Learning to fly is far more achievable than most people think. You don’t need a degree, perfect eyesight, or military background. Here’s the exact path, step by step.
Step 1: Take a discovery flight
Before committing to anything, take a discovery flight. For $65 at Aerotech, you’ll fly a real airplane yourself with an instructor beside you. It answers the only question that matters at the start: do I love this? The flight time even counts toward your license.
Step 2: Get your FAA medical certificate
Before you fly solo, you’ll need at least an FAA third-class medical certificate, issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). It’s a straightforward exam — we’ll point you to a local AME. Most people qualify easily; corrected vision and common conditions are usually no problem.
Step 3: Start training toward your Private Pilot License
This is the heart of it. Working with a certified flight instructor, you’ll learn to:
- Take off, land, and handle the airplane in all phases of flight
- Navigate cross-country and fly at night
- Handle emergencies calmly and safely
- Communicate with air traffic control
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours; realistically, plan for 50–60 hours. Train two or three times a week and you’ll progress efficiently.
Step 4: Pass the FAA written exam
A multiple-choice knowledge test covering regulations, weather, navigation, and aerodynamics. Your instructor and ground study prepare you thoroughly.
Step 5: Pass your checkride
The final step is the practical test — an oral exam plus a flight with an FAA examiner. Every Aerotech student who has completed our program has passed their checkride. Then you’re a certified private pilot.
What’s next after your PPL?
Your private certificate is the foundation. From there you can add an instrument rating, earn a commercial license to get paid to fly, or even pursue an airline career by building hours as a flight instructor.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Plan for about $14,000 and 3–6 months at a consistent pace. See the full cost breakdown and use our tuition estimator to plan your budget.
Ready when you are — book your discovery flight and take the first step.