Private Pilot License

Your Gateway to the Sky

The Private Pilot License (PPL) is your entry point into aviation. It allows you to fly single-engine aircraft VFR, carry passengers, and fly for personal or recreational purposes, day or night.

MINIMUM AGE

Required for graduation

17

TRAINING PATHS

Part 61 & Part 141

Both available at Bravo

MINIMUM HOURS

40 / 35

Part 61 / Part 141

NATIONAL AVERAGE

65 hours

Total flight time

What Training Looks Like

Private pilot training follows a structured path from your first ground lesson to your checkride.

Here’s what to expect at each phase.

GROUND SCHOOL

Complete Sporty’s online ground school covering aerodynamics, weather theory, navigation, FAA regulations, and aircraft systems. You’ll need to pass the FAA written knowledge test before your checkride, and ground school prepares you for it. We recommend starting ground school alongside your flight training rather than before it. Neither has to be completed first, they complement each other and reinforce what you’re learning in the aircraft.

BASIC FLIGHT TRAINING

Your first lessons focus on getting comfortable in the aircraft. You’ll learn the fundamentals of aircraft control, including straight-and-level flight, coordinated turns, climbs, and descents — building the muscle memory you’ll carry throughout your career.

PATTERN WORKS AND LANDINGS

Takeoffs and landings are where most early training time is spent, and for good reason. You’ll practice normal, crosswind, short-field, and soft-field techniques until they become second nature.

FIRST SOLO

After your instructor signs you off, you’ll fly the aircraft alone for the first time. It’s one of the most memorable moments in any pilot’s career, and proof that you’re ready to keep going.

CROSS-COUNTRY & NIGHT FLYING

You’ll plan and fly navigation routes beyond 50 nautical miles, work with VOR and GPS navigation, and complete required night flying hours. This phase builds the real-world decision-making that separates students from pilots.

CHECKRIDE PREP & PRACTICAL TEST

Your instructor will walk you through every task on the FAA Airman Certification Standards, first in a mock oral, then in the air. When you sit down with the examiner, there are no surprises.

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FAA REQUIREMENTS

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

These requirements must be met by the time of your checkride, not before you start training. We’ll guide you through each one.

AGE

Must be at least 17 years old to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate (16 to fly solo).

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Must hold at least a Third Class Medical Certificate issued by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.

FLIGHT HOURS

Minimum 40 hours total flight time (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141), including solo, cross-country, and instrument time.

KNOWLEDGE TEST

Must pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test with a score of 70% or higher.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

HOURLY REQUIREMENTS

PART 61 vs. PART 141

PART 61

  • 40 hours total flight time

  • 20 hours flight training with an authorized instructor

  • 10 hours solo flight time

  • 3 hours cross-country flight training

  • 3 hours night flight training (including 1 cross-country over 100nm and 10 takeoffs and landings)

  • 3 hours instrument flight training

  • 3 hours checkride prep within 2 calendar months

  • 5 hours solo cross-country, including one flight over 150nm with full-stop landings at 3 points

PART 141

  • 35 hours total flight time

  • 20 hours flight training with an authorized instructor

  • 5 hours solo flight time

  • 3 hours cross-country flight training

  • 3 hours night flight training

  • 3 hours instrument flight training

  • 3 hours checkride prep within 2 calendar months

  • Solo cross-country requirements per FAA-approved curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions?

  • The time varies based on how often you fly and your learning pace. Most students complete their training in 3-6 months when flying 2-3 times per week. The FAA minimum is 40 hours (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141), but the national average is around 60-70 hours.

  • Total cost depends on how many flight hours you need to reach proficiency. Visit our Rates page for current aircraft and instructor rates. We recommend budgeting for 50-70 hours of flight time plus ground school, written exam fees, and checkride fees.

  • You can fly yourself and passengers for personal travel, sightseeing, or recreation. You can fly in visual conditions (VFR) during day or night. You cannot fly for hire or compensation. Many pilots use it for family trips, business travel, or as a stepping stone to advanced ratings.

  • No, you can begin flight training while completing ground school. Many students find it helpful to learn concepts in ground school and then apply them during their flights. However, you must pass the written exam before your checkride.

  • You need at least a Third Class Medical Certificate for private pilot privileges. You can find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) through the FAA’s website. The exam includes vision, hearing, and general health screening.

  • A private pilot license only allows you to fly in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, meaning you must stay clear of clouds and maintain certain visibility. To fly in clouds or low visibility conditions, you need an Instrument Rating, which is the next step for many pilots.

WHERE WE ARE

Our Locations

We operate out of two airports in the Mid-Atlantic region.

 

Frederick Municipal Airport

KFDK

330 Aviation Way C, Frederick, MD 21701

 

Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport

KMRB

214 Aviation Way, Martinsburg, WV 25405

Ready to Get Started?

There’s no better time to begin than right now. Take the next step, and we’ll walk you through everything and have you in the air before you know it.

ENROLL NOW!
ENROLL NOW!