum gives you all the tools to make it faster and easier to understand.
TakeWING also offers IPCs (instrument proficiency checks) for aircraft owners.
The flight instructor certificate is a professional career path and is regarded as an essential key to all future aviation career paths. To learn more about our CFI and CFII training course contact us 541-895-5935
OUR AIRCRAFT
C172N, 160HP, IFR
We Promise to Teach You How to Be a Safe Pilot
When you’re ready to talk with a real person—Call Us! 541-895-5935
TakeWING Aviation Club provides you with aircraft rental and instruction. Each aircraft is meticulously maintained and we expect all of our club members to be good stewards of our resources.
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