What a Private Pilot License lets you do
The Private Pilot certificate is the foundation of all flying. Once you hold it, you can act as pilot-in-command of a single-engine airplane, carry passengers (though not for hire), fly day or night under Visual Flight Rules, and travel cross-country across the entire country. It's the gateway to every advanced rating — instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and beyond.
At Aerotech, most students train in our Cessna 152 or Cessna 172. The 152 is the most economical way to build hours; the 172 is roomier and IFR-capable if you plan to continue toward an instrument rating.
How much does a Private Pilot License cost in Utah?
At Aerotech Aviation, a PPL runs about $14,000 — meaningfully less than the $16,000–$18,000 commonly quoted around Salt Lake City. Your real total depends on how quickly you progress, which depends mostly on how often you fly. Students who fly 2–3 times per week finish closer to the minimums; those who fly once every few weeks spend more re-learning between lessons.
A realistic estimate includes aircraft rental (wet, fuel included), instructor time for both flight and ground, FAA written-exam prep, the examiner's checkride fee (~$800), and supplies like a headset, books, and an iPad app (~$400). Use the tuition estimator to model your own budget by aircraft and pace.
The path to your certificate
Training follows a clear, FAA-structured progression:
- Discovery flight & pre-solo. You'll fly the airplane from day one, learning the four fundamentals, takeoffs and landings, and emergency procedures.
- First solo. One of aviation's great milestones — you take the airplane around the pattern alone.
- Cross-country & night. Navigate to other airports, fly at night, and build the experience the FAA requires.
- Checkride prep. Polish maneuvers to standards and prepare for the FAA written exam and practical test (the "checkride").
Every Aerotech student who has completed our program has passed their checkride — a 100% pass rate we've held since 2007.
Requirements to become a private pilot
- Be at least 17 years old to earn the certificate (you can solo at 16).
- Be able to read, speak, and understand English.
- Hold at least an FAA third-class medical certificate (we'll point you to a local Aviation Medical Examiner).
- Pass the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam.
- Pass the practical test (oral + flight) with an FAA examiner.
No prior experience is required — most of our students start having never flown a small aircraft.
Why train for your PPL at KSVR
South Valley Regional Airport (KSVR) is a towered field with a long runway, tucked beneath Salt Lake City's Class Bravo airspace. That combination is ideal for training: you learn professional radio communication and busy-airspace awareness, while enjoying shorter taxi times, fewer delays, and lower fees than a major airport. Add genuine mountain terrain on every horizon and you graduate a sharper, more adaptable pilot than students trained at sleepy rural fields.