The Private Pilot certificate, often referred to as the Private Pilot License (PPL), is your first goal as a pilot. Everyone starts here, regardless of your long-term flying goals. The PPL provides foundational knowledge and skills for all future aircraft pilot training. As a Private Pilot, you can fly an airplane day and night in visual flight conditions (VFR). You can carry passengers (not for hire), such as friends and family, and fly for leisure and personal purposes. With the PPL you’ll learn how to safely operate the aircraft, interpret weather reports, understand FAA regulations, and much more!
To be eligible to pursue your Private Pilot License, you must meet certain requirements, such as:
- Be at least 16 years old to fly solo.
- Be at least 17 years old to receive your private pilot certificate.
- Read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Obtain an FAA medical certificate.
- Perform basic math: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
The FAA requires a baseline minimum of 40 hours of flight before asking to be examined for the PPL. In the USA, the national average is 65 hours of flight to be exam ready, which is a more realistic number to budget on.
