Private Pilot

Flight Training

Private Pilot's License

Most people begin their flight training with the goal of earning their Private Pilot’s License. As a Private Pilot, you can fly most single-engine airplanes, day or night. You can carry family, friends, pets, or baggage while you fly to exciting destinations and share the joy of private air travel. We generally use the Citabria 7ECA or Cessna 172 airplanes for Private Pilot flight training, but we tailor our training to your needs.

After Private Pilot, most people continue on to earn endorsements, ratings, or even another license. Please see our Flight Training page for an outline of training options and the general progression of flight training.

Requirements for Private Pilot License

At least 17 years of age
Third class medical certificate
Complete stages A, B, C and D
FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test (passing grade is 70%)
FAA practical test
Flight training as listed in Flight Hour Requirements (below):

Flight Hour Requirements for Private Pilot License

The FAA minimum is 40 hours of flight time. The national average is 65-85 hours. Actual flight hours will vary with each student. We take pride in the quality of our instruction and that we have been in business of flight training for over 50 years. We do not train just to pass the test; we train you to be a proficient, skilled and safe pilot.

Total flight time in any category and class of aircraft at least 40 hrs and must include the following:

Dual flight training minimum in any aircraft at least 20 hrs including:

3 hrs dual cross country in a single engine airplane
3 hrs dual night time in a single engine airplane
- Including one dual cross country night flight over 100 nm
- Including 10 takeoffs and landings at night dual to full stop
3 hrs dual instrument time (hood or actual) in single engine airplane
3 hrs dual checkride prep in a single engine airplane in past 2 calendar months

Solo flight minimum in single engine airplane 10 hrs including:

5 hrs solo cross country time in single engine airplane
- Including one flight over 150 nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 50 nm
3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with a working control tower

* Night Time is any flight time between the end of evening civil twilight and the start of morning civil twilight. Easiest place to find these is

* Cross Country flight must include a landing at an airport more than 50 nautical (not statute) miles from the original point of departure. Additional cross country requirements apply – e.g. night XC must be over 100nm total. The long solo XC has to include one leg of over 50 nm, plus be over 150 nm total.

Private Pilot License Course Outline

Check out our Ground School page also, which is strongly recommended to help you pass the FAA Knowledge Test.

We have our own Syllabus & Maneuver’s Guide for Private Pilot flight training, Cessna and Citabria versions. This allows us to streamline your training based on our years of experience in the industry. Both of these documents should be purchased once you begin flight training, and they can be found at any of our locations.

Stage A – Pre Solo

Time: Approximately 15-25 hrs flight instruction, 5 hrs ground instruction
Basic Maneuvers: Take-offs, climbs, straight and level flight, airspeed changes, turns, descents, landings, Air Traffic Control procedures, etc.
Certificates: none required for training with instructor
Exams: None required for training with instructor, there will be stage checks with the Chief Pilot

Stage B – Solo and Post Solo

You need to be at least 16 years of age to fly an airplane solo.
Certificates: Medical and Student Pilot Certificate
Exams: Open book exam administered by instructor, 2nd Stage check with Chief Pilot
Time: 10 hrs solo minimum (including 3 supervised solo flights)
Maneuvers: Practice basic fundamentals, flight test maneuvers, airport pattern entry, exit procedures, advanced take-offs and landing techniques, performance maneuvers

Stage C – Cross Country Preparation and Cross Country Flight

Time: Around 5 hrs cross country flight instruction; at least 3 hours instrument flight instruction and at least 3 hours night flying instruction; at least 5 hours solo cross country flight
Maneuvers: navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning and radio navigation; night flight; flight by reference to instruments (without seeing outside)

Stage D – Flight Test Preparation

Time: As required to exceed the required standards
Maneuvers: Flight test maneuvers as required by the FAA Practical Test Standards
Exam: Stage check with Chief Instructor must be completed, FAA private pilot knowledge exam multi-choice test, 3 hrs. Preparation for FAA knowledge exam should be started as soon as possible. Ground School is recommended.
Note: Preparation for the FAA flight test will normally be done at the same time as the cross country and other training. However, recommendation ride for flight test is not given until student has passed FAA written exam.
Flight Test: Approximately 3 hrs ground time, 2 hrs air time with FAA examiner.

Estimated Cost

Total hours on our private pilot syllabus: 50 hours including approximately 40 hours dual and 10 hours solo.
Total cost based on our private pilot curriculum (includes airplane rental and dual instruction) – approximately $9500 -$12000.
Rates: Please select your location for Aircraft and Instructor Rates

Cost of ground school (optional) – $300 tuition for the complete course or $30 per session for sixteen sessions. Tuition does not include cost of books and materials (approximately $100-150).
Books and materials – a supply of recommended study materials, references, study kits, plotters, computers, maps, log books, etc. is available at AeroDynamic Aviation. We have our own Private Pilot Syllabus & Maneuvers Guide.

Cessna or Citabria?

You can train in either a tricycle-gear airplane, such as the Cessna 172, or you can earn your license in a tailwheel aircraft, like the Citabria 7ECA. Please see our aircraft for details. Click here for an article from Budd Davison regarding the pros and cons of each.

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Prices and rates are subject to change without notice. All training and rentals are subject to the terms and conditions in the Renter’s Agreement. Minimum 24 hours’ notice required for cancellation or you may be charged for the rental time.

C Flight training, california, pilot, monterey, san jose, salinas, private pilot, tailwheel ome fly with us in the beautiful San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas of California. Our flight school facilities are located at Reid Hillview airport in San Jose (KRHV), at the south end of San Francisco Bay, Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS), and Monterey Regional Airport (KMRY). We offer ground and flight training for sport pilot, private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, multi-engine, ATP, CFI, tailwheel, aerobatics, and mountain flying.

Ready to schedule a flight? Have a question? Give us a call!

San Jose (408) 320-9614

Monterey/Salinas (831) 373-8320

You can also reach us via email with our Contact Form