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What aeronautical flight experience am I required to know to get my PPL?

  • Categories Entry criteria & eligibility

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states, you will need to have the following aeronautical flight experience to earn a Private Pilot License:

  • 40hrs of Flight Time including at least 20hrs of flight training with a CFI and 10hrs of solo flight training. The total 40hrs must include:
    • 3hrs of cross-country flight training
    • 3hrs of night flight training that includes one cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance
    • 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at an airport
  • 3hrs of flight training in a single-engine aircraft on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments.
  • 3hrs of flight training an authorized instructor in a single-engine aircraft in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months of your test
  • 10hrs of solo flight time consisting of:
    • 5hrs of solo cross-country time
    • One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations
    • Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

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