Private Pilot
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Private Pilot

Private PilotThe Federal Aviation Administration requires thorough and rigorous pilot training before issuing a Private Pilot Certificate.  Third Coast Aviation will seamlessly guide you through our flight instruction, allowing you to easily pass the Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Exam and the Private Pilot Practical Test, which are administered by the FAA.

If you are at least 17 years old, fully fluent in English and able to acquire an FAA Medical Certificate, come to our pilot school and we will transform your dreams of flying into reality.  You will be able to carry passengers in good weather on business trips, vacations or just for the fun of it, day or night.  Once you’ve completed 20-30 hours of flight lessons with an instructor, logged 10-20 hours of solo flight time and passed the exams, you can turn your Student Pilot Certificate into a Private Pilot Certificate.  You will learn to successfully take off and land, navigate by ground reference and understand aircraft performance and aerodynamics.

Third Coast Aviation offers Discovery Flights to help you realize the excitement and freedom of flying.  Schedule an introductory flight any day of the week, and for only $59, a flight instructor will take you up for a ride.  But you’ll be more than a passenger on this flight.  You’ll be coached on pre-flight inspection and taxiing to the runway. Then you can
punch the throttle and take off into a 30-minute training flight.

 

Private Pilot Privileges

  • May fly passengers
  • May fly in VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) under VFR (Visual Flight Rules), generally this is good weather, i.e. Visibility greater than 3 miles and cloud height greater than 1000 feet
  • May fly Day or Night


Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a holder of a Student Pilot Certificate
  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language
  • Must pass both an FAA Written Exam and an Practical Exam (checkride)
  • Must have at least a 3rd class FAA Medical Certificate


FAA Hour Requirements

  • Must log a minimum of 40 total hours of flight time
  • Including  20 hours of dual flight time with authorized instructor
  • Including  10 hours of solo fight time
  • 40 hours is just a minimum of the FAA, on average a private pilot certificate can be earned in 50-60 hours, which is about 4 months in the summer or 5 months in the winter.


What You Will Learn

  • To successfully takeoff and land
  • Navigate by reference to the ground
  • Aircraft performance
  • Aerodynamics