Discover Flying with Pilot Pathways Flight Instruction

Your instructor will guide you through the initial steps to get started and will be responsible for verifying flight training eligibility and will also help you apply for your Student Pilot Certificate.

You will need to get a medical evaluation by a FAA certified Medical Examiner (AME) - your Flight Instructor will advise on necessary steps to apply and schedule. 

Note: There is a fee associated with this at the doctor's office, but it is often less than $250 depending on Class of Medical applied for.

Your schedule and financing are the biggest hurdles along the pathway to success. If these are taken care of at the very beginning, you stand a much greate chance of being successful. All in, the cost of getting a Private Pilot Certificate averages around $15,000, especially when you consider all of the costs that are hard to predict. It could be less, but generally if you take more than 6 months AND/OR more than required time to complete training, the costs will accumulate higher than average.

We offer a proper discovery flight experience that doesn't take shortcuts or feel like a cheap, brief aerial tour. We use this opportunity to take the time to get to know you and your goals and prepare you for the flight. This could be the first of many flight lessons to come, and we want to set you up for success. This flight is logged and will count towards your total flight experience for your certificate and rating goals!

There is a range of personal equipment necessary to plan and conduct air missions that is individual to the pilot. This includes but is not limited to; flight planning equipment, maps, EFB, plotters, calculators, logbooks, nav logs, communications headset, etc.

We offer different equipment packages for different pilot needs that can include all equipment necessary for easy flat rates. Please see Pilot Equipment Packages.

While flying occasionally before you take your knowledge exam can be somewhat helpful to attaining knowledge, your ground study and knowledge exam prep should be your main focus prior to flying solo.

Preparing for and passing the Knowledge Exam typically includes the completion of an online course of instruction that often takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks of individual dedicated effort.

~Note: Cost may vary depending on which online test prep solution is used. Included in Pilot Equipment Packages.

Each Certificate and Rating process typically requires an FAA proctored multiple choice exam. This exam costs around $175 and passing on the first attempt is not only cost-effective, but it is also a sign of your commitment to Aeronautical Knowledge for every examiner and future employer.

~ Note: FAA.PSIEXAMS set the fee and collect payment at time of scheduling the exam. While the fee has been stable for a long time, it is subject to change without notice.

The Private Pilot Certificate requires a minimum of 40 hours flight time logged in an airplane. Ref: 14CFR61.102-117

This includes 10 solo hours and 20 hours with an instructor. 

Remaining time can be solo or with an instructor as needed for test prep.

~Note: Estimated cost reflects the minimum required. There is no way to account for each individual's schedule, weather, and learning pace. Additional time can cost up to $260/hour.

Once you have flown solo and passed your knowledge exam, then you are on the final stretch to prepare for the Practical Examination with a Designated Pilot Examiner. This exam consists of a verification of experience, a scenario-based oral discussion, and a scenario-based flight conducted in the airplane with the examiner on board. Upon satisfactory completion of this Practical Exam, you will be presented with your official Certificate and be authorized to exercise the related privileges.