Private Pilot Training

Today there are thousands of people, just like you, learning to fly. They come from all walks of life and have a variety of reasons for wanting to be a pilot.

We love to fly, and we want to share it with you. Trust us, this will be the most fun you’ve ever had.

The Federal Aviation Regulations require a minimum of (40) Forty hours of flight time to earn your Private Pilot certificate.  This time must include:

  • At least (20) Twenty hours of dual instruction, including
    • (3) Three hours of day cross-country instruction,
    • (3)Three hours of instrument instruction,
    • (3) Three hours of local and cross-country night instruction, and
    • (3) Three hours of instruction in preparation for the FAA practical test.
  • At least (10) Ten hours of solo flight, including five hours of cross-country flight (two flights).

Plus (10) Ten hours either dual or solo.

Despite these minimums, most new pilots require more experience to be safe and competent.
The national average for Private Pilots is about (70-75) seventy to seventy five hours total flight time, including about (50) fifty hours of dual instruction.

Before you can take the FAA practical test to become a private pilot, your CFI must endorse your logbook to show that you have completed your ground and flight instruction.  In addition, you must:

  • Be 17 years old (you need to be 16 years old to fly solo),
  • Be able to read, write and understand the English language,
  • Hold at least a Class III medical certificate, and
  • Pass the FAA knowledge test.

Fly as frequently as possible.  As with any other activity that requires learning new motor skills–such as tennis or skiing–the less time that elapses between your lessons, the more newly-acquired skills your brain and body will retain from the previous lesson. As a result, you’ll be able to spend more time during each lesson learning new skills instead of re-learning old ones.  We find that flying at least once a week is the minimum desirable frequency; flying two or three times a week should enable you to earn your certificate in closer to the FAA minimum times.

Come prepared for your flight lessons.  Always complete the reading and know what to expect during your flight lesson, and how to perform any new maneuvers.  Make a list of any questions that you have, and bring them with you to the lesson so you can discuss them beforehand with your CFI.

ESTIMATED COST FOR A PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE AT HIXSON AVIATION FLIGHT SCHOOL

CESSNA 152 – TWO SEAT PLANE (Cost based on $130.00/hr)

HOURS 45 50 60 70
GROUND SCHOOL KIT $164 $164 $164 $164
AIRCRAFT RENTAL $5,850 $6,500 $7,800 $9,100
DUAL INSTRUCTION $2,250 $2,500 $3,000 $3,500
PRE/DEBRIEF TIME  $800 $900 $1,100 $1,250
MEDICAL EXAM  $100 $100 $100 $100
WRITTEN TEST  $165 $165 $165 $165
CHECKRIDE WITH FAA  $300 $300 $300 $300
$9,639 $10,639 $12,639 $14,589

CESSNA 172 – FOUR SEAT PLANE (Cost based on $155.00/hr)

HOURS

45

 50 60

70
GROUND SCHOOL KIT

$164

 $164 $164

$164
AIRCRAFT RENTAL

$6,975

 $7,750 $9,300

$10,850
739NL $175/HR

$7,875

 $8,750 $10,500

$12,250
DUAL INSTRUCTION

$2,200

$2,500

 $3,000

$3,500
PRE/DEBRIEF TIME 

$800

$900

 $1,100

$1,250
MEDICAL EXAM 

$100

 $100 $100

$100
WRITTEN TEST 

$165

 $165 $165

$165
CHECKRIDE WITH FAA 

$300

 $300 $300

$300
404SW / 61655 Total

$10,764

 $11,889 $14,139

$16,339
6552F Total

$11,664

 $12,889 $15,339

$17,739
  • BASED ON CURRENT RENTAL RATES AS INDICATED ABOVE AND INSTRUCTOR RATE OF $45/HR.
  • ONLY THE FIRST FOUR COST ITEMS ARE PAID TO HIXSON AVIATION. THE OTHER ITEMS ARE ESTIMATES AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
  • MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED BY THE FAA IS 40 HOURS MADE UP OF AT LEAST 20 HOURS DUAL AND 10 HOURS SOLO AND ADDITIONAL 10 HRS EITHER DUAL OR SOLO.
  • NATIONAL AVERAGE TIME IS 74 HOURS. THE ABOVE HOURS CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY FLYING 1 TO 2 TIMES A WEEK EVERY WEEK.
  • AVERAGE STUDENT RECEIVING 12 HOURS OF ADDITIONAL GROUND INSTRUCTION COSTING $1540.00

AS OF: 5/08/2024