Private Pilot

A private pilot certificate is for those who have always wanted to fly and is the starting point for those who have higher aviation goals.

Many private pilots are interested in flying for fun and flying a variety of different aircraft. Others learn to fly so they are able to use an aircraft to support their business or professional interests, like flying themselves to meetings to cut down on travel time. Whatever the goal, private pilots have many options.

A private pilot certificate is the certificate held by the majority of active pilots in the USA. It allows command of any aircraft weighing less than 12,500lbs, (subject to appropriate ratings) for any non-commercial purpose and gives almost unlimited authority to fly under visual flight rules (VFR). A private pilot may carry passengers and flight in furtherance of a business. However, a private pilot may not be compensated for services as a pilot. Passengers are only allowed to pay a pro-rata share of flight expenses, such as fuel or rental costs.

The Private Pilot Certificate is the foundation to all of your future flying. This certificate will allow you to fly anywhere in the United States in a single engine airplane under visual flight conditions (VMC) with your friends and family as passengers. Using the exclusive Cessna Computer Based Interactive training syllabus, your training is broken down into easy to follow steps through three phases of training – pre-solo, cross-country, and test preparation.

Private Pilot Training Overview for Part 61 and Part 141 Training