To be eligible for a student pilot certificate:
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
- Be able to obtain at least a 3rd Class Airman Medical Certificate*.
* A student pilot certificate is used during training and is often combined with a medical certificate at the time that the medical certificate is issued. An individual in training is not eligible to solo without a student pilot certificate and medical certificate, however, training can begin without them if it is being conducted with a flight instructor present for each flight.
Eligibility requirements: Private Pilot.
- Be at least 17 years of age.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
- Log at least 40 hours of flight time with the training including at least:
- 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor
- 10 hours of solo flight training
The 20 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of solo flight time is further broken down with additional requirements on the details of what will be accomplished during those times. It is important to note that the 40 hours is a minimum time set forth by the FAA, but it is common to see closer to 55-60 hrs of flight time in logbooks before someone is competent to pass the tests to the standards set forth in the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards that the FAA has issued as a guideline for the testing process.
Understanding the requirements and regulations can seem overwhelming or confusing at first. Don't worry! We do this for a living and will make sure you have met the requirements by the time you are ready to take your test. Guiding you through your flight training process is our job and we are happy to help you out.
