The minimum training required for the private license is 40
hours. If 20 are with the instructor and 20 solo, the cost would
be $4800. Most people require more than 40 hours; but it
depends on your motivation, schedule, aptitude and the study
techniques you use. It takes most students bewteen 55 and 65 hours and six months to get their private pilot certificate.

Minimum Training Consists of:

Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane.
3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:

a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance; and
b) 10 take offs and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane.
3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.
Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

5 hours of solo cross country flying;
1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings.
3 T/O's and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

Ground School

You can order a ground school kit from any number of online ground school companies. Some of the bigs ones are Gleim, Kings Schools and Jeppesen. The prices vary, but you pay as little as $125 for a private pilot kit. The kit will include all the books you need to study for your FAA written test. Most kits will also include a plotter and E6b flight calculator, and a case.

Most of your study will be at home at your own pace. We have pre-flight and post flight sessions where we will answer any questions you might have about your self paced ground school.

Tests required to get your certificate

You will take two test to get your certificate. The first is a written test. All the information you need to pass that test is in your private pilot hhome study course. The second test is your private pilot checkride, which consists of two parts. The first part is an oral exam and the second is your practicle flying test.