Most students begin flight training with the goal of earning their Private Pilot Certificate—your ticket to exploring the skies. As a Private Pilot, you can fly most single-engine airplanes, day or night, and bring along family, friends, pets, or gear to exciting destinations. Our well-equipped aircraft are ready for you to start your journey today.

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After Private Pilot, you can continue your training by earning different ratings or certificates or fly for fun. Please check out our “overview” page for your next steps

 

● Requirements (14 CFR 61.103)

○ At least 17 years of age

○ Student pilot certificate

○ Third class medical certificate

○ FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test (passing grade is 70%)

○ FAA practical test (aka “checkride”)

 

● Hour Requirements (14 CFR 61.109)

○ The FAA minimum is 40 hours of flight time. The national average is 65-75 hours so actual flight hours will vary with each student. We take pride in the quality of our instruction and we do not train just to pass the test; we train you to be a proficient, skilled and most importantly a safe pilot.

○ Faa Minimum Requirements are

○ Total Flight Time : 40 Hours

○ Dual flight training : 20 hours

■ 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

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● Estimated Costs

○ To estimate costs we will use the Average time it takes someone to receive their certificate which is 65 Hours. Of those 65 hours 50 will be dual flight instruction and 15 will be solo. We will also add about 15 ground instruction hours.

○ Total ground instruction time varies greatly based on your ability to study; however, your instructor is still required to assess and cover all knowledge areas thoroughly along the way. In short, you must do the ground lessons to be ready for each stage check and the checkride. The oral portion of the checkride is longer than the flight portion, so knowledge is vital to becoming a competent pilot.

○ Cost estimates we will provide have a high and low estimate based on either the type of plane you would like to fly or which instructors you decide to choose and are based on a 6 month 2-3 times per week timeline. Many students prefer to go more in-depth in their training or can’t fly as regularly. This can lead to a need for higher training time.

○ The high end is approx. $17,000

○ The Low end is Approx. $14,000

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A more detailed price pamphlet can be had by calling or emailing info@frenchvalleyflyers.com