Whether your desire is to fly your family or friends to a lake for an afternoon of fun, or to your favorite eatery, earning your Private Pilot’s License (PPL) is where your #adventure begins. It is where all pilots begin whether your goal is to fly for recreation or as a career pilot. At Flex Air, you will be assigned and work on one with one of our flight instructors. Your instructor will begin by taking the time to learn about you. Your program will be based on your unique scheduling needs and learning style. We believe in being flexible whenever possible. The Private Pilot License, commonly known as PPL, is a type of pilot's license that legally allows individuals to fly aircraft privately, not commercially. In other words, you cannot make money from flying if you hold this license. This license is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA and by corresponding authorities in other countries. It is the most commonly obtained pilot license worldwide.

Training Overview

Pursuing a private pilot license in San Diego requires a significant commitment of time, effort, and financial resources. In crowded airspace like San Diego, the flight time to obtain a license always exceeds FAA minimums. To keep training cost low it's important to make every flight hour count. At Flex Air, this means focusing on 1-on-1 ground and simulator lessons on Day 1 to ensure you're prepared for every training flight. Our programs emphasize professional standards in a flexible training environment tailored to your schedule. This estimate represents total typical costs to get a Private Pilot's License in San Diego. Your actual costs may be higher or lower, depending on your aptitude and effort.

Prerequisites Required

You must be at least 16 years old to start training and 17 years old to receive the license. Additionally, you need to be able to read, speak, write, and understand English fluently and pass an FAA medical examination. The first step to becoming a private pilot is to obtain a student pilot certificate, pass an aviation medical examiner's check, and choose an FAA-approved flight training school for your ground school training and flight hours. It's also recommended to familiarize yourself with Federal Aviation Regulations.

Airport(s)

Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (KMYF)

Total Flight time (Hours Dual Instruction, Ground Instruction, etc)

According to the FAA, you need a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, which includes at least 20 hours of instructional flight time with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight time. However, the average student typically requires between 50 to 60 hours of flight time to get their license.

Pricing Notes

The cost of obtaining a private pilot license typically ranges from $16,000 to $21,000. This estimate includes various expenses such as ground school fees, flight training costs, instructor fees, and the rental of aircraft for training purposes. Additionally, this range covers the cost of necessary materials, such as textbooks and navigation tools, as well as the fees for taking the required exams. The total cost can vary depending on the location, the flight school, the type of aircraft used for training, and the number of flight hours a student needs to become proficient.

Session Breakdown

The FAA mandates a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight. Most students in San Diego require around 50-70 hours to fully prepare for the license due to comprehensive flight training standards.

Training Length/ Recommended Pace

At Flex Air you have the choice of a full-time or a part-time training program. By choosing a full-time program, you can expect to earn your private pilot’s certificate in as little as 2 months, while if part-time you can expect to complete your program in 3-6 months. The time it takes to complete the flight and ground training for a private pilot license in San Diego, or anywhere else, can vary depending on several factors including the frequency of flying lessons and your individual aptitude. Here’s an outline of what to expect: 1. Flight Training Hours Required: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time for a private pilot license. This includes at least 20 hours of flight training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight as well night flying, cross-country, and other types of flight training requirements. However, many students need more than the minimum hours to meet all the necessary skills and competencies, often averaging around 60 hours. 2. Frequency of Lessons: The more frequently you take flight lessons, the more quickly you can complete your training. If you fly multiple times a week, you may be able to complete your training in a few months. However, if you only fly once a week, it could take a year or more. 3. Weather Conditions: San Diego's generally favorable weather allows for more consistent flying days compared to other locations, which can help in completing the training faster. 4. Personal Commitment and Aptitude: The speed at which you learn and adapt to the skills required for flying also significantly affects the duration of training. Private Pilot Ground School In addition to flight hours, you'll need to pass a written private pilot knowledge test, which requires learning and studying. At Flex Air, you will be assigned and work on one with one of our flight instructors. Your instructor will begin by taking the time to learn about you. Your program will be based on your unique scheduling needs and learning style.

Detailed Costs for Completion/ Tuition and Fees

Private Pilot License (Part 61) training program with: 10 ground hours, 30 preflight ​/​ postflight instruction hours, 50 flight hours, 35 dual instruction hours, enrollment fee, FAA, TSA, DPE, checkride fees, and one-time simulator access fee for unlimited simulator training. Complete within 6 months (full-time) or 12 months (part-time).

Additional Expenses (Not included)

Your actual costs may be higher or lower, depending on your aptitude and effort.