Private Pilot License
Earn Your Private Pilot License
The Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first step into the world of aviation. With a PPL, you can fly for pleasure and take passengers with you.
Once you’ve earned your PPL, you can go on to further qualifications, such as an instrument rating, tailwheel endorsement, multi-engine rating, and certified flight instructor!
The PPL is the beginning of a life-long passion and opens up the world of aviation to you.
Steps to Get Your Private Pilot License
Meet FAA Requirements
You must be at least 16 years old to fly solo and 17 to receive your PPL. You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Go On a Discovery Flight
While not strictly necessary, it’s a good idea to try out flying with a discovery flight before investing in a training program. It’s the perfect way to make sure that flying and your chosen flight school is for you.
Attend Ground School and Pass the FAA Written Exam
Ground school training prepares you with the knowledge you need for flight training, including aerodynamics, weather, flight planning, and navigation. Ground school typically takes about 4 weeks to complete. Once you complete your ground school training, you must pass the FAA written exam to complete this step. The written test is administered by a testing company, which we will prep you for with an online curriculum.
Complete 40 Hours of Flight Training
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of actual flight training, which includes at least 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours of solo flying. Flight training covers cross-country flying, day and night flying, flight maneuvers, and more.
Pass Your FAA Checkride
The last part of your training is a 3-hour oral exam and 1.5-hour flight exam (checkride) with a FAA examiner at the AE facility. On the checkride, you’ll demonstrate your knowledge and skills as you plan a flight, interact with ATC, fly maneuvers, and follow all directions from the examiner. When you pass your checkride, you’ve earned your stripes and are now an official private pilot. This entire process takes about 3 months.
How Much Does a Private Pilot License Cost?
The average cost is approximately $15,000. The actual final price will vary based on your schedule and ability to progress through training. Training fees can be paid as you go or on a payment plan.
How Long Will It Take To Get My License?
Our students average about 4-6 months to earn their license, although it can be as quick as 1 month or as long as you require.
What Does Private Pilot Training Look Like?
An instructor will work with you one-on-one. You’ll meet with your instructor for both ground training and in flight training.
Lessons are typically 2 hours long. At the beginning you’ll have a 30-minute pre-flight training session and brief, where you’ll work on your ground knowledge. Then you’ll have 1 hour flight time, where you’ll practice specific skills and maneuvers. Once you land, you’ll have another 30-minute debrief where you’ll go over what went well and what you can improve on.
Some lessons may focus more on ground work where you’ll go over the material you’ll need to pass the written exam.
When Are Lessons Scheduled?
Your training schedule is up to you. Many of our students arrange training around busy lives and we have flexible hours. To make good progress and retain what you learn, we recommend training 2-3 times a week.
Training Locations in Virginia
Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO)
1001 Sycolin Rd SE, Suite 1B
Leesburg, VA 20175
Winchester Regional Airport (KOKV)
509 Airport Rd, Suite 103
Winchester, VA 22602
Winchester Regional Airport (KOKV)
509 Airport Rd, Suite 103
Winchester, VA 22602
Graduates
Private Pilot License
Indya Bird, Private Pilot
Caleb Payne, Private Pilot
Stephen Arnold, Private Pilot
Roman Reschini, Private Pilot
Ian Davenport, Private Pilot
Bernardo Piereck de Sa, Private Pilot
Patrick Welborn, Private Pilot
Brandon Cheatham, Private Pilot
Noah Hallett, Private Pilot
Brad Murphy, Private Pilot
Abby Daniels, Private Pilot
Vincent Spolidoro, Private Pilot
Jacob Allen, Private Pilot
Andrew Melanson, Private Pilot
Emma Aldrian, Private Pilot
Shahrouz Sattari, Private Pilot
Sean Curran, Private Pilot
Shrey Majmudar, Private Pilot
Alana Bicoy, Private Pilot
Aden Vinnacombe, Private Pilot
Daniel Barrass, Private Pilot
David Ford, Private Pilot
Anthony Pham, Private Pilot
Don Pressley, Private Pilot
Walker Phelps, Private Pilot
Kevin Cheek, Private Pilot
Anna Culatta, Private Pilot
Jerry Guilbert, Private Pilot
James Wei, Private Pilot
Abe Hana, Private Pilot
Ahmed Abouhassan, Private Pilot
Chris Tran, Private Pilot
Sam Stahl, Private Pilot
Russell McDiffett, Private Pilot
Stuart Martin, Private Pilot
David Benger, Private Pilot
Kody Epperson, Private Pilot
Gabe Turner, Private Pilot
Ben Barokas,Private Pilot
Robert Emery, Private Pilot
Eric Graves, Private Pilot
Patrick Roos, Private Pilot
Kevin Burel, Private Pilot
James Thomas, Private Pilot
Randy Steeprow, Private Pilot
Daphne Allison, Private Pilot
Samuel Szeto, Private Pilot
Eli Beardsley, Private Pilot
Chad Cray, Private Pilot
Cody Schrock, Private Pilot
Josie Cray, Private Pilot
Dayanna Peavey, Private Pilot
Dan McKay, Private Pilot
Jason Brooks, Private Pilot
Brice Leconte, Private Pilot
Ken Brennan, Private Pilot
David Laux, Private Pilot
Kevin Roose, Private Pilot
Patrick Gonzales, Private Pilot
Vasu Nambeesan, Private Pilot
Chad Williams, Private Pilot
Lyndon Rosenberrry, Private Pilot
Audrey Hoffman, Private Pilot
Jake Rega, Private Pilot
Gonzo Hurtado, Private Pilot
Cannon Gill, Private Pilot
Joey Leoncio, Private Pilot
Jonah Rucker, Private Pilot
Mark Smith, Private Pilot
Alan Arnesen, Private Pilot
Ryan Goeller, Private Pilot
Arnaud Dahourou, Private Pilot
Jonas Gyllensvaan, Private Pilot
Instrument Rating
Adrian Acosta, Instrument Rating
Michael Grupe, Instrument Rating
Barry Smallwood, Instrument Rating
Max Stoeck, Instrument Rating
Alex Whitley, Instrument rating
Levi Smith, Instrument rating
Andrew Wilson, Instrument rating
Jon Jackson, Instrument rating
David Hammack, Instrument rating
James Magner, Instrument rating
Justin Zabiegala, Instrument rating
Gabby Quatse, Instrument rating
Haeri Jung, Instrument rating
Jonas Gyllensvaan, Instrument rating
Multi-Engine Rating
Morgan Bush, Multi-engine rating
Tony Manzo, Multi-engine rating
Jim McChord, Multi-engine rating
Shawn Aaron, Multi-engine rating
Justin Zabiegala, Multi-engine rating
Jeremy Cunningham, Multi-engine rating
Lynch Davis, Multi-engine rating
Jonas Gyllensvaan, Multi-engine rating
John Cerretani, Multi-engine rating
Airline Transport Pilot
Pete Vallee, Airline Transport Pilot
Charlie Bobbish, Airline Transport Pilot
Commercial Pilot
Alex Whitley, Commercial Pilot
Charles-Philippe Blondeau, Commercial Pilot
Alex Silva, Commercial Pilot
Jose Pablo Montano Rocabado, Commercial Pilot
Derek Blakeman, Commercial Pilot
Levi Smith, Commercial Pilot
Michael Lee, Commercial Pilot
Robert Kurtts, Commercial Pilot
Ben Muenzer, Commercial Pilot
Aaron Boston, Commercial Pilot
Jonas Gyllensvaan, Commercial Pilot
Patrick O'Brien, Commercial Pilot
Charlie Bobbish, Commercial Pilot
Haeri Jung, Commercial Pilot
Certified Flight Instructor
Jose Pablo Montano Rocabado, CFI
Sammy Denenberg, CFI-Instrument
Mirun Shankar, CFI-Instrument
Walter Hibbard, CFI
Mirun Shankar, CFI
Matt DoCampo, CFI-Instrument
Ben Muenzer, CFI
Linden Emery, CFI
Scott Douglas, CFI
Morgan Bush, CFI-Multi Engine
Stephanie Kight, CFI
Aaron Boston, CFI
Ram Srinivasan, CFI-Instrument
Otto Madrid, CFI-Multi Engine
Mohammed Ashram, CFI
Malvina Lekli, CFI-Instrument
Charlie Bobbish, CFI-Multi-engine
Charlie Bobbish, CFI-Instrument
Haeri Jung, CFI-Instrument
Tim Gonzales, CFI
Charlie Bobbish, CFI
Haeri Jung, CFI
Malvina Lekli, CFI
John Cerretani, CFI-Instrument
Otto Madrid, CFI
John Cerretani, CFI
Get Started
Ready to start your private pilot license training?
Give us a call or fill out our contact form and we’ll help you through the process.
Get A Fast Answer
It’s quick and easy to call us: (571) 831-3170.