To earn an FAA private pilot certificate for airplanes you need to be at least 17, pass a written knowledge test, log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes specific training, and pass a practical test (the checkride) with an examiner. Here is every requirement, in plain English, with the regulation it comes from.
Who can get a private pilot certificate
Under 14 CFR 61.103, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old (16 for gliders and balloons).
- Read, speak, write and understand English.
- Get an instructor endorsement for the ground training, then pass the knowledge test.
- Get flight training and an instructor endorsement saying you’re ready for the practical test.
- Meet the aeronautical experience below, then pass the practical test.
- Hold a US student, sport or recreational pilot certificate.
The 40 hours, broken down
14 CFR 61.109(a) sets the minimum experience for a single-engine airplane rating. The items overlap, so they fit inside the 40 hours.
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Total flight time | 40 h |
| Flight training with an authorized instructor, including: | 20 h |
| Cross-country flight training | 3 h |
| Night flight training, including one cross-country of over 100 NM total and 10 takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings in the traffic pattern | 3 h |
| Flight by reference to instruments only | 3 h |
| Practical test preparation, within the 2 calendar months before the month of the test | 3 h |
| Solo flight time, including: | 10 h |
| Solo cross-country | 5 h |
| One solo cross-country of 150 NM total, with full-stop landings at three points and one leg of more than 50 NM | 1 flight |
| Three takeoffs and three full-stop landings at an airport with an operating control tower | 3 + 3 |
Up to 2.5 hours of instruction in an approved simulator or flight training device can count toward the total (more in some approved courses), under 61.109(k).
Before your first solo
- Student pilot certificate. You can hold one from age 16 for airplanes. Your instructor helps you apply.
- Medical certificate. Most students get an FAA third-class medical from an aviation medical examiner before they solo.
- Pre-solo knowledge and endorsements. Your instructor checks your knowledge and endorses your logbook before you fly alone.
The knowledge test
The private pilot knowledge test is a multiple-choice exam at an approved testing center, covering regulations, aerodynamics, weather, navigation, airspace and performance. You need an instructor endorsement to sit it, and a score of 70% to pass. Many students pass it before they are deep into the flying, which takes pressure off the checkride later.
The checkride
The practical test is an oral exam and a flight with an FAA examiner, flown to the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). You need the 3 hours of test preparation within the 2 calendar months before it, and your instructor’s endorsement.
How long it really takes
The 40 hours is a minimum, not an estimate. AOPA puts a typical total at 50 to 70 hours. The single biggest factor is how often you fly: students who fly two or three times a week forget less between lessons and finish in fewer hours.
Part 61 or Part 141?
Most schools train under Part 61, which this guide follows. Part 141 schools run an FAA-approved course with a structured syllabus and stage checks, which allows a lower minimum of 35 hours. Neither is better for everyone: pick the school and instructor you can fly with consistently.
Questions
How many hours do you need for a private pilot license?
The FAA minimum is 40 hours of flight time under 14 CFR 61.109, including at least 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo. Most students take more than the minimum; AOPA estimates 50 to 70 hours.
How old do you have to be to get a private pilot license?
You must be at least 17 to get a private pilot certificate for airplanes. You can fly solo earlier on a student pilot certificate, which you can hold from age 16 for airplanes.
Do you need a medical certificate?
Yes, in practice. Most student pilots get an FAA third-class medical certificate before their first solo flight. Ask an aviation medical examiner if you have any condition you are unsure about.
What is the passing score for the private pilot knowledge test?
The FAA knowledge tests are passed with a score of 70% or more. You need an instructor endorsement before you take it.
Is Part 141 faster than Part 61?
A Part 141 school runs an FAA-approved course, which allows a lower minimum of 35 hours. Part 61 training is more flexible on scheduling. Either way, how often you fly matters more than the rule set.
Track it as you train
Boplo Flight counts your hours against these requirements, preps each lesson and keeps your logbook. Free to start.
Related guides
Sources
- 14 CFR 61.103, eligibility requirements (Cornell LII)
- 14 CFR 61.109, aeronautical experience (Cornell LII)
- How much does a pilot license cost? (AeroCorner, citing AOPA)
Checked 29 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your instructor, your school and your authority before you rely on any figure.