Private Pilot License (PPL)

Start Your Journey of Becoming A Pilot

A Private Pilot License (PPL) is for those who have always wanted to fly and Is the beginning stage of starting an exciting new adventure! Private pilots fly for fun and like to fly a variety of different aircraft. Others learn to fly so they are able to use an aircraft to support a business or professional interest, like flying to meetings to cut down on travel time.

The Private Pilot License is held by the majority of active pilots in the USA. It allows command of any aircraft weighing less than 12,500 lbs, (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.

Private Pilot License Requirements

What Does It Take To Become A Private Pilot?

FAA Requirements For Airplane Single Engine Rating

Total Time: (40) hours flying minimum which consists of at least:

Dual: (20) hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

(3) hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane;
(3) hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:
- (1) cross-country flight of over 100nm total distance; and
- (10) T/O's and (10) landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
(3) hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
(3) hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the (6) days prior to the practical test.

Solo: (10) hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

(5) hours of solo cross-country flying;
(1) solo cross-country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at (3) points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings; and
(3) T/O's and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

What Can You Do As A Private Pilot?

With a Private Pilot License, a pilot can rent aircraft and fly anywhere in the United States. Weaver Vector flight school and Pearland Regional Airport offers a diverse fleet that enables renters to experience a wide variety of aircraft available in the market. A Private Pilot License is the minimum requirement for adding other ratings and more advanced certificates.

What’s Involved In Flight Training?

Private pilot training involves two components – ground school and flight training. Ground school is accomplished either in our classroom or through a home study course. It teaches you all the background information that all pilots need to know, but are not easily taught in the air. Topics covered during ground school include: regulations, airplane systems, navigation, aerodynamics, weather theory, and radio communications.

Each of our lessons is structured to cover the specific maneuvers needed to master in order to earn a license. This training prepares the student to take both the written and practical tests. Certification is achieved upon successful completion of these two tests.

What Aircraft Will You Fly?

Weaver Vector flight school has access to a diverse fleet of aircraft in which students can learn to fly to become a private pilot. The most common trainers are Cessna 172s, Piper Warriors, and Archers.