What does it take to get a private pilot certificate?

Have you ever thought about just how amazing and incredible it would be to fly?  Set your imagination free, and think about all the destinations, the adventures, the memories that flying would bring to your life.  Once you've been flying, there's just no other way you’ll want to travel - high above traffic, direct to the destinations of your choosing, without the hassles of airport security lines, long crowded terminal waits, surly cabin staff – instead, pure enjoyment for you and your passengers.  It’s time to take that first step toward making your dreams come true. 

Getting your pilot's certificate is one of the most amazing, enjoyable and gratifying achievements in life.  Your ultimate success in achieving it depends on you - your dedication, commitment, and effort.

Come take a Discovery Flight at Texas Flight.  Let our experienced instructors show you what it takes to fly an airplane and talk to you about what it takes to get your private pilot's certificate.  Whether your goal is to fly yourself to that favorite vacation spot or to become a commercial pilot or airline pilot, we can help you make your dreams come true.  A Discovery Flight is an introductory flight, but you’re not just a passenger or spectator - YOU will get to turn and climb and cruise, to feel what it’s like to be a pilot, all while flying over Houston, Tomball, and Cypress.

Isn’t it time to start making that dream come true?

Discovery Flight $95.00 30-40 minutes; Longer by special arrangement

How long will it take?

The FARs (Federal Aviation Regulations – Part 61) require a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training.  However, the nationwide average is about 60-75 hours.  Ground instruction - ground school - is also required.  Depending on your schedule and your commitment, it's possible to finish your training in about 3 months, by taking lessons and flying 2-3 times per week - or you can spread the training out over a longer time period; whatever works best to fit your needs, and geared to work with you even when life gets in the way.  Weather is a factor when considering the time necessary to complete your training.  For the ground school, or the theoretical aspect of your training, you have multiple avenues for learning - from self-taught, multi-media courses, one on one with your Instructor, or ground school.  Texas Flight offers a Ground School class covering all the material necessary to pass the written portion of your FAA testing.  Even better, once you’ve signed up for and taken our Ground School, you can sit in for classes as a review for currency and proficiency even after you’ve achieved your PPL.

How much will it cost?

As a starting estimate, budget $48 per hour for your flight instructor's time, $500-$1,000 for materials, and $90-$170 per hour for aircraft rental, depending on the airplane you choose.  Adding it all up, you should budget somewhere around $7,000 - $10,000 for your Private Pilot training, recognizing that exact figures will vary with the time required.  At Texas Flight, you typically pay an hourly rate for your CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) and your airplane as you go.  However, we do offer discounts if you put $1,000 (more for the multi-engine Baron – not available unless doing multi-engine training) on account at a time.

Please note that these amounts do not include the cost of getting your medical certificate, which will require examination by an Aviation Medical Examiner (we can help you find an AME).  It also does not include the final testing you will undergo to get your PPL – neither the written portion, which is typically taken at a CATS (Computer Aided Testing Service) Facility, nor the final checkride with an FAA DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner).