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Student Pilot + Training = Private Pilot
We group Student Pilot and Private Pilot together because they represent the natural first step into aviation.
A Student Pilot Certificate is exactly what it sounds like—it applies to someone with no prior flight experience who is learning to fly. A person becomes an official student pilot after registering with the FAA, a process your instructor will guide you through. Importantly, you may begin flight training immediately, even before FAA registration is complete.
Before your first flight lesson, you will need proof of U.S. citizenship or TSA authorization if you are a foreign national (see the sidebar titled Authorization to Take Flight Training).
You will also need an FAA Medical Certificate before you are permitted to fly solo—that is, to fly the aircraft by yourself. Most students solo after approximately 10–15 hours of dual instruction, which means flying with an instructor onboard.
Over the course of training, students typically accumulate 20–30 hours of dual instruction, with the remaining flight time completed solo. From the beginning, you will learn the importance of accurately recording every flight—this is known as logging your flight time. Flying with an instructor is logged as dual instruction; flying alone is logged as solo. In addition, students usually complete 10–20 hours of ground training with an instructor.
After logging at least 40 hours of total flight time, passing the FAA knowledge (written) test, and successfully completing the practical exam, you will earn your Private Pilot Certificate.
Private Pilot Privileges
A Private Pilot is authorized to fly themselves—and carry family or friends—virtually anywhere in the national airspace system, with the exception of restricted areas such as military installations. This includes operations into any public airport, from small local fields to major metropolitan airports. Yes, a properly trained Private Pilot may legally fly into airports such as Atlanta or LaGuardia.
The specific aircraft a Private Pilot may operate depends on the category, class, and type of aircraft in which they are trained. At Aileron Aviation, Private Pilot training is conducted in light, single-engine airplanes, such as the Cessna 172.
Operating larger or more complex aircraft requires additional training and endorsements. Examples include airplanes equipped with retractable landing gear or aircraft with multiple engines.
Authorization to Take Flight Training
To take flight training you must either be a U.S. citizen with proof of citizenship or a foreign national who has obtained permission by the TSA to take flight training.
Citizens:
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Bring to your first flight lesson either: a valid U.S. passport or an original birth certificate and valid government picture ID.
Foreign Nationals:
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Contact us directly so that we can help you. The TSA requires applications for flight instruction to name their flight school. The TSA requires the flight school to acknowledgment the student, before authorization to take flight instruction will be granted.