Private Pilot Training Center

Become a Private Pilot

The private pilot license is your ticket to the skies. Private pilots have earned the privilege of being able to jump into many airplanes and fly just about anywhere, anytime, with family, friends, and colleagues. Those with a private pilot license are awarded with a dizzying array of options for flying: they can fly for fun, on business trips, or a combination of both. Private pilots can fly single engine, multi-engine, electric, piston, and even turbine powered airplanes with the proper ratings and endorsements. And there's really no limit where a private pilot can fly as long as the airplane is properly equipped. Private pilots can fly across town, across country, or even internationally.

In the United States, private pilots can fly at night, during the day, and with an instrument rating, in the clouds or in poor visibility conditions. Float planes, tail draggers, bush planes, singles, twins, high wings, low wings, even pressurized turbine twins, private pilots (with the proper ratings and endorsements, see below) can fly them all. Learn about private pilot aircraft.

Private Pilot License Categories and Classes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awards the private pilot license in multiple categories and classes. For example, the most common category and class is "airplane, single engine land". Other categories include airplane, rotorcraft, glider, and ballon. Classes relate to the specific type of aircraft, for example multi-engine land, or single-engine seaplane. Chances are, if you're interested in earning your private pilot license, you'll be going after your airplane, single-engine land certificate. Get info on private pilot training.

Get Your Private Pilot License

There are a few limitations which affect private pilots. Flying through clouds or in low visibility is prohibited, unless you have earned an instrument rating. Also, private pilots cannot act as pilot in command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, meaning you can't be paid for piloting an aircraft (that privilege is reserved for commercial pilots and airline transport pilots). You can't earn your private pilot license until your are at least age 17, but you can begin training and solo an airplane when you are 16. Other limitations apply to the aircraft itself. For example, you can fly into larger cities only if your aircraft is equipped with a working mode c transponder and two-way radio equipment. Most aircraft meet this requirement, however it is worth noting. Similarly, some aircraft are not equipped for night flight. So just because it has wings or rotors, don't assume you can fly that airplane or helicopter anywhere you like.