To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:
1. Be at least 17 years of age
2. Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language
3. Hold at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate
4. Pass the FAA written exam with a score of 70% or better
5. Pass an oral and practical flight test on procedures and maneuvers selected by an FAA examiner
Required Aeronautical Experience
An applicant for a private pilot certificate must have had at least a total of 40 hours of flight instruction and solo time which must include the following:
Twenty (20) hours of flight instruction from a certified flight instructor, including at least:
- Three hours of cross country flight (airport-to-airport, min. distance of 50 nautical miles)
- Three hours of simulated instrument flight training
- Three hours at night, including 10 takeoffs and landings at night
- Three hours of preparation for the private pilot flight test within the 60 days prior to that test.
Ten (10) hours of solo flight time, including at least:
- Five hours of cross-country flight, each flight with a landing point more than 50 NM from the original departure point. One flight must be of at least 150 NM with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is at least 50 NM from the original departure point.
- Three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.