How long does it take to get my private pilot certificate?

The Federal Aviation regulations (under part 61) require a minimum of 40 hours total flight time before you can become a licensed pilot. However, this minimum flight time was based on requirements established over 20 years ago. Since then, flying has become slightly more complex. Today, the average time to get your certificate, is approximately 60-70 hours. The length of time it takes to achieve your license depends on how often you fly and your skill level. In most cases, the more you fly the more economical your training. A shorter length of time between flight lessons allows you to build your skills more quickly.

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How much does it cost?

Your financial investment in flight lessons will vary depending on the type of aircraft flown and the frequency of your lessons. An average flight lesson lasts approximately 1.0-1.3 hours. At Colonial Air, our Cessna 152’s rent for $81.00 per hour and a our Cessna 172’s ranging in price from $105.00 to $128.00 per hour. We also have a 172RG which rents for $118.00. Our rates include fuel and oil.

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