The FAA requires 40 hours of flight training for the PPL. 20 hours of dual instruction (with an instructor), and 10 hours of solo flight (you alone). The FAA collects data on all PPL applicants that is publicly available via their website. According to the FAA website, the typical applicant takes 60-70 hours to finish their rating.

You are also required to pass a written test, read, speak, write, and understand English, and get an FAA Medical Certificate. The quality of your training has a huge effect on how long it will take and how much it will cost you. Quality is defined as:

Knowledge:  Knowledge accounts for 50% of your success. If you come in and fly, but don’t study the course materials, you won’t pass. If you come in for ground school but go home and never open a book, you won’t pass. The student has to put in as much effort as he/she wants out of the training. Put yourself in a position to pass! Study. Ask questions. Go looking for answers. Every questions answer is available at your keyboard. Our chief pilot and instructors are always available to help guide you before, during, and after your training. Use them as a resource.

Practice:  Practice accounts for 30% of your success. If you fly once per week, don’t expect to finish on time and under budget. In fact, 20-30% of students that fly once per week end up quitting because of their lack of progress. They don’t see the results they expected because they’re not flying enough. It is very difficult to learn a new trait when only practicing once per week. We recommend 2-3 lessons per week.

Talent:  Your natural talent accounts for 10% of your success. The common assumption is talent is the greatest factor that determines the success of your training. Nothing could be further from the truth. Southwest Airlines is well known for hiring employees based on effort, and training them to their standards. Effort leads to success.

Get The Right Education

OC Flight Lessons is now offering a Private Pilot Ground school taught by FAA Certified Flight Instructors. Our CFI’s are well seasoned and can help answer any questions you may have along the process. Classes are taught 7 days per week. Payments starting at $300 per month. Please contact us for registration information using the form below.