Becoming a Private Pilot in the US
- Tushar B.
- May 22, 2020
- 2 min read
So you recently decided that you want to try and get a private pilot's license here in the US? Hooray! Congratulations! It's a great investment be it as a hobby or as the first step on your path to become an airline pilot. But now that you're here, how do you actually do it? The process of becoming a private pilot in the US is relatively simple but does have its own complications. The general steps are as follows:
1. Get TSA approval to Learn to Fly
If you are a US citizen then you don't need to worry about this step, but if you are a foreign national then you have to get approval from the TSA in order to learn how to fly in the US.
Image from TSA ASFP Homepage
Image from Princeton Review
2. Get a 3rd Class Medical Certificate
In order to fly, you need to be in fit condition. For a private pilots license this means that you need to be 3rd class certified, although if you want to move on to further licenses you may need a 2nd or 1st class certification.
3. Get a Student Pilot Certificate
Before you are allowed to fly solo, you need a certificate from the FAA. Usually your flight school can help you out with this step. Keep in mind that this is NOT your private pilot's license, it just allows you to train!
Image from Flight School of Greenville
Image from Aero Atlanta Flight Center
4. Pass the Written
Before you are allowed to fly with your Student Pilot Certificate, you also need to pass a written exam. This will cover topics such as the planes various systems and components, as well as theory that you will need as a pilot. You can chose to self-study for this exam or find a flight-school that also has a ground school to teach this portion.
Image from FlyingMag.com
5. Complete the Required Flight Hours
This is where things get complicated. I won't go into all the specifics (your CFI can do that) but you will need a minimum of about 40 hours of flight time including 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo. This also includes a certain amount of cross-country flying, night flying, and other specific activities. Although 40 hours is the minimum, most people fly a fair bit more before their checkride.
Image from Flyingmag.com
6. The Checkride
This if the final test before getting your Private Pilot's License. It begins with an oral section that can last anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours based on the examiner, and is followed up with a 2 hour flight where the examiner tests your flying abilities and knowledge.
And with all that done, you now have a Private Pilot's License! You can now fly single-engine private planes in high visibility! Yeah... I forgot to mention, if you want to fly multi-engine planes you need a special certification and if you want to fly in low-visibility you need an Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) certification... but hey, at least you can fly a Cessna!