Private Pilot Course

Achieve Your Aviation Goals at CRAFT

Training Overview

Obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate requires passing both a written knowledge test and a practical exam, also known as the check ride. CRAFT uses the ASA Complete Private Pilot Syllabus and incorporates the Redbird Simulator into our training. The syllabus contains both ground and flight training lessons, and the lessons are taught concurrently. For more information about options for completing the ground school necessary to prepare for the written test, visit our Private Pilot Ground School page.

Under Part 61 rules, the FAA requires at least 40 flight hours to be eligible for the checkride, but it is rare that a student pilot will be proficient enough to pass the FAA check ride within that arbitrary time frame. Nationally, most student pilots get their Private Certificate anywhere from 60-75 hours! CRAFT pilots can get it done in closer under 50 hours because we integrate the Redbird into our training and because we train to a consistent syllabus. Even fewer hours under Part 141 rules. How quickly you complete the training is based on many factors including how often you train and being prepared for lessons and doing your homework.

WHY CHOOSE ONE KIND OF FLIGHT TRAINING OVER ANOTHER?

Minimum of 40 hours for Private Pilot Certificate

Minimum of 35 hours for Private Pilot Certificate

See More In Our Article: DEMYSTIFYING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PART 61 & PART 141 SCHOOLS

Training Stages

The Private Pilot Course consists of three stages. Each stage ends with a Stage Check to ensure the student is ready to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1 – Solo

In Stage 1 the student will learn basic aerodynamics and fundamental flight maneuvers, be introduced to airplane systems and operations, and learn how to perform weight and balance and aircraft performance calculations. The Redbird simulator is used heavily during this stage to introduce new topics and procedures. The Stage will be completed when the student satisfactorily passes the Stage 1 check and is able to conduct solo flights.

Stage 2 – Cross-Country

In Stage 2 the student will learn how to plan and conduct cross-country flights using various navigational techniques, learn how to interact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) services, and gain proficiency in night and basic instrument flying. The stage will be completed when the student has demonstrated that they can plan and conduct solo cross-country flights using pilotage, dead reckoning, and electronic navigation under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), and can obtain and evaluate weather forecasts, reports, and actual flight conditions to determine whether a flight can be safely conducted.

Stage 3 – Pilot Operations and Checkride Prep

In Stage 3 the student will gain further experience in cross-country practice and prepare for the Private Pilot checkride. This stage will be completed when the student satisfactorily passes the final stage check for the course and meets all the flight time requirements set forth in Part 141 or Part 61. The student will be scheduled for their checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Successful passage of this checkride will result in the pilot receiving their Private Pilot Certificate!

Eligibility Requirements

For more information about the eligibility requirements for obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate, check out the “WHAT DO YOU REQUIRE FROM ME TO BEGIN TRAINING?” section on our FAQs page.

Private Pilot Package

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET YOUR PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE?

The answer is it’s different for everyone. If you get a quote from a school that only lists the FAA minimum number of hours, which is 40 for Part 61, then they aren’t telling you the whole story. Most students don’t get their certificate in the minimum number of hours. The national average is 60-75 hours! However, most CRAFT students get it done in less than 50 hours. And is that school doing the training in a modern aircraft? We put together a basic package that should work for most students. Need financing? Checkout financing options on our Financing and Scholarships Page.

CRAFT now offers Private Pilot training under both Part 61 and Part 141 guidelines which can save you money! The FAA only requires 35 hours of flight instruction and 35 hours of ground instruction for Part 141. Check out our page on Demystifying Part 61 and Part 141 to determine which type of training is right for you.

Part 61

IN THE MODERN DIAMOND DA40!

$14,959*

Includes
48 Hours of Flight Instruction in the DA40**
8 Hours of Flight Instruction in the Redbird
Ground instruction
ASA Online Ground School Course and Books
Aircraft Rental for Checkride

Part 141

IN THE MODERN DIAMOND DA40!

$13,250*

Includes
40 Hours of Flight Instruction in the DA40**
6 Hours of Flight Instruction in the Redbird
Ground instruction
ASA Online Ground School Course and Books
Aircraft Rental for Checkride

*The best way to reduce training costs is to take ownership of your training process, use the airplane and instructor time efficiently through self-study and preparing for each lesson, and train at least 3 times per week. Choose your schedule and stick to it!

Examiner Checkride Fee
Non-Owned Aircraft Insurance
FAA Medical Fee
FAA Written Test Fee
Fuel Surcharges

PILOT GEAR & SUPPLIES NOT INCLUDED OR REQUIRED, BUT RECOMMENDED TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TRAINING

Tablet (we recommend the Ipad Mini with WiFi & LTE capability)
Subscription to an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) application, such as Foreflight or Garmin Pilot
Headset
Kneeboard (tablet compatible)
Flight bag
Flashlight and/or headlamp with red light capability

AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR THE PRIVATE PILOT COURSE

Upgrade to the ultra-modern DA40NG with air conditioning for just $1400!
If you already have some flight time, we can tailor this package to you.
Ask about our Military Discounts!
Downgrade to the DA20 and save $1679
Additional hours will be charged at the normal hourly rate.
Cessna 172 also available – contact us for pricing.

Payment Plan

Below is an example of how some of our students have split paying for their Private Pilots Package for Part 61 – this following the progression of the stages we take our students through. You are not required to follow this progression and can pay as you go, although we have found this takes longer and tends to cost more. Checkout our Financing page for other options.

Discovery Flight $285

Not quite sure yet that flight training is right for you?
This is the perfect first step to find out!
Upgrade to the DA40NG for just $25!

Stage 1 – Solo $4,799

Online Ground School and Books
Everything you need to complete Stage 1 of the Private Pilot Course
Up to 17 hours of flight training*

Stage 2 – Cross Country $4,285

Everything you need to complete Stage 2 of the Private Pilot Course
Up to 19 hours of flight training*

STAGE 3 – PILOT OPS & CHECKRIDE PREP $5,695

Everything you need to complete Stage 3 of the Private Pilot Course
Up to 19 hours of flight training*
Aircraft Rental for Checkride

* Additional hours will be charged at the normal hourly rate. Prices are subject to change and estimates do not include fuel surcharges.

Financing & Scholarship Options

Worried about how you are going to pay for flight training? Luckily there are several financing and scholarship options. Financing all or some of the training can take the burden off of the student, giving them peace of mind and the motivation they need to complete their training!

Financing Options

Gift Certificates Available

Know someone that has always wanted to fly, but hasn’t been able to get started? Gift certificates are a great way to help friends and family jump start achieving their aviation goals! They can be used for flight training, instruction, simulator time, books and headsets. Contact us above to find out more!

Purchase a Gift Certificate

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Training Hours

Monday - Saturday
9am - 5pm

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