Student Pilot to Private Pilot
Becoming a pilot starts with curiosity and ends with freedom. As a student pilot, you’ll learn the fundamentals of flying—how an airplane works, how to safely control it, and how to think like a pilot—one flight at a time. Training begins with hands-on lessons alongside a Certified Flight Instructor, mixing real-world flying with simple ground instruction so nothing feels overwhelming.
As you progress, you’ll build skills in takeoffs and landings, navigation, weather awareness, and emergency procedures, gaining confidence on both local flights and cross-country trips. Once you’ve met the required flight hours and knowledge standards, you’ll complete a checkride with an FAA examiner to earn your Private Pilot Certificate—your license to fly friends and family, explore new destinations, and experience aviation on your own terms.
Ground School
Starting ground school before flight training sets you up for success. Programs like King Schools, Gold Seal, and Sporty’s build a strong knowledge foundation early, making flight lessons more efficient, less stressful, and better preparing you for the FAA knowledge test—often saving time and money overall.
Medical
Before flying solo, you’ll need an FAA medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). There are three classes: First Class (required for airline pilots), Second Class (for commercial flying), and Third Class (most common for student and private pilots). The class you choose depends on your goals—many students start with a Third Class, while those planning a professional aviation career often pursue a First or Second Class early on.
Discovery Flight
A Discovery Flight is the perfect first step before beginning flight training. You’ll fly with a Certified Flight Instructor, take the controls, and experience what it’s really like to be a pilot—no prior experience required. It’s a low-pressure way to see if flying is right for you, ask questions, and get a feel for the aircraft and training environment before committing to lessons.
Student Pilot Certificate
Before you can fly solo, you’ll need an FAA Student Pilot Certificate, which confirms your eligibility to train and operate an aircraft under instructor supervision. The application is completed online through the FAA and then validated by a Certified Flight Instructor. There’s no written test for this step, and once issued, the certificate allows you to log flight time and eventually fly solo during training. It’s a simple but essential milestone on the path to becoming a private pilot.
