Private Pilot

Are you wondering what it takes to become a Private Pilot?

The short answer is: commitment and money!!

Dallas Flight Center offers the King School program to keep your training concise, organized, and guided so that you stay on track with your goals. This program also simplifies the study process with easy-to-use materials and videos.

Here are the FAA minimum requirements for a Private

Commercial Pilot License

Pilot License:

• Minimum age of 17 years old.
• Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language.
• Be able to obtain a 3rd Class Medical Certificate.
• Have a birth certificate or a valid passport and a valid photo ID.
• Pass a written, oral, and flight test (check ride).

FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 40 hours of flight time is required by the FAA to be eligible for your private pilot certificate. Within those 40 hours there must be:
  • Minimum of 20 hours of dual flight instruction which will include:
    • 3 hours of cross country flight time.
    • 3 hours of instrument flight training.
    • 3 hours of night training including one night cross country flight and at least 10 take offs and landings.
  • Minimum of 10 hours of solo flight which will include:
    • 5 hours of solo cross country flight.
    • 3 take offs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower.
• The remaining 10 hours can be used as a combination of both dual and solo flight to sharpen your new flying skills prior to your check ride.

20 Hours (dual instruction)
Cessna 150 | $100 per hour = $2,000
Cessna 172 | $145 per hour = $2,900

20 Hours Flight Instructor (CFI)
Cessna 150 | $50 per hour = $1,000
Cessna 172 | $50 per hour = $1,000

10 hours Solo
Cessna 150 | $100 per hour = $1,000
Cessna 172 | $145 per hour = $1,450

10 flight  hours at your discretion
Cessna 150 | $100 per hour = $1,000
Cessna 172 | $145 per hour = $1,450

King Schools Flight Course
Cessna 150 | $599
Cessna 172 | $599

FAA 3rd Class Medical
Cessna 150 | $150 avg
Cessna 172 | $150 avg

FAA written test
Cessna 150 | $150 avg
Cessna 172 | $150 avg

Totals
Cessna 150 | $5,899
Cessna 172 | $7,699

*Based on FAA Minimums

Check Ride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
Cessna 150 | $400 avg
Cessna 172 | $400 avg

Airplane rental for the Check Ride (avg 2.5 flight hours)
Cessna 150 | $250
Cessna 172 | $362.50

Total including Check Ride
Cessna 150 | $6,549
Cessna 172 | $8,461.50

Extra 20 flight hours
Cessna 150 | $100 per hour = $2,000
Cessna 172 | $145 per hour = $2,900

Extra 10 hours of Ground Instruction
Cessna 150 | $500
Cessna 172 | $500

Real World Totals
Cessna 150 | $9,049
Cessna 172 | $11,861

The FAA states the minimum requirements only. The national average to complete a check ride is 65 hours. You should take the FAA minimums like any world record out there. Is it doable? Yes, it is. Someone has done it. Can I do it? Well, let’s go back to that word COMMITMENT again…

There are many reasons that could cause you to be among those who complete their Private Pilot License at about 60 hours of flight time. Family obligations, personal matters, work schedules, and financial restrictions are the most common roadblocks encountered by students. In addition, the weather always plays a major role in aviation. Fortunately, Texas weather is fairly good year-round. While most flight schools up north struggle with the weather during the winter months, we are still flying for most of it!