REQUIREMENTS
What the FAA requires
17
Minimum age for the certificate
40 hrs
Minimum total flight time
The private pilot certificate lets you fly yourself, friends and family in good weather, anywhere in the country. The rules are in 14 CFR 61.109. In plain English:
20 hrs
Flight training with an instructor
10 hrs
Solo flight time
✓ At least 3 hours of cross-country flight, 3 hours at night and 3 hours by reference to instruments, all with an instructor
✓ At least 5 hours of solo cross-country, including one trip of at least 150 nautical miles with landings at three airports
✓ 3 hours of checkride preparation with an instructor in the two calendar months before your test
✓ A passing score on the FAA knowledge test and the practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner
COST
What a private pilot license costs at 4 One Air
We publish our rates so you can plan before you call. At our current published rates, a private pilot certificate in our Cessna 152 works out to:
About $8,200
At the FAA minimum of 40 hours, 20 of them with an instructor
About $14,700
At 70 hours, which is closer to what most students actually need
Both estimates include aircraft rental at $125 per hour, the fuel surcharge, instruction at $58 per hour and about $1,500 for books, the FAA knowledge test, your medical exam and the examiner fee.
TIMELINE
How long it takes
Consistency matters more than anything. Students who fly two or three times a week and study between lessons finish fastest and spend the least, often in four to six months. Flying once every week or two means relearning skills at the start of each lesson.
GETTING STARTED
Your first steps
01 Book a Discovery Flight
Fly the airplane yourself with a certified flight instructor beside you.
02 Get your medical
Schedule an exam with an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner near Holland or Grand Rapids.
03 Start ground school
We use Sporty’s course and the 4 One Air Private Pilot Workbook.
04 Fly consistently
Work toward your first solo, your cross-country flights and your checkride.
QUESTIONS
Private pilot license FAQ
Still deciding? A Discovery Flight is the easiest way to find out if flying is for you.
How much does a private pilot license cost in Michigan?
At our published rates, the FAA-minimum 40 hours in the Cessna 152 comes to about $8,200 including instruction, fuel surcharge and test fees. Most students need 60 to 75 hours, which is about $14,700 at 70 hours. Use our cost calculator to price your own plan.
How long does it take to get a private pilot license?
Students who fly two or three times a week and study between lessons often finish in four to six months. Flying once a week or less usually takes longer and costs more, because skills fade between lessons.
What are the FAA requirements for a private pilot license?
You must be at least 17, read, speak and understand English, hold a medical certificate to fly solo, pass the FAA knowledge test, log at least 40 hours of flight time and pass a practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner.
Is a private pilot license the same as a private pilot certificate?
Yes. The FAA calls it a certificate, but most people say license. Both mean the same thing.
Can I start before I have a medical certificate?
Yes. You can begin flight lessons right away. You need a medical certificate before your first solo, so we recommend booking an exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner early in training.