PRIVATE PILOT

Overview

For an easy understanding, this information has been summarized for you and consequently does not contain all exceptions! Please refer always to current FAR's before acting upon it!

FAR 61.103 [Eligibility Requirements] [Excerpt]

To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, you must:

1. Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
2. Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
3. Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
4. Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this section that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
5. Pass the knowledge test.
6. Pass the practical test.

To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, you must hold at least a current third-class medical certificate. For more information on medical certificates click here.

FAR 61.105 [Aeronautical Knowledge] [Excerpt]

If you are applying for a private pilot certificate you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

FAR 61.109 [Aeronautical Experience] [Excerpt]

If you are applying for a private pilot certificate with an airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift category rating, you must receive and log at least a total of 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training, and the training must include at least:

For a helicopter rating:

1. 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter and 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter.
2. 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at least 3 hours of solo cross-country flight time.

For an airplane single engine rating:

1. 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane, 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane and 3 hours of instrument flight training in a single engine airplane.
2. 10 hours of solo flight time in a single engine airplane, consisting of at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time.

For an airplane multi engine rating:

1. 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a multi engine airplane, 3 hours of night flight training in a multi engine airplane and 3 hours of instrument flight training in a multi engine airplane.
2. 10 hours of solo flight time in an airplane, consisting of at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time.

Permitted credit for use of advanced flight training equipment:

A maximum of 2.5 hours, or if the training was accomplished in accordance with FAA Part 142, a maximum of 5.0 hours in an approved flight simulator or approved flight training device representing the category, class, and type, if applicable, of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought, may be credited towards the flight training time required by this section, if received from an authorized instructor.

Except when fewer hours are approved by the Administrator (FAA), an applicant for a private pilot certificate with an airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift rating, who has satisfactorily completed an approved private pilot course conducted by a training center certificated under FAA Part 142 of this chapter need only have a total of 35 hours of aeronautical experience to meet the requirements of this section.

		Robinson R22 - Roof Top Landing at Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

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