How many hours do you need in order to become a pilot?
In order to become a private pilot, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that you spend at least 40 hours operating an airplane with a certified flight instructor (CFI). However, when learning how to fly an airplane, not only do you train to FAA minimum requirements, but you also train to proficiency. Proficiency means that not only do you have the required time, but you also have the skills and situational awareness to operate an aircraft safely.
The stark reality is that most people do not reach proficiency by the 40 hour requirement. In fact, the national average for a new pilot to become proficient is 60-75 hours according to FAA statistics.
When flight schools brag about "low costs" or "fast paced" programs, just know that they might be basing their price projections on those minimums, and not the true national average.
On the contrary, some flight schools require that you fly 60-80 hours, regardless if you reach proficiency before that.
For this reason, my syllabus includes 80 hours of flight time, with the possibility of getting your private pilot certificate at 40 hours. Know that getting your certificate at 40 hours is unlikely, but I do include all of the required tasks and flight time in the first 40 hours, that way, if you do reach proficiency within that first 40 hours, you can get your certificate instead of draining all of your money away.
So in short you need 40-80 hours of flight time in order to become a pilot. At $210 dollars an hour, you would need to spend anywhere between $8,400 and $16,800 on flight training. Put a pin in that. We will come back to it later.
What materials do I need?
You need a headset.
The most important accessory for any pilot is the pilot headset. It will be the thing you wear throughout your entire flying career. You can find a headset for as little as 100 bucks, although I do not recommend this. They are clunky and uncomfortable. The most expensive headsets can cost more than 1000 dollars. What you end up buying is completely up to you and your situation. If you are serious about aviation, and pursuing it as a career, I would spend the money on a nice headset. Pilots who fly professionally say that you can either buy a nice headset, or buy a crappy headset, and buy a nice headset later...because if you do this career, you will want a nice headset. That being said, here are a few of my recommendations below. None of these are really bad options, but some might work better depending on your situation. They get more expensive as you go down the list.
David Clark This headset starts at $350. David Clark has been around since 1935. They started making headsets in the 1970's. This headset is often referred to as the Ol' Reliable. It doesn't really have any cool features like Bluetooth, or noise cancelation, but they are comfortable, and are really great quality. Perfect option for somebody looking to fly recreationally or starting off in aviation.
Lightspeed Zulu 3 Probably the best bang for your buck. This headset is $750 and is a great option for recreational and professional pilots alike. It has noise cancelation, Bluetooth, and they are rather comfortable. I have a few friends that have these and they like them.
The Bose A30 This headset is one of the most expensive headsets at $1300 but it is one of the best headsets you can buy. It includes noise cancelation, it has Bluetooth so you can listen to music, and can take phone calls while you fly which is super cool! If you are serious about aviation, and want to pursue it as a career, I would certainly recommend these. I personally fly with the Bose A20, the Bose A20 is a generation older than the Bose A30, they no longer make the Bose A20, but you can often find used pairs on E-bay for 500-700 bucks. If you can get a good deal on the A20, and find one in good condition, I would honestly buy it. The differences between the A30 and the A20 are miniscule, and if you can save a few bucks, it might be worth it.
You need an iPad
It's 2025. All your maps, charts, and airport information is kept on your iPad. A lot of pilots like to use the iPad mini because it takes up less room in the cockpit. I prefer a full sized iPad because it is easier to read and to write on. I would buy an iPad that is cellular capable. just so you have the option, but me personally, I do not have a sim card in my iPad. I would also buy an apple pencil or stylus because you do a little bit of writing in the cockpit, and it makes things a little easier. iPads cost anywhere between 300 and 1700 dollars. You really don't need anything as fancy as 1700 dollars though. But if you already do, great! I personally fly with the iPad Air, and I think I paid like 600 bucks for it.
We also fly with a program called Foreflight. Foreflight has all of your maps and data that you will use to fly. Foreflight is a subscription that is billed annually. I fly with the basic version and it costs $125.
You need ground training software.
In order to get a private pilot certificate, you need to complete a ground training course. I can conduct this course as your flight instructor, but it is far cheaper, and more efficient if you use an online program. I have used Sporty's in the past and it's what I recommend to all my private students. It costs $300.
What tests do I need to pass?
You need to pass a medical exam.
One of the FIRST things I recommend my students do, is to pass a medical examination. You need to obtain at least a 3rd class medical Issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in order to fly as a private pilot. The reason I recommend to do this early on in your training is because the last thing you would want is to spend a ton of money on flight training, only to discover that you can't pass a medical to fly! You have to do your medical exam with an AME. I can help you set this up. Most AMEs charge 150-250 dollars for an exam.
You need to pass a written test
Whenever you get a new pilot certificate, you have to take a written test. This exam costs 150-200 dollars.
You need to pass a practical test
This is one of the most daunting and expensive part of flight training, but it can be done! When you finally meet all of your requirements for your pilot certificate, you will take a checkride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) The DPE will ask you a series of questions in an oral test, this usually lasts about 2-3 hours. If you pass the Oral portion of the examination, you will actually go fly, and demonstrate maneuvers and that you are a safe pilot. If all goes well, the DPE will issue your new pilot certificate!
DPE's represent the FAA, but they don't work for the FAA per se. So they kind of charge whatever the going rate is. Typically DPE's will charge about $800-$2000 for a single checkride. Most of the time, private checkrides land at about $1000
The Grand Total:
In summary, it costs anywhere between $8,400 and $16,800 for flight training, $1075 and $3,425 for materials, and $1,100 and $2450 for tests and exams. Putting the grand total for your private pilot flight training between $10,575 and $23,575. I would say that the median price however is closer to $16,000. But it all depends on how you go about it!
