Getting Your Private Pilot's License // Full Process Start to Finish 

19 years ago I sold a car to a flight instructor. We hit it off and he asked if I was interested in flying. The next day he took me up in a small plane. We spent hours in the air, landed and refueled to do it again. Ever since I said I wanted to get my lic. I never really had time or money. Well....my son is 22 and doesn't depend on me. My wife finished her school and the last few years has made more money then me. So today I finally walked into a school and asked what's the next step. I'm actually gonna go do this. After 19 years of would of could of should of excuses and stalls.

Started flight school about a month ago... been hooked since Edit: December 2020, I PASSED I PASSED!!!! July 16th 2024 United Airlines

As a former instructor I can tell you there is one “Exam” you all forget about that sometimes makes a big difference to some people who want to get a licence. That’s the Medical that is required to maintain a licence. Some people don’t realize it’s important as many people find out that they are Color blind or some other health restrictions may not allow them to even get a licence! First thing I would suggest anybody do before throwing down the money to get flight time towards a licence is book the medical exam first.

I watched this video about 3 years ago when I was 14 and thinking about aviation for a career and found myself watching it over and over during my training to see what I had left and understand the process. I just passed my checkride today and want to say thank you for inspiring me to partake on this journey!

Im 13, and i want to continue my family's tradition of becoming a pilot. Never to early to start! Hopefully i can train in a DA20.

$7k is pretty cheap for a private license. However, those who want to pursue a private pilot license, please note that the cost varies depending on the flight school but you also must consider how well you perform on each session. If at any moment you fail to keep up with your flight studies the cost will increase each time your flight instructor feels like you need to repeat a flight activity. It has happened to me a couple of times in my flight training. Study study study please!

At some point during the process, you learn the most important lesson: Money is what makes airplanes fly.

The order is: 1. get your medical if going for Private Pilot (if Sport then all you need is a DL). 2. pass written (at any time during your flying lessons) but remember, you will have to pass an oral portion on the Checkride so taking it closer to that helps you remember your written material. 3. no one does it in 40. some lessons last longer on a given skill. It is also smart to fly some hours on your own before your checkride to get muscle memory down pat...the checkride is COSTLY...$500 or more and if you fail it, you have to pay it all over again to take the checkride again. 4. solo is not the half mark...but its a major milestone. you will still fly dual with a CFI after it (for example the night cross country). 5. you can fly your cross country without a dry run with the CFI...its up to the CFI to allow it (they usually want you to call from each airport you land at to check-in) 6. usually do a final mock checkride with your CFI to make sure you are good to pass the real thing. 7. the Checkride requires an appt. and a flight plan and bring your AROW and aircraft logbooks and your written test results. 8. pass the Checkride 9. Once you get your Orville and Wilbur Wright card with your few hours you are at your most dangerous phase of your flying experience. You are free to take others up and to make mistakes...and in the first 200 hours you will make plenty of them.

On my 16th birthday my parents gifted me a discovery flight before I even had my driver's license, had a few more training flights after that but real life hit me hard and I decided to join the Navy. Now back in the civilian world and at 33 years old I still have my old flight log and have started back on the path again, wish me luck

I'm Brazilian and was born into a poor family, but I have a dream of flying, of course, it was impossible for me to do this kind of thing when I was young, 5 years ago I did something to fly that was parachute, I got my license and had around 40 jumps as professional parachuter, the dream of being pilot is still in my heart and today living in Montreal Canada I guess I can start planning that, hopefully in one year I'll be back here to share with you guys the recording of my dream achieved! Congrats on the achievement Bro, it was a very inspiring video! ❤

I did it for $1500. Of course, that was in 1970.

$7000 is pretty cheap, you must have had great rates on the plane/CFI :)

No lie I just told my wife I want to be a pilot like 2 weeks ago now this is recommended 😱😱😱

Bro this video is highly underrated atm.. Not only is he getting it done correctly but his story telling and editing is top notch 👌

As a current airline pilot, this brings back great memories! Thank you for the insightful video, and I look forward to seeing your progress!

i think getting the written out of the way before you started training was a great idea. congratulations... i soloed on july 4th, 1981. still in the game.

Been thinking about getting a pilot's license, your video was inspiring! I felt so excited for you when you landed after your first solo flight, I wanted to give you a high five

The bit of you and your wife smiling together was wonderful. Cheers.

Glad it’s free to become a pilot in Canada

I began my online ground school on sporty about 3 weeks ago and am on the practice tests getting close to taking the FAA exam

97 Foxtrot, be sure to always say the name of the specific runway when reading back clearances, even if the controller has neglected to do so. Ambiguity kills. Examples: "Roger, Piper niner seven foxtrot cleared takeoff runway two eight left, right traffic." "Piper niner seven foxtrot cleared for the option runway one fife." "Piper niner seven foxtrot will taxi runway three three left via alpha and echo, hold short of three three right." Also, when reading back clearances, I think it is important to read them back in the same order given. You will likely appreciate the importance of this practice when you go for your instrument rating. All clearances have a specific order of items. Doing them in the same order helps both the pilot and the controller speak and hear with fewer opportunities for errors. Being professional on the radio is who you are in the eyes of other pilots and of the controllers. You will get respect and better ATC handling. Blue skies and tailwinds, my friend.

I won't tell you I soloed on day one at 1.5 hours and finished my license in 14 days at 35 hours for under 1K. Well it was 1979, been flying with my dad for 4 years and had ground school nailed long before starting. Good on ya. You did well.

I have never liked/enjoyed watching a video like I have this one. My flight instructor and his wife were friends of ours for many years of the family. He bought a Piper PA 28 Cherokee 140 and I can remember when he flew it in from Florida (we lived in Ohio). She was gorgeous. I took my first lesson when I was 12 years old. And when I was 17 I finally got to solo her. By that time she was ours. So I was there where you were. What a feeling. Whenever you can, get a Piper/rent/buy/ stay in aviation the possibilities are astronomical. The love of flight is still in my heart.

Officially started my training a week ago, already couple of classes in. This has been the dream since I was a kid. After so many should’ve/ could’ve excuses, I decided to give a try! I know it will be a long road ahead of me, but I can’t wait to get my license and take my girlfriend and parents out to the sky!

I need an instructor like this. Some schools will milk you literally.

One of the best videos I've seen of a person getting their PPL. I am sure you inspired many people and made them feel more confident about going through the same journey. Thanks for your efforts in creating this and sharing it.

LOVE THIS !!! I know you already KNOW this, but there's not another video out there like this on RU-vid at this moment like YOUR VIDEO! Keep up the great work...

So 7,000$ after all fees, exams, etc? Is this correct? This is motivating.

Getting your PPL in 45 hours of flight time is fantastic, definitely high percentile on that one! Beyond well done!

Just started, have 7 hours so far. And I love flying. Can’t wire to reach my first milestone doing solo flight.

Thank you for this! Searched high and low for a straight forward track to PPL and this is the best I've seen. Happy flying!

Before I took my ckeckride I had more solo hours than dual. Whenever I had he chance I would just fly around to other airports I was signed off at. My solo xcountries I went to different airport I had never been to just to practice figuring out a new airport, the taxiways and runways by myself without any help and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had

Dude, I loved this. I've dreamt of this for years and after seeing this, it reminded me how much I want to complete such. It seems daunting, but you somehow made it seem doable. Congrats!

Im starting a 141 school in March. I was also accepted to D225 after going through their process. I'm a former cop, just turned 28, 3 kids and a wife. Its never too late or too much. I'm about to give a check over to a school with more barrowed money than I've ever had in order to make this happen. I know it will be challenging which is why I want to do it among other things, but I also know that I'm basically barrowing money from my future self. Do not waste your potential in life because you're worried about the 'what ifs'. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be the best version of yourself and make the most of the time you have. God bless.

This is an awesome video man. When I was around 13 I took 35 hours of ground school and by 15 had been on a few orientation flights. Getting my drivers license turned me to cars but now 21 videos like this make me want to go after flying

Amazing! You must have had the perfect CFI and flight school. Sounds like your CFI used the training syllabus and didn’t milk you for redundant lessons. Good job. Out here in Los Angeles expect to pay at least double that amount, easily.

Studying for, and passing the written early during the training process, is huge! Well done! All too many students fail to take that initiative and they lag behind throughout the early phases of the training process. As a CFI, I urge (almost to the point of insisting) all students to pass the FAA knowledge test prior to solo. It is not required by the FAR's, but makes the training process so much more meaningful. I like to tell my students that flying is like a 3-leg stool. In order to stand, three things are needed: first, basic stick and rudder aptitude. Second, good judgement. And last, but not least, COMMITMENT. Flying is not a casual undertaking. As a pilot you have to immerse yourself in the training process (which goes on forever but is especially important in the beginning). All too often primary students fail to make the appropriate commitment to study. That is the biggest problem most CFI's I know see when training primary students. I applaud you for your commitment! Great video!

WHOA WHOA WHOA, CLEAR OF CLOUDS BILLY😂

That storm in the distance at 8:48, Scary! Well done and congrats! Great stuff, 4 years later

The video I’ve was looking for before starting my private pilot training thank you 😃

Thank you for making such a concise video on private pilot training. This will be useful to so many aspiring pilots!

amazing video and I love the ending when you talked about ur favorite passenger keep flying safe and stay positive

Finally a video that accurately explains each step thank you dude

I did my training in 1996. I soloed at 50 hours. My total cost with ground school was $4500

All the averages I've read and seen are $10-12k and about 1yr. So nice job being prepared and doing it for 75% of the cost and time!

4:47 what a moment of joy, this video makes me want to get my own license!

Wonderful, I just took my Discovery ride last week, and I begin formal training (1st lesson) in THREE days!! Thank you for this video..

Thank you, really nice to see a beginning to end Piolet certificate video and done in a reasonable amount of minutes.

Living in the Northeast with bad weather and less than spectacular flight schools it took me years to finish it up. I highly recommend anyone interested to go to Florida for two weeks and enroll in accelerated program that some flight schools offer. It may cost you more initially but in a long run it will save you ton of money.

I Used your video to improve my english and, at the same time, to understand how dificulte is grabbing your pilot's licence in another country, out of Brazil.... Congrats, man !

Super awesome stuff, I needed something like this to put it in perspective. I’m currently stationed in Italy, but once I get to the states, I’m hitting the ground running to get my pilot’s license. I can’t fathom the idea of free soloing one day; it must be a great feeling! See you in the skies!

Congrats! I got my PPL back in December and am now in the middle of instrument training. You will love it. Super technical but imo even more fun than PPL training haha

Congratulations! I received my Private ticket back in 1978. Big price difference though. I passed with 43 hours, and just under $1050. Took me 3 1/2 months. The Cessna 152 rented for $18/hr. wet, and the instructor cost was $10/hr. Bought my 1st plane with my father in law. A 69 Beech Musketeer. We each paid 1/2 of the $9000 price. He liked it, I didn't, so I sold it for $11,000 after 2 years. Then in 1983, I bought my own plane that I loved. A 69 Grumman Yankee. Flew it everywhere for several years, then sold it. Too much heat from home. After the divorce, I moved to Florida, from Texas for a medical practice. Still here, and loving it. Again, congrats! Good job!

$7000 is incredible. If i were to get my own Privat Pilot’s License (I come from Denmark) i have to let go of at least $18000. And for maintaining my license and flight skill; renting a plane would cost me around $300 an hour

I’m just starting my road to Private Pilot cert. Thank you for your video.

Thank you for making this. I’ve been beating my head off the wall trying to figure out what all I need to do. I have my first flight scheduled this weekend.

One of the best videos on RU-vid.. you’ve got me all inspired to go flying now 👌🏼

I will be starting mine here in Arkansas this January I’m super stoked man watching your journey just now only got me more into it great video and great explanations on everything I saved this video for reference going to start my written exam training online at the end of October thanks for the great video again!! I will let you know when I am finished!!

If you can find a non-profit flying club that allows non-licensed pilots to join you are golden. I know a place in Pennsylvania that charges $55 an hour with $45 for the CFI. If you do 65 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo cost is $7050 - doesn't include test fees, headset, ground school, etc 501(c) non-profit flying club is the way to go

Always wanted to do this... But now at 71, I don't think it's gonna happen. Kudos to you... This was fun.

Great video. You did everything so efficiently, makes me wish I could go back and not make the mistakes I made. Congratulations! Instrument rating next?

Congratulations on getting your wings. Great inspirational video for new aviators. Thank's for sharing worth watching it...!!

Amazing video! The production quality is so good.

That’s awesome that your wife is on board! My kids are interested in flying with me but my wife is pretty much an intransigent stone.

As a kid i wanted to become a pilot. Tried to get through air force but didn't selected. Now earning good money. Planning to save enough to get trained and buy a small plane. Your video is such an inspiration.

This is the video I've been wanting to make. Glad you did it for me, editing all that footage is painful. Great job man!

This dude is cool and humble about the entire experience, those crying about detail about the money - its regional different and use google asshats. This dude was humble and even took his girl out for his first solo flight. Great video bro.

Kudos for going for it and achieving it!! I've been dreaming about this very thing for years and you literally knocked off all my questions in this video!! Thank you and wish you safe flights and clear skies!!

After watching this, it motivates me to try and get my pilot license for planes. Was working on my rotorblade license but the cost trippled after my second flight and no longer could afford it. Seeing how flight training is a ton cheaper, I might try to get my license for planes. (I checked the prices locally to me and it is 70% cheaper)

Today was my first day of Flight school! Im super excited.

Your journey is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

I've always wanted to do this since ever. I'm reaching my mid life crisis.... Might do this soon

The school and instructor you had seems so passionate and invested. That must have been amazing. I can only hope to get an instructor as good as yours. Also you and him knocking things out in single days is amazing. This whole video is amazing an informational. Thank you so so much as someone who is currently going for his part 61. Edit: I liked, commented, AND sent this to my best friend who is also interested in flying so. 👍

Process took me about 4 months. I paid $13,900. This cost included my headset, all of the books, online ground school, a few in person ground lessons from a CFI, sectional chart, simulator lessons, written exam fee, and checkride fee with aircraft rental. I had 47 hrs of flight time before checkride. Solo at 13.7 hrs. I could have definitely been more efficient, but i had a failed solo XC halfway due to weather, causing me to turn around and have to repeat that flight, and other weather days where I was already at the airport and decided why not just take a few laps in the pattern. Did the night flight in one block. If anybody has any questions hmu!

Congrats! I started mine years ago. I went to a wonder school down in Lakeland FL to get my license but didn't achieve it. I had an issue passing the written. I used Gleims for ground school. During my time, you had to pass the practice exam with and 80% 3 times before you could take the test. I kept getting a 78%. Finances cause me to drop it. My flight was going to cost 12K to get my 40hrs and check ride. So 7.5K is good deal! Your video makes me want to get back in it. Owning and leasing a private jet would be neat for income and flight hours. I hope you enjoy your new world and brotherhood.

This is awesome! I'm on my journey to grow up and be like you!

Great info. Exactly what we were wondering.

6:15 “whatcha doin there?.... I’m sailin! Weeeee!” Hahaha

I really like the comment to "trust you can do this in your solo flight" it's really cool that you mention that and that your hard work is what gets you there.

My dad had a ppl. He died of cancer 23 years ago. I've been up in glider, winch tow. It didn't suit me. We had a cable break at 1400feet. It scares me. I was proud of my dad , he was a medical doctor and also had a PHD in Pharmacology from Nottingham University. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Tim gogan.

Man I’m so happy for you! I just went up with a buddy the other day and it was the most incredible experience! I’m going to start working on getting my license and your video just gave me a ton more motivation to do it! 👊🏻

thank you for this video! although im 14, this made everything much easier to understand, thanks!

Had to watch this again. Thank you again for posting. This is the way to learning how to fly and get your PPL.

What an inspiring video! I got mine from Cardinal flight instruction at Lunken airport (Cincinnati) in 1967. Total cost: $690 including cross country flights. That’s less than I paid for the graphics card for my flight simulator computer last month!

7:00 night landing was butter !!

😂 Lucky you. My cfi never ever thought i was ready to solo. By the time i soloed i was confident i could be a private pilot. no convincing had to take place. It seems in the US it is easier to be sent for a first solo

This video doesn’t explain all of the extra costs such as materials, medical exams, testing costs, etc. so much more money goes into this hobby/profession.

Thanks for this! This is such a thorough and concise video, and you made the process seem so compressable-that it’s helped me decide that I want to do this (although-permit me to say with overkill that the goal will be to eventually go electric, as I know it’s completely and homicidally irresponsible to joyride in combustion engine vehicles any longer-as we know that the non-contested, unequivocal and iron-clad monumental fact of-global warming destroying our only biosphere-is weighing down on every intelligent, compassionate and considerate honest mind. Thanks for making this seem non-complicated (something a lot of flight videos have trouble accomplishing-either because of bad English or a host of assumptions, made on the part of the pilot-videographer, that speak to the choir instead of to an audience of beginners through experienced pilots). I have saved the video and already have watched it three times and taken screen shots of your “to-do lists.” Great job!

Wow man this has really boosted my confidence in becoming a pilot. Thanks a lot

Thank you for clarifying. Didn’t really know how the process worked!

Congratulations on your PPL 👏 i can't wait to start my training 🤗

So cool to see your journey! I’m signed for my initial lesson in a couple weeks. I’m so nervous but also very excited!

Congrats well done, and yes your wife is beautiful. be safe.. I did mine back in 1984 at 40 hrs. Mike

8:36 Amazing pouring cloud in the background.

Taking my discovery flight next week! Soon I'll be on the right track to finally be a private pilot

"Pilot license, what for?" - Bubsy

9:35 I hope you had SVFR clearance, looks like a lot of cloud about.

Hey, im going into my written exam studding, what books did you use? ive seen so many videos of people going over questions. does that help?

I keep bouncing between getting a catamaran or a plane. I love the freedom of aviation but I also love the freedom of a somewhat self sufficient boat for living. I'm still kinda young so I suppose I need to decide soon.

I'm working on getting my pilot's license I enjoyed your video it was wonderful