Student Pilot Requirements
To start your training you’ll need to obtain a student pilot certificate. Here are the requirements as stated in FAR 61.83:
Be at least 16 years old
Read, speak, write, and understand English
61.83 Eligibility requirements for student pilots.
To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, an applicant must:
(a) Be at least 16 years of age for other than the operation of a glider or balloon.
(b) Be at least 14 years of age for the operation of a glider or balloon.
(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
Private Pilot Requirements
We can simplify the requirements to become a private pilot. Since we are looking at airplane ratings and certificates we can omit the sections about gliders and balloons. Here are the requirements from FAR 61.103:
Be at least 17 years old
Read, speak, write, and understand English
Hold a U.S student pilot certificate
Pass the required knowledge test
Meet the aeronautical experience requirements
Receive an endorsement from an authorized instructor
Pass the practical test (Checkride)
For further information on the knowledge areas for the knowledge test reference FAR 61.105(b). For the areas of operation for flight training reference FAR 61.107(b). Both are available for further reading with the buttons below.
What about the aeronautical experience? Well, that is listed in FAR 61.109(a). Let’s break that down too. Note that these are all minimum times and you will likely fly more than this to obtain your certificate.
40 Hours - Total flight time
20 Hours - Flight training
3 hours - Cross country training
3 hours - Night training
100 nautical mile night cross country
10 night takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern
3 hours - Simulated instrument training
3 hours - training within 2 months of the checkride
10 Hours - Solo time
5 hours - Solo cross country
150 nautical mile solo cross country
3 solo takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern
61.103 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(d) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training or reviewed the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part.
(f) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
(g) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical test.
(h) Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
(i) Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
This is all you’ll need to accomplish to obtain a private pilot certificate. However, there are some assumptions that we made along the way. We are only looking at the requirements for a person seeking their airplane single engine land (ASEL) certificate. If you are training for your seaplane or multi engine certificate, there will be other requirements not covered here. Additionally, if you are training in Alaska or Hawaii there are exceptions and differences in training that are also are not covered. Refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations or ask your instructor for more information.