How to Become a Private Pilot

Becoming a private pilot is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make — giving you freedom, flexibility, and total control over how and when you travel. At Destinations Aviation, we specialize in helping busy professionals, business owners, and Cirrus enthusiasts start and finish their flight training with confidence and clarity.

It’s simpler than you think — all you have to do is COMMIT and JUST SHOW UP.
We take care of the rest: the scheduling, the aircraft, the instructors, the plan. All you need is a desire to fly and the willingness to keep showing up.

Here’s a quick look at what it takes to become a private pilot — from your first Discovery Flight to earning your FAA Private Pilot Certificate.

Step 1
Discovery Flight

Take a low-pressure, 30-minute flight with a certified instructor to see if flying is right for you.

Step 2
Set Your Personal Flying Goals

Whether you want to fly for fun, to travel more efficiently, or as a personal challenge, we’ll help you tailor a plan that fits your lifestyle.

Step 3
Start Ground & Flight Training

Learn aviation basics and start flying with an instructor — all training is customized to your schedule.

Step 4
Pass the FAA Requirements

You’ll complete a written exam, a few key checkups, and a final checkride with an FAA examiner.

Step 5
Get Your License & Keep Flying

Once certified, you can fly solo or continue training for advanced ratings — and join our Flight Club if you're ready for more.

Step 1
Discovery Flight

Your aviation journey begins with a Discovery Flight — a one-hour introductory flight with one of our Cirrus-certified instructors. You’ll take the controls, experience the feel of a Cirrus SR-series aircraft, and learn more about the path to becoming a pilot.

Estimated Time: 1 hour flight
Key Milestone: Your first hands-on flight experience

Step 2
Medical Certificate & Student Pilot Certificate

Before solo flight, you’ll need:
✅ FAA Medical Certificate — Class 3 medical (issued by an FAA-designated AME)
✅ Student Pilot Certificate — Applied for through IACRA, processed by the FAA

Estimated Time: 1–2 weeks processing
Key Milestone: Legally able to solo an aircraft after proper instruction

Step 3
Begin Flight & Ground Training

With your medical and student pilot certificate, your formal training begins. At Destinations Aviation, you’ll receive:
✅ Dual flight instruction in Cirrus SR20/SR22 aircraft
✅ Ground school (via in-person, online, or blended programs)
✅ Simulated flight scenarios (as needed)

Training Milestones:

  • Basic maneuvers: takeoffs, landings, turns, climbs, descents

  • Crosswind landings, emergency procedures

  • Navigation, cross-country planning

  • Weather theory & interpretation

  • Airspace & communications (ATC radio work)

Estimated Flight Hours: ~10–15 hours

Step 4
FAA Knowledge Test (Written Exam)

Before solo cross-country flights, you’ll complete the FAA Private Pilot Airplane Knowledge Test (Written Exam) — covering:
✅ Flight theory
✅ Aircraft systems
✅ Regulations
✅ Weather
✅ Airspace
✅ Navigation
✅ Aeromedical factors

Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice (60 questions)
Passing Score: 70% or higher

Estimated Study Time: 20–40 hours (varies)
Typical Completion: Around 15–25 flight hours into training

Step 5
Solo Flight

A major milestone — your first solo flight! After demonstrating required proficiency:
✅ You will fly solo under supervision of your instructor
✅ Practice pattern work, takeoffs, landings, basic maneuvers

Estimated Flight Hours Prior to Solo: ~15–25 hours (varies by student)
Key Milestone: First solo entry in your pilot logbook

Step 6
Cross-Country Training & Solo Cross-Country Flights

To meet FAA Private Pilot requirements, you must complete:
✅ Dual cross-country flights with an instructor
✅ Solo cross-country flights — total distance over 150 nm, with landings at 3+ airports

You’ll gain confidence navigating to unfamiliar airports, working with air traffic control, and managing weather en route.

Estimated Flight Hours: Adds ~10–15 hours to total

Step 7
Flight Proficiency & Practical Preparation

Building toward checkride readiness, you’ll train in:
✅ Advanced maneuvers
✅ Emergency scenarios
✅ Short-field, soft-field landings
✅ Night flying (required: 3 hours night flight)
✅ Checkride prep flights (mock oral, mock checkride)

Total Flight Hours Target:
✅ FAA minimum: 40 hours (20 dual, 10 solo minimums)
✅ Typical real-world: ~55–70 hours for most clients (national average: 60–70 hours)

At Destinations Aviation: Our clients typically complete their Private Pilot Certificate between 55–70 hours, depending on schedule and progress.

Step 8
Checkride Application (FAA Practical Test)

Once your instructor confirms readiness:
✅ Submit 8710-1 application through IACRA
✅ Receive endorsement for checkride from CFI

You will schedule with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).

Step 9
FAA Checkride (Practical Test)

Your final step — the FAA Practical Test, known as the “checkride”:

Part 1: Oral Exam (1.5–2.5 hours)
✅ Regulations
✅ Systems
✅ Performance & limitations
✅ Weather & NOTAM interpretation
✅ Cross-country planning
✅ Risk management & decision-making

Part 2: Flight Test (1.5–2 hours)
✅ Preflight & aircraft inspection
✅ Normal, short, and soft field takeoffs and landings
✅ Ground reference maneuvers
✅ Navigation & cross-country
✅ Steep turns
✅ Stall recovery
✅ Emergency procedures
✅ Instrument reference (basic attitude flying)

Step 10
Receive Your Private Pilot Certificate!

Upon successful completion of your checkride:
✅ You are now a FAA Private Pilot
✅ Legal to carry passengers
✅ Fly day and night (VFR conditions)
✅ Not for compensation or hire (yet)

Ongoing Options:
✅ Instrument Rating
✅ Cirrus Transition Training (if purchasing an aircraft)
✅ Recurrent training & Cirrus Flight Club