there are soooo many ways to get started. let us give you some advice.
Before we get too far into this…
There are requirements for a Private Pilot certificate. Be sure you can meet these requirements before you get started. If you are curious where I got this information from, Google 61.103 Private Pilot Eligibility Requirements.
1. There is no minimum age to start your flight training, technically. You have to be at least 17 years old when you are issued a Private Pilot certificate, but you can do your first solo flight at 16 years old.
2. You have to at least have a Third Class Medical to before you are issued a Private Pilot certificate.
3. You must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
4. You must have some form of government issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or a passport.
5. You must take and pass the Private Pilot written test. It is 60 questions, all multiple choice, and a 70% or better is required to pass.
Some of this stuff sounds confusing, but don’t worry! We will discuss these items later on. These items are just a checklist to ensure you are eligible for a Private Pilot’s license. (:
The ‘Why?’
Why do you want to achieve your Private Pilot’s license?
Is this for you or are you researching on someone’s behalf?
Either way there should be plenty information here on how to get started!
Do you want to be an airline pilot or a recreational aviator?
The path to your Private differs slightly here… but we will touch on that later.
Airline pilots…
If you want to become an airline pilot.. DO IT! It is so much fun and absolutely worth the initial buy in cost. This page is just what you need for some guidance.
for fun pilots…
Our guide here will give you just the right information you need to feel confident walking into any flight school to start your training!
Private Pilot Requirements
Sooooo… what do you need?
The first thing we recommend doing, especially if you want to be an airline pilot, is to get your medical!
Classes of medical certificates
There are three classes of medical certificates.
1. First Class. You need a First Class medial certificate when exercising Airline Transport Pilot privileges.
2. Second Class. You need a Second Class medical certificate when exercising Commercial Pilot privileges.
3. Third Class. You need a Third Class medical certificate when exercising Private Pilot privileges.
A Medical Certificate is just a piece of paper certifying you as fit to fly as deemed by a representative of the FAA.
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU GET?
AIRLINE PILOTS
Get your First Class Medical certificate! Yes, even before you start your flight training you want to get a First Class medical. Why? Not only do you want to have a history of being issued a First Class medical certificate, you want to make sure you can get one before you throw thousands of dollars into your training! Costs are usually $150 to $200 for a First Class Medical.
FOR FUN?
We recommended getting a Third Class Medical! They’re easier to get than a First Class, and usually cheaper! You don’t need a First or Second Class medical to achieve your Private Pilot’s license, so if you’re doing this for fun then all you will need is a Third Class! Costs are usually around $75 to $100.
HOW TO GET A MEDICAL?
To get a medical you will need to find an Aviation Medical Examiner(AME). The FAA has a webpage where you can search for AME’s in your area. Click here.
In our experience, we recommend a Google search for AME’s in your area. Don’t be alarmed if it’s a family clinic or a doctor’s office, a lot of AME’s are normal doctor’s too!
Once you get your medical, look into what items you should have when you start flight training!
Pilot necessities
What stuff should you have before you start?
Every pilot should have a couple things before they get started…
A CURRENT FAR/AIM
The FAR/AIM is the bible of aviation, if you will. It’s a fat book with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations(FARs). A paper copy is what we recommend. You can purchase a copy on Amazon for roughly $20.
Aviation Headset
You don’t need a fancy headset. A simple two plug headset is all you really need. There are a couple cheaper options around the $140 range like the AvComms. The David Clarks are a little pricier at around $380 but generally more comfortable.
LOGBOOK
A pilot logbook is necessary to log any flight and ground training along with any endorsements you receive. We recommend the Jeppesen Professional Pilot Logbook. It’s a little on the larger side, but it has all the necessary columns with empty columns in case you want to customize your logbook.
PENS
Get you some good pens! Some pilot 0.38 pens are sweet… or whatever kind of pen you want! We recommend something with a fine tip so it makes your logbook look sharp!
NOT NECESSARY… but nice to have
If you’re feeling extra, we have some ideas…
These items are not necessary at all! These are just nice to have.
an ipad with cellular
If you have the extra cash, an iPad with cellular is nice to have! Our advice is to get an iPad mini. You absolutely can get a larger iPad, however sometimes a big iPad can be inconvenient when flying an airplane. We recommend purchasing an iPad with cellular. This will allow you to track your flights live and store them if you have a ForeFlight subscription…
Foreflight susbscription
A ForeFlight subscription goes hand in hand if you have an iPad. Before you pay for your subscription, verify with the flight school you may possibly enroll in! Some flight schools offer a discounted price or include ForeFlight as a student enrolled in their program!
Study Materials
Any FAA document is free to use if you are okay with digital copies. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge(PHAK), Airplane Flying Handbook, and the FAR/AIM are a few examples of free documents we absolutely recommend having before you begin flight training.
Test Prep Software
For every license/rating you will need to take a written test. There is test prep software out there that we highly recommend. For your Private we recommend purchasing the Gleim Private Pilot Written Test Prep.
We know how it goes. Sometimes studying SUCKS. Studying for your written test is always the last thing you want to do, especially when it’s hours at a computer/iPad just memorizing questions and answers but we cannot emphasize the importance to take it seriously! You need 70% to pass and the Private Pilot written test is 60 questions. You must take this written test before you can be eligible to take your Private Pilot checkride.
so i have all the stuff, what now?
Where should I go to school?
There are tons of options… so lets look into them.
Part 141 versus part 61
Part 141 flight schools are mostly flight schools associated with a college degree, however not all are. All Part 141 means is the flight school has special authorization from the FAA to conduct training under their unique training syllabus. This means you can earn your licenses without having to meet all the requirements under Part 61.
Part 61 flight schools are independent flight schools, usually what we sometimes refer to as a “mom & pop” school. All Part 61 flight schools must adhere to the requirements of training under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations(FARs).
Benefits of part 141 vs part 61
The large benefit of a Part 141 flight school is that you do not need to meet all the hour requirements listed in Part 61. This allows you to get your certificates at lower hours. However, this does NOT mean it is always cheaper. Part 141 provides the benefits of an outlined training course usually focused around prepping you for a career as a pilot in the airlines and you pay a premium for it.
The downside of Part 141 flight training is the extended wait times for tests during your training. This includes stagechecks and End-of-Course(EOC) exams that require approval from the Chief Pilot of the flight school. Imagine stagechecks as a general check-in on how you are progressing during your flight training. EOCs are tests that allow you to demonstrate your skills to pass a Private Pilot Checkride. At some Part 141 schools your EOC is actually your checkride. This only applies to schools that possess this authorization. It is called “In-house examining authority”. This allows the flight school to issue a certificate rather than the tradional way of conducting a checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner(DPE). Part 141 will introduce you better to the overall “flow” of airlines and usually see higher pass rates on checkrides when compared to Part 61 applicants.
If you attend a college or university with a 141 Flight School then you will be eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot(ATP) certificate at 1,000 hours. That is 500 less hours compared to Part 61 flight students. Your eligibility for an ATP at 1,000 hours is dependent on how many credit hours you complete at the university and if you earn a degree or not. In general, you need 1,500 hours to be eligible for the ATP certificate. Click here to see the requirements to earn your ATP.
A big benefit to Part 61 flight schools is that you do not have to wait on approval for stagechecks and End-of-Course exams(EOCs), often making Part 61 flight schools quick to complete. Sometimes the wait period for stagechecks and EOCs can be weeks depending on instructor availability and the Chief Pilot’s efficiency in processing your paperwork. In Part 61 flight training there is no specific syllabus you will find in Part 141 schools; the reason being is the requirements for your Private are listed in Part 61. As long as you meet the requirements outlined in Part 61 then you are eligible for your checkride, unlike Part 141 where you need to meet certain “windows” in your training to eventually be eligible for your Private Pilot checkride.
The downside to Part 61 training is the 1,500 hour requirement to be eligible for your ATP. The training is less structured and can be wildly different amongst each Part 61 flight school. This is due to the absence of an FAA approved training outline and often your training relies on your Certified Flight Instructor to develop your training plan.
Part 61 is AMAZING if all you want is your Private Pilot license. It can be quick, relatively inexpensive(compared to Part 141 Private Pilot course), and so much fun! There is little to no waiting(depending on your CFI), and often can be done within 2-3 months!
under 17 years old? Even 18 or 19 years old?
If you are under 17 years old we recommend getting your Private Pilot certificate at a Part 61 flight school while still in high school if that is something you can do. This will allow you to graduate high school with a Private Pilot license while still remaining eligible for the 1,000 hour R-ATP hour requirement provided you enroll at a university with an FAA approved Part 141 program. This is often the fastest path to airlines for those who are still in high school.
Over 20 years old? over 25 or 30 years old? maybe 50?
It is NEVER too late to start your flight training! If you are over 20-22 years old an already have a college degree(4 year degree, or maybe you’re working on it), then we recommend taking the Part 61 route or an accelerated Part 141 route! Keep in mind, if you go to a Part 141 school and do NOT earn a degree with that school then you are ineligible for the 1,000 hour ATP. However, even if you go to a Part 61 or Part 141 school (not paired with a degree) you can get through the flight training pretty quick as long as you fly a lot! Many people go this route and end up at the airlines within 3 years of beginning their flight training!
If you are pursuing a Private Pilot license for fun then look into attending a Part 61 school.
that’s a lot of info… what if i am still unsure?
Still unsure?
Let us offer some advice (:
Reach out to
You can reach out to us at info@tdzusa.com
As long as our owner is available he will personally reach out to you offering some advice. If he is not available then one of our team members will reach out to you!
