Starting Your Private Pilot Training
The majority of pilots in U.S. are Private Pilots, and all pilots who go on to make a career out of flying start out as Private Pilots. While a Private Pilot cannot fly for compensation or hire, they can carry passengers so long as they have the appropriate flight experience and training.
Less than 1% of the U.S. population holds a Private Pilot Certificate, and just by visiting this website, you're taking the first step toward joining this very exclusive group of people! Training to become a Private Pilot can be challenging, but with the help of our Certificated Flight Instructors, you will enjoy each lesson, have fun on every flight, and be a welcomed member of our school.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
- Be 16 years of age to become a Student Pilot.
- Be 17 years of age to become a Private Pilot.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
- Be a U.S. citizen or receive clearance from the TSA under the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).
- Hold at least a third-class medical certificate.
- There are two doctors in the local area where you can get this medical certificate:
- Dr. Desai, 1309 Medical Dr, 910-437-5130
- Dr. Geiger, 810 Elm St, 910-321-0356
- There are two doctors in the local area where you can get this medical certificate:
What Are the Steps to Become a Private Pilot?
To become a Private Pilot, you must complete the following:
- An aeronautical knowledge exam, administered by the FAA
- Pre-solo training with an authorized instructor
- Solo training
- Cross-country1 flight training
- Solo cross-country1 flying
- Practical test preparation
- Practical test (aka. checkride)
What Aeronautical Experience is Required?
At least forty (40) hours of flight time, including:
- at least twenty (20) hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, including:
- at least three (3) hours of cross-country1 training
- at least three (3) hours of night flight training, including:
- a cross-country flight over 100 nautical miles total distance, and
- ten (10) takeoffs and landings to a full stop
- at least three (3) hours of flight training by reference to instruments
- at least three (3) hours of flight training with an authorized instructor within two (2) calendar months prior to the date of the checkride
- at least ten (10) hours of solo flight time, including:
- at least five (5) hours of solo cross-country1 time, including:
- one solo cross-country1 flight of 150 nautical miles total distance with full-stop landings at three (3) airports
- three (3) takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower
- at least five (5) hours of solo cross-country1 time, including:
Training in a Cessna 150
Training in a Cessna 172 or Piper Warrior
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1 For the Private Pilot Certificate, the FAA defines cross-country flying as any flight that includes a landing at an airport more than fifty (50) nautical miles straight-line distance from the original point of departure.
2 Examiner's fees are paid directly to the examiner and have nothing to do with Cape Fear Aviation Flight Training.
3 Costs are based on forty (40) hours of flight training. The national average to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate is 50-70 hours of flight training. Source: Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association.
Interested in flying with us?
Call today to schedule an Introductory Flight!
Gray's Creek Airport: 7154 Butler Nursery Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306