The Private Pilot Certificate: The driver’s license of the sky

Step 1: Take a Discovery Flight, an introductory flight that lets a prospective student experience flying firsthand and get a feel for what training involves.

Step 2: Choose a Ground Training Course.

  • The traditional classroom/textbook method
  • Home-study online training courses
  • Home-study tablet & phone application courses

Step 3: Obtain a FAA Medical (prior to Solo).

  • To obtain a medical certificate you will need to complete an application using MedXPress and be examined by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.

Step 4: Apply for a Student Pilot Certificate (prior to Solo).

  • You will need to create an account and complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website with the help of a Certificated Flight Instructor.  Once processed, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address you provided on the application.

Step 5: Begin Flight Training

  • Learn basic flight maneuvers, take-offs and landings, navigation, cross country procedures, basic instrument training, night flight, aviation weather information, aerodynamics and airport operations

Step 6: Knowledge Test

  • The FAA requires student pilots to pass a written knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70%. The knowledge test is valid for two years. All questions missed on the exam will need to be reviewed by a Certified Flight Instructor. The results of the test will also be shared with the Examiner during the Check-ride. It is beneficial for a student pilot to do well on the written test to avoid the scrutiny placed on the student for a low score.

Step 7: The Check-Ride

  • When your flight instructor believes  you are ready and eligible under FAR Part 61, you will receive an endorsement to complete your final exam or “check ride” with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). There are two portions to this exam: An oral exam wherein the DPE will verbally assess your aviation knowledge through guided questioning and a practical exam in which the examiner will observe your ability to operate an aircraft.

The ultimate guide to the check-ride is detailed within The Airman’s Certification Standards