Private Pilot License Course Outline

FAA minimum is 40 hours; more likely is 70-75 hours. Actual flight hours will vary with each student. We do not train just to pass the test; we will train you to be a proficient, skilled and safe pilot.

Prerequisite: Student Pilot License, FAA written test, Medical: Class I, II, or III

Cost: Approximately $8500-$9500

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

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

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: Federal Air Regulations, Airplane Operational Characteristics, administered by instructor

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: FAA private pilot written exam, open book multi-choice test, 3 hrs. Preparation for FAA written 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 1 ½ hrs ground time, 1 ½ hrs air time with FAA examiner.

Summary Requirements for Private Pilot License

At least 17 years of age

Third class medical certificate

Complete stages A, B, C and D

FAA written private test (passing grade is 70)

FAA flight test

Flight training as listed below:

Flight Hour Requirements for Private Pilot License:

(All times are the bare minimums, expect more)

Total flight time minimum 40 hrs to include:

 Flight training (dual) minimum 20 hrs including:

1 -- Dual cross country in a single engine airplane at least 3hrs

2 -- Dual night time in a single engine airplane at least 3 hrs, including one night dual cross country night flight over 100nm, 10 takeoffs and landings night dual to full stop

3 -- Dual instrument time (hood or actual) in single engine airplane at least 3 hrs

4 -- Dual in a single engine airplane in past 60 days at least 3 hrs

Solo flight minimum in single engine airplane 10 hrs including:

1 -- Solo cross country time in single engine airplane 5 hrs, including one flight over 150nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 50nm

2 -- Three Solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with a control tower

Estimated hours and costs:

• Total hrs on private pilot curriculum: approximately 60 hrs including about 30-35 hrs dual and 25 to 30 hrs solo.

• Total cost on private pilot curriculum (includes airplane rental and dual instruction) - approximately $6500 to $7500.

• Present rate: Airplane rental ranges from $80.00 - $90.00 an hour, instructor time is $40.00 an hour. Total cost is about $120-$140 an hour per lesson.

• Cost of ground school - $225 tuition for the complete course or $20 per session for sixteen sessions. Tuition does not include cost of books and materials.

• Books and materials - a supply of recommended study materials, references, study kits, plotters, computers, maps, log books, etc. are available at Red Bluff Airport.

 

Prices and rates are subject to change without notice. All training and rentals are subject to the terms and conditions in the Renters' Agreement.

Come and fly with us in the beautiful Northern California area. Our flight school is located on the Red Bluff airport were we offer ground and flight training for sport pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot license, instrument rating, CFI (certified flight instructor), tailwheel and certificates and ratings.

Appointments and reservations may be made at (530) 517-0215, or by email to info@NorCal-LSA.com