• 37.5 Hours - Aircraft Time - Latest Cessna 172 - G1000 Glass Panel
• 2.5 Hours - FAA Approved Simulator - AATD - Advanced Aviation Training Device
• 50 Hours - Flight and Ground Instruction

What does it take to become a private pilot?

It takes time, money and commitment.
An absence of any of the above will prevent you from reaching your goal. Less of one can be made up for by extra of another but you will need at least some of each.

The FAA requires the following :

Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Flight Experience Summary:

Total Time:

40 hours minimum which consists of at least:

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 T/O's 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; and
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; and
3 T/O's and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

Aeronautical knowledge:

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:

• Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
• Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
• Use of the applicable portions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and FAA advisory circulars;
• Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
• Radio communication procedures;
• Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
• Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
• Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
• Weight and balance computations;
• Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
• Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;
• Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
• 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:

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:

• Preflight preparation;
• Preflight procedures;
• Airport and seaplane base operations;
• Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
• Performance maneuvers;
• Ground reference maneuvers;
• Navigation;
• Slow flight and stalls;
• Basic instrument maneuvers;
• Emergency operations;
• Night operations, except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
• Postflight procedures.

Aeronautical experience:

A person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least:

• 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--
  • One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
  • 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
• 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
• 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
• 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least--
  • 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
  • One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
  • 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.