LACONIA'S FIRST-CLASS FBO & GATEWAY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LAKES REGION
Private Pilot
Earning your Private Pilot Certificate is your key to unlock the skies and your first step to becoming a professional pilot.
Less than 1% of the world's population can call themselves a pilot. It's an elite group of humans all passionate about aviation. While it's hard work to earn your Private Pilot Certificate, the rewards joining the community pay off infinitely. Private Pilots earn their right to travel across the skies and enjoy the best views Earth has to offer. Besides, who wants to be a ground dweller anyway?
What can I do as a Private Pilot?
As a Private Pilot, you can...
Fly any aircraft in the category (e.g., airplane) and class (e.g. single-engine land, single-engine sea) you have been licensed for!
Fly solo, or with friends and family!
Travel for business or pleasure, day or night!
Act as pilot in command of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event.
Help with search & rescue operations, as long as the flight is sanctioned under local, State, or Federal agencies.
Fly a plane that is towing a glider.
Act as pilot in command for the purpose of conducting a production flight test in a light-sport aircraft intended for certification in the light-sport category.
See 14 CFR 61.113 for more information.
What can't I do as a Private Pilot?
While a Private Pilot Certificate gives you access to skies, there are certain limitations on your privileges:
You must fly in visual conditions.
You may not carry passengers or cargo for compensation or hire.
See 14 CFR 61.113 for more information.
Am I eligible to become a Private Pilot?
Be at least 17 years old.
Although you must be 16 years old to fly solo, you can start your training at any age! We have had students as young as eight years old!
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Be a U.S. citizen
Be able to obtain at least a third class medical certificate.
See 14 CFR 61.103 for more information.
How many hours does it take to become a Private Pilot?
Rome wasn't built in a day - and pilots aren't made overnight. During your training, you will accumulate hours of experience to hone and define your skills. The FAA requires a minimum of the following hours requirements to receive your Private Pilot Certificate:
40 hours total
20 hours of flight training, including:
3 hours of cross-country training
3 hours of night flying training
3 hours of flying solely by reference to instruments
3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test
10 hours of solo flight, including:
5 hours of solo cross-country flying
1 solo cross country of at least 150 nautical miles with landings at three airports
3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower
These hours are a minimum training requirement. For example, the average person receives their Private Pilot Certificate after 50-80 hours of training.
See 14 CFR 61.109 for more information.
