The FAA minimum requirement is 40 hours flight time, but it is not uncommon for students to require more time to be safe, proficient pilots. The national average is 60 to 70 hours and our average at Genesis is 55-60 hours. The typical student schedule is to fly one or two times per week for 1.5 – 2.0 hour lessons, so it will usually take 4 – 8 months to complete the private pilot certification.

Weather, aptitude and other variables may impact your training timeline with the greatest factor being the frequency of your lessons. Students who take 2-3 lessons per week will typically require fewer flight hours than a student who flies once per month. In our experience students who commit to take 2-3 lessons per week earn their private pilot license in as little as 90 days, while others have taken 12-24 months to earn their license.