You need a medical certificate, ground school, flight training, and four tests to get a pilot license

A pilot license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires you to complete ground instruction, log flight hours with a certified instructor, pass a written exam, pass an oral exam with an FAA examiner, and pass a practical flying test called a checkride. The whole process typically takes three to six months if you train full-time, or six to eighteen months if you train part-time. You must be at least 17 years old and hold a valid medical certificate before you can take your checkride.

The FAA issues three main types of pilot licenses: a private pilot license (the most common starting point), a commercial pilot license (required if you want to be paid to fly), and an airline transport pilot license (required to be a captain at an airline). This guide covers the private pilot license, which is what most people pursue first.

Key Takeaways

  • You must obtain a medical certificate from an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner before you can solo or take your checkride, and this certificate must be current on the day of your test.
  • Ground school covers FAA regulations, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, and emergency procedures, and you can complete it through an in-person course, online course, or self-study with an instructor.
  • Flight training requires a minimum of 60 hours with a certified flight instructor, though most people need 70 to 100 hours before they are ready for the checkride.
  • You must pass the FAA written exam (called the Knowledge Test), an oral exam with an FAA examiner (called the Oral), and a flying test (called the Practical Test or checkride) to earn your license.
  • The total cost ranges from $8,000 to $15,000 depending on aircraft rental rates, instructor fees, and how quickly you progress through training.

Getting your medical certificate before you start flying

Your first step is to schedule an appointment with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), a doctor authorized by the FAA to issue medical certificates. You can find AMEs through the FAA's website or by calling flight schools in your area. The AME will review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and check your vision and hearing. Most people pass this exam without issue, but conditions like certain heart problems, untreated mental health conditions, or some medications can delay or prevent certification.

The medical certificate comes in three classes: First Class (required for airline pilots), Second Class (required for commercial pilots), and Third Class (required for private pilots). For a private pilot license, you need at least a Third Class medical certificate. This certificate is valid for 60 months if you are under 40 years old, or 24 months if you are 40 or older. You do not need to hold the medical certificate before you start ground school or flight training, but you must have it before you can fly solo or take your checkride.

Completing ground school and studying for the written exam

Ground school teaches you the knowledge you need to fly safely. The topics include FAA regulations and airspace rules, how aircraft systems work, weather and meteorology, navigation and flight planning, and emergency procedures. You can complete ground school through an in-person course at a flight school (usually 20 to 40 hours over several weeks), an online course (which you can pace yourself), or self-study with a flight instructor. Many flight schools bundle ground school with flight training, while others offer it separately.

After ground school, you take the FAA Knowledge Test, a multiple-choice exam with 60 questions that you must pass with a score of 70 percent or higher. You take this test at a testing center (not at the FAA office) and receive your score when ready. You can retake the test if you do not pass, but you must wait 30 days between attempts. Most people study for two to four weeks before taking this exam, using study guides, practice tests, and flashcard apps.

Flight training with a certified instructor

Flight training is where you learn to actually fly the aircraft. You work one-on-one with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) who teaches you in a real airplane or flight simulator. The FAA requires a minimum of 60 hours of flight time to earn a private pilot license, but the average student needs 70 to 100 hours. Your first few flights focus on basic aircraft control, then you progress to takeoffs and landings, navigation, and emergency procedures. Once your instructor believes you are ready, you will fly solo (without the instructor) for the first time, usually around 15 to 20 hours into training.

Flight training is expensive because you pay for both the instructor's time and the aircraft rental. A typical flight hour costs $150 to $250 for the instructor and $100 to $300 for the aircraft, depending on the type of plane and your location. Most flight schools require you to pay by the hour as you train, though some offer block pricing (you buy a set number of hours upfront at a discount). You can train at a Part 141 flight school (which follows strict FAA curriculum requirements) or with an independent CFI under Part 61 rules (which are more flexible but require more self-direction).

Preparing for the oral exam and checkride

Once you have logged your required flight hours and passed the written exam, you schedule a checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). The checkride has two parts: an oral exam and a practical flying test. The oral exam, called the Oral, lasts one to three hours and covers everything from aircraft systems to weather interpretation to emergency procedures. Your CFI will prepare you for this exam through ground instruction and practice sessions.

The practical flying test, called the Practical Test or checkride, lasts one to two hours and takes place in the actual aircraft you trained in. The DPE will ask you to demonstrate specific maneuvers (like slow flight, stalls, and emergency descents), navigate to a destination using charts and instruments, and handle simulated emergencies. You must demonstrate safe flying skills and sound judgment throughout the test. If you pass both the oral and practical portions, the DPE issues your private pilot license on the spot.

Costs and timeline for earning your license

The total cost to earn a private pilot license ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on several factors. Flight training is the largest expense, typically $6,000 to $12,000 for 70 to 100 hours. Ground school costs $500 to $2,000. The medical certificate costs $75 to $200. The written exam costs $165. The checkride costs $500 to $1,000. Study materials, books, and charts add another $300 to $500. If you train full-time (four to five flights per week), you can earn your license in three to six months. If you train part-time (one to two flights per week), expect six to eighteen months.

The timeline also depends on weather, aircraft availability, and how quickly you progress. Bad weather can cancel flights, and busy flight schools may have limited aircraft availability. Some students progress faster than others based on their natural aptitude and how much they study outside of flight time. Your CFI can give you a more accurate estimate once you have started training and they understand your pace.

What happens after you earn your private pilot license

Once you hold a private pilot license, you can fly an aircraft by yourself or with passengers, but you cannot be paid to fly. You can fly during the day or night, in visual conditions or instrument conditions (if you have additional training), and you can fly across the country. You must maintain currency by flying at least three takeoffs and landings every 90 days, and you must renew your medical certificate on schedule.

Many pilots pursue additional ratings after earning their private license. A Instrument Rating allows you to fly in clouds and low-visibility conditions. A Commercial Pilot License allows you to be paid to fly. A Multi-Engine Rating allows you to fly aircraft with more than one engine. Each of these requires additional training and testing, but they build on the foundation of your private pilot license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start flight training before I get my medical certificate?

Yes. You can complete ground school and begin flight training with an instructor before you have your medical certificate. However, you cannot fly solo or take your checkride until your medical certificate is current. Many students get their medical certificate early to avoid delays later in training.

What if I fail the written exam or the checkride?

If you fail the written exam, you must wait 30 days before retaking it. If you fail the oral or practical portion of the checkride, you can retake the entire checkride after additional training with your CFI. There is no mandatory waiting period for retaking the checkride, though your CFI will determine when you are ready.

Do I need to own an airplane to get a pilot license?

No. You can rent an aircraft from a flight school or flying club for training and after you earn your license. Renting is much less expensive than buying an airplane, which can cost $20,000 to $500,000 or more depending on the type of aircraft.

How long does a private pilot license stay valid?

Your pilot license does not expire, but your medical certificate does. You must renew your Third Class medical certificate every 60 months if you are under 40, or every 24 months if you are 40 or older. If your medical certificate lapses, you cannot fly until you renew it.

Can I train in a flight simulator instead of a real airplane?

You can use a flight simulator for some of your training, but the FAA requires at least 60 hours in a real aircraft for a private pilot license. Most of your training will be in an actual airplane, though simulators are useful for practicing procedures and saving money on aircraft rental costs.