As a Private Pilot, you can fly most single engine airplanes, day or night. You will be eligible to fly retractable gear and/or high performance airplanes with additional flight training. You will be able to have as many passengers as the plane will carry. You will also be able to add an instrument rating to your license. Check out our airplanes. We use the Citabria 7ECA airplanes for Private Pilot flight training:
Prerequisite: Student Pilot License, FAA written test, Medical: Class I, II, or III
Cost: Approximately $8000-$9000
Check out our Ground School which is strongly recommended to help you pass the FAA Knowledge Test.
Private Pilot License Course Outline
FAA minimum is 40 hours, more likely is 60-70 hours. Actual flight hours will vary with each student. We take pride in the quality of our instruction and that we have been in business of flight training for over 45 years. We do not train just to pass the test, we will train you to be a proficient, skilled and safe pilot.
Stage A - Pre Solo
Time : Approximately 15-25 hrs flight instruction, 5 hrs ground instruction
Basic Maneuvers : Take-offs, climbs, straight and level flight, airspeed changes, turns, descents, landings, Air Traffic Control procedures, etc.
Certificates : none required for training with instructor
Exams : None required for training with instructor
Stage B - Solo and Post Solo
You need to be at least 16 years of age to fly an airplane solo.
Certificates : Medical and Student Pilot Certificate
Exams : Federal Air Regulations, Airplane Operational Characteristics, administered by instructor
Time : 10 hrs solo minimum (including 3 supervised solo flights)
Maneuvers : Practice basic fundamentals, flight test maneuvers, airport pattern entry, exit procedures, advanced take-offs and landing techniques, performance maneuvers
Stage C - Cross Country Preparation and Cross Country Flight
Time : Around 5 hrs cross country flight instruction; at least 3 hours instrument flight instruction and at least 3 hours night flying instruction; at least 5 hours solo cross country flight
Maneuvers : navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning and radio navigation; night flight; flight by reference to instruments (without seeing outside)
Stage D - Flight Test Preparation
Time : As required to exceed the required standards
Maneuvers : Flight test maneuvers as required by the FAA Practical Test Standards
Exam : FAA private pilot written exam, open book multi-choice test, 3 hrs. Preparation for FAA written exam should be started as soon as possible. Ground School is recommended.
Note : Preparation for the FAA flight test will normally be done at the same time as the cross country and other training. However, recommendation ride for flight test is not given until student has passed FAA written exam.
Flight Test : Approximately 1 ½ hrs ground time, 1 ½ hrs air time with FAA examiner.
Summary Requirements for Private Pilot License
At least 17 years of age
Third class medical certificate
Complete stages A, B, C and D
FAA written private test (passing grade is 70)
FAA flight test
Flight training as listed below:
Flight Hour Requirements for Private Pilot License:
(All times are the bare minimums, expect more)
Total flight time minimum 40 hrs to include:
Flight training (dual) minimum 20 hrs including:
1/ Dual cross country in a single engine airplane at least 3hrs
2/ Dual night time in a single engine airplane at least 3 hrs, including
one night dual cross country night flight over 100nm
10 takeoffs and landings night dual to full stop
3/ Dual instrument time (hood or actual) in single engine airplane at least 3 hrs
4/ Dual in a single engine airplane in past 60 days at least 3 hrs
Solo flight minimum in single engine airplane 10 hrs including:
1/ Solo cross country time in single engine airplane 5 hrs, including one flight over 150nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 50nm
2/ Three Solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with a control tower
Estimated hours and costs:
• Total hrs on private pilot curriculum: approximately 60 hrs including about 30-35 hrs dual and 25 to 30 hrs solo.
• Total cost on private pilot curriculum (includes airplane rental and dual instruction) - approximately $65 to $7500.
• Present rate: Airplane rental ranges from $69.00 - $99.00 an hour, instructor time is $42.00 an hour. Total cost is about $120-$150 an hour per lesson.
• Cost of ground school - $220 tuition for the complete course or $20 per session for sixteen sessions. Tuition does not include cost of books and materials.
• Books and materials - a supply of recommended study materials, references, study kits, plotters, computers, maps, log books, etc. is available at Amelia Reid Aviation.
Prices and rates are subject to change without notice. All training and rentals are subject to the terms and conditions in the Renters' Agreement.
Come and fly with us in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. Our flight school is located at Reid Hillview airport in San Jose (KRHV), at the south end of San Francisco Bay and we offer ground and flight training for sport pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot license, instrument rating, CFI (certified flight instructor), tailwheel, aerobatics, and multi engine certificates and ratings.
Appointments and reservations may be made at (408) 251-4939, or by email to info@ameliareid.com