Dicovery Flight
Take off on your aviation journey, this discovery flight will have you soaring with excitement!
Private Pilot
Getting Started
What to Expect!
Age: You can start training at any age with a instructor on board the aircraft. But in order to solo you must be at least 16 years of age. Furthermore you must be at least 17 years old to take the Private Pilot Checkride.
English Proficiency: You need to be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
General Requirements
Medical Certificate
Must have at least a 3rd class medical to become a Private Pilot
all pilots are required to get a medical certificate in order to legally fly. all Pilots must go to a Aviation Medical Examiner, also known as a “AME”.
Here at Texas Skies we recommend getting this done as soon as possible, for any reason you cannot obtain Medical Certificate you save yourself time and money on flight training.
Knowledge Test
You need to pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test. With at least a 70%.
You'll need to receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor after completing ground training or a home study course.
The FAA requires 40 hours minimum of flight time to qualify for the checkride.
( MOST people finish within 60-70 hours of training.)
with a instructor, you will do the following:
20 hours of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation that includes
3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane;
3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least-
1 cross-country flight of over 100 nm. total distance; and
10 takeoffs and 10 landings with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern.
3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 2 months prior to the practical test.
Flight Training &
Ground Training
By Yourself you will do the following:
10 hours of solo flight time of which;
5 hours of solo cross-country flying.
1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nm. total distance with 3 points and one segment of at least 50 nm. between takeoff and landings.
3 takeoffs and landings at a controlled airport.
Instrument Training
This Add On Allows pilots to navigate the skies while being in clouds or not being able to see outside the aircraft.
The training needed to Qualify for this checkride is as follows:
50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command
Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor (CFI-I)
Three hours of instrument flight training within two calendar months before the check ride
A cross country flight of 250 nautical miles, that includes an instrument approach at each airport, and three different kinds of approaches (for example, VOR, ILS, GPS)
Commercial Training
Commercial pilots are able to get paid for flying!
Below are the minimum requirements to qualify for the checkride:
TOTAL FLIGHT TIME
250 Hours
Pilot In Command (PIC)
100 Hours
Cross Country PIC
50 Hours
Instrument Training
10 Hours
Technically advanced aircraft (TAA)
10 Hours
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
Age: At least 23 years old.
Medical Certificate: A first-class medical certificate is required.
English Proficiency: Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Prior Licenses: Hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Aeronautical Experience:
1,500 total hours: This includes at least:
500 hours of cross-country time.
100 hours of night flight time.
50 hours in the class of airplane for the rating sought.
75 hours of instrument time.
250 hours of pilot-in-command time.
ATP Certificate Training Program (CTP): Must successfully complete an authorized ATP CTP.
Written and Practical Exams: Pass the ATP knowledge test and practical flight test.