← Back to Home

Your Roadmap to the Flight Deck

Training
Requirements

Everything you need to know before starting your training journey — the FAA requirements, prerequisites, and what to expect for your Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, and CFII certificates.

Pilot Path
Step 01
Private Pilot
40 Hours Minimum
Your first certificate. Allows you to fly yourself and passengers under VFR conditions across the country.
→
Step 02
Instrument Rating
40 Instrument Hours
Fly through clouds and in low visibility. An add-on rating that makes you a safer, more capable, and more versatile pilot.
→
Step 03
Commercial Pilot
250 Total Hours
Get paid to fly. The Commercial certificate opens the door to a professional aviation career and is required for most flying jobs.
Instructor Path
Step 04
CFI
Commercial + Instrument Required
Teach student pilots to fly. The CFI certificate lets you train and sign off students for solo flight, cross-countries, and the PPL checkride.
→
Step 05
CFII
CFI + Instrument Rating Required
Add instrument instruction to your CFI certificate. Teach students to fly in the clouds and earn their instrument rating.
→
01

FAR Part 61

Private Pilot Certificate

The Private Pilot Certificate (PPL) is your first major milestone in aviation. Once you earn it, you can fly as Pilot-in-Command and carry passengers in VFR conditions — day or night.

✅
Prerequisites
  • Age: At least 17 years old to receive your certificate (16 to solo)
  • Medical: 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate (or BasicMed with a driver's license)
  • Language: Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
  • Student Pilot Certificate: Required before your first solo flight (free, obtained at IACRA)
📝
Knowledge Test (Written)
  • Pass the FAA Private Pilot – Airplane Written Test with a minimum score of 70%
  • Topics include: aerodynamics, weather, navigation, airspace, regulations, aircraft systems, and emergency procedures
  • 60 questions, taken at an FAA-approved testing center
  • Results valid for 24 calendar months from the date of the test
🧑‍✈️
Dual Flight Training (20 hrs min)
  • 3 hours cross-country flight training
  • 3 hours night flight training, including:
    • One cross-country flight of at least 100nm total distance
    • 10 takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings at an airport
  • 3 hours simulated instrument flight (under the hood)
  • 3 hours checkride preparation (within 60 days of your practical test)
🛩️
Solo Flight Time (10 hrs min)
  • 5 hours solo cross-country flight
  • 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150nm total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of 3 points, and one segment of at least 50nm
  • 3 solo takeoffs and full-stop landings at a towered (controlled) airport
🎯
Practical Test (Checkride)
  • Administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
  • Oral portion: The examiner will test your aeronautical knowledge on weather, regulations, flight planning, aircraft systems, and emergency procedures — typically 1–2 hours
  • Flight portion: You'll demonstrate maneuvers and procedures to Airman Certification Standards (ACS) — including takeoffs, landings, slow flight, stalls, steep turns, cross-country navigation, emergency procedures, and more
  • Upon successful completion, you'll receive a Temporary Airman Certificate on the spot
🗓️
Minimum Requirement
40 Hours Total
Typical Student Completion
55–75 Hours
Estimated Timeline
3–12 Months
Keep in Mind
Flying more frequently (2–3× per week) dramatically shortens training time and improves retention between lessons.
02

FAR Part 61 — Add-On Rating

Instrument Rating

The Instrument Rating (IR) allows you to fly in clouds and low-visibility conditions using only your aircraft's instruments. It's the most impactful rating you can add — dramatically expanding when and where you can fly.

✅
Prerequisites
  • Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate (with airplane category rating)
  • 50 hours cross-country flight time as Pilot-in-Command
  • Able to read, speak, write, and understand English
  • A valid student, recreational, or private pilot certificate is required (3rd class medical or BasicMed)
📝
Knowledge Test (Written)
  • Pass the FAA Instrument Rating – Airplane Written Test with a minimum score of 70%
  • Topics include: IFR regulations, instrument approaches, departure and arrival procedures, weather, ATC communications, and navigation
  • 60 questions, taken at an FAA-approved testing center
  • Results valid for 24 calendar months
🌫️
Instrument Flight Training (40 hrs min)
  • 40 hours actual or simulated instrument flight time total
  • 15 of those hours must be with a CFII (like me)
  • 3 hours of instrument checkride preparation within 60 days of the practical test
  • Instrument time can be logged in an approved flight simulator (up to 20 hours in a BATD/AATD)
🗺️
Instrument Cross-Country
  • One instrument cross-country flight of at least 250nm total distance
  • Must include an instrument approach at each airport using three different types of approaches (e.g. ILS, VOR, GPS/RNAV)
  • At least one full-stop landing is required
  • Can be flown in actual IMC or under the hood with a safety pilot
🎯
Practical Test (Checkride)
  • Administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
  • Oral portion: IFR regulations, weather interpretation, flight planning under IFR, ATC procedures, chart reading, and system failures — typically 1–2 hours
  • Flight portion: Departure procedures, en route navigation, holding patterns, instrument approaches (ILS, RNAV, VOR), missed approaches, and partial panel flying — conducted under the hood or in actual IMC
  • Evaluated to Instrument Rating ACS standards — more demanding than the Private Pilot checkride
🗓️
Minimum Instrument Hours
40 Hours
PIC XC Required First
50 Hours
Estimated Timeline
6–18 Months
Pro Tip
Many students pursue the instrument rating immediately after getting their PPL, while the fundamentals are fresh. It's the most logical next step.
03

FAR Part 61

Commercial Pilot Certificate

The Commercial Pilot Certificate allows you to be compensated for flying. It's the gateway to a professional aviation career — charter, cargo, instruction, banner towing, aerial survey, and ultimately the airlines.

✅
Prerequisites
  • Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate (airplane)
  • Hold an Instrument Rating (required to remove "carry passengers for hire" limitations)
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a 2nd Class FAA Medical Certificate (required to exercise commercial privileges)
  • Read, speak, write, and understand English
📝
Knowledge Test (Written)
  • Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot – Airplane Written Test with a minimum score of 70%
  • Topics include: advanced aerodynamics, commercial regulations, performance calculations, weather, navigation, and aircraft systems
  • 100 questions, taken at an FAA-approved testing center
  • Results valid for 24 calendar months
⏱️
Total Hour Requirements (250 Hours Minimum)
  • 100 hours in powered aircraft (at least 50 in airplanes)
  • 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command including:
    • 50 hours in airplanes
    • 50 hours cross-country flight
  • 10 hours instrument time (at least 5 hours in airplanes)
  • 10 hours in a complex aircraft or Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)
🧑‍✈️
Dual Flight Training (20 hrs min)
  • 10 hours in a complex or Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)
  • 2 hours cross-country day flight (at least 100nm to a destination)
  • 2 hours cross-country night flight (at least 100nm to a destination)
  • 3 hours checkride preparation within 60 days of the practical test
🛩️
Solo / PIC Requirements (10 hrs min)
  • 5 hours solo cross-country flight
  • 1 solo cross-country of 300nm+ total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of 3 airports, and one leg of at least 250nm
  • 5 solo takeoffs and full-stop landings at a towered (controlled) airport
🎯
Practical Test (Checkride)
  • Administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
  • Oral portion: Commercial regulations, advanced aerodynamics, aircraft performance, weight & balance, weather decision-making, and flight planning — typically 1.5–2.5 hours
  • Flight portion: Evaluated to Commercial ACS standards (more precise tolerances than PPL). Includes advanced maneuvers such as:
    • Chandelles (maximum performance climbing turn)
    • Lazy eights (coordinated flight maneuver)
    • Steep spirals
    • Eights on pylons (ground reference maneuver)
    • Commercial takeoffs, landings, and emergency procedures
  • Upon completion, you are legally authorized to be paid to fly under FAR Part 135 and certain Part 91 operations
🗓️
Minimum Total Hours
250 Hours
Starting from Zero
2–4 Years
Next Step After CPL
ATP at 1,500 hrs
Good to Know
The Commercial certificate doesn't require flying 250 hours with an instructor — much of that time can be built through your own personal flying, tours, and cross-country trips.
04

FAR Part 61.183

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

The CFI certificate lets you teach and sign off student pilots. It's widely considered the most challenging checkride in general aviation — and the most rewarding. You'll need to know every maneuver from both seats and be able to teach them clearly under pressure.

✅
Prerequisites
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate (or ATP) with Airplane Single Engine Land rating
  • Hold an Instrument Rating — airplane
  • Hold at least a valid 3rd Class FAA Medical Certificate
  • Read, speak, write, and understand English
📝
Knowledge Tests (2 Required)
  • Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) — 50 questions, 70% minimum
    • Adult learning theory, human behavior, teaching methods
    • Lesson planning, critique techniques, evaluation
    • Psychology of learning and effective communication
  • Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) — 100 questions, 70% minimum
    • Advanced aerodynamics, aircraft systems, performance
    • Weather, airspace, regulations, emergency procedures
    • All Private and Commercial knowledge areas
🌀
Spin Training Endorsement
  • Must receive and log in-flight spin training from an authorized flight instructor before the checkride
  • Training must cover spin entry, developed spin, and spin recovery procedures
  • Instructor must provide a logbook endorsement certifying spin competency
  • This is a hard requirement — there are no exceptions. (David holds this endorsement and can provide it to CFI candidates)
🧑‍✈️
Ground & Flight Training
  • Must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor in all CFI areas of operation (Fundamentals of Instructing + technical subjects)
  • Must receive and log flight training in all areas listed in the CFI Airplane ACS
  • Must receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor confirming readiness for the checkride
  • Right-seat flying proficiency is essential — practice maneuvers from the right seat extensively before the test
🎯
Practical Test (Checkride) — The Toughest in GA
  • Administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) — the DPE will act as your "student" throughout the test
  • Oral portion: You must be able to teach the DPE every maneuver and topic in the Private and Commercial curriculum — expect to be asked to explain stalls, slow flight, ground reference maneuvers, emergencies, weather, regulations, and more as if teaching a student for the first time
  • Flight portion: You'll fly from the right seat and demonstrate every required maneuver to Commercial ACS standards while simultaneously providing instruction to the DPE
    • Stall series (power-on, power-off, accelerated)
    • Slow flight, steep turns, ground reference maneuvers
    • Normal, crosswind, short-field, and soft-field takeoffs and landings
    • Emergency procedures and systems failures
  • The CFI checkride has a high failure rate — thorough preparation and mock checkrides are strongly recommended
🗓️
Prerequisite
Commercial + IR
Written Tests
2 (FOI + FIA)
Estimated Timeline
2–6 Months
Reality Check
The CFI checkride is less about how much you fly and more about how well you can teach. Start practicing right-seat flying and instructional explanations early.
05

FAR Part 61.183 — Add-On Instructor Rating

Certified Flight Instructor — Instrument (CFII)

The CFII adds instrument instruction privileges to your existing CFI certificate. You'll be able to train and sign off pilots for their Instrument Rating — one of the most in-demand instructor ratings in aviation.

✅
Prerequisites
  • Hold a current, valid Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI) with airplane category and class rating
  • Hold an Instrument Rating — airplane
  • Receive ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in all CFII areas of operation
  • Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying readiness for the checkride
📝
Knowledge Test
  • Pass the Instrument Rating – Airplane (IRA) knowledge test with a minimum score of 70%
  • 60 questions covering all IFR topics — same test taken by instrument rating applicants
  • Valid for 24 calendar months from the test date
  • If you already hold an instrument rating and passed the IRA within the last 24 months, you may be able to use that result — verify with your DPE
  • Note: The FOI test is NOT required again if you already hold a CFI certificate
🌫️
Ground & Flight Training
  • Must receive and log ground training in all CFII areas of operation — IFR regulations, instrument procedures, approach charts, ATC communications, weather, and common student errors
  • Must receive and log flight training in all areas of operation listed in the Instrument Rating ACS — from an instructional perspective
  • Focus on being able to identify, describe, and correct common instrument student errors (fixation, spatial disorientation, improper scan technique)
  • Practice teaching instrument approaches, holds, partial panel, and missed approach procedures from the left and right seat
📡
What You'll Teach as a CFII
  • IFR flight planning, weather briefings, and NOTAMs
  • Instrument departures (DPs), en route navigation, and arrivals (STARs)
  • Precision approaches: ILS, LPV (GPS)
  • Non-precision approaches: RNAV (GPS), VOR, LOC
  • Holding patterns, missed approaches, and alternate planning
  • Partial panel flight and unusual attitude recovery
🎯
Practical Test (Checkride)
  • Administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) — the DPE plays the role of an instrument student throughout the test
  • Oral portion: You must teach all instrument knowledge areas as an instructor — IFR regulations, weather interpretation, approach chart reading, ATC procedures, and how you would explain and correct common student mistakes. Expect thorough questioning on holding entries, approach briefings, and decision-making in IMC
  • Flight portion: Demonstrate and teach all instrument procedures to ACS standards
    • IFR departure, cruise, and arrival procedures
    • At least one precision approach (ILS or LPV) and one non-precision approach
    • Holding pattern entry and correction
    • Partial panel flight and unusual attitude recovery
    • Missed approach and alternate procedures
  • You must demonstrate the ability to recognize and correct student errors in real time — the DPE may intentionally make mistakes for you to catch and teach through
🗓️
Prerequisite
CFI + IR
Written Test
1 (IRA)
Typical Timeline
1–3 Months
Pro Tip
Many instructors pursue the CFII shortly after the CFI while the knowledge is fresh. It significantly expands your student pool and earning potential.
ℹ️
A note on these requirements: The requirements above reflect FAR Part 61 minimums as of the date of this page. Aviation regulations are updated periodically — always verify current requirements with the FAA's official regulations (14 CFR Part 61) or discuss with a Designated Pilot Examiner before your checkride. Most students will require more hours than the regulatory minimums. The goal isn't to hit the minimum — it's to be a safe, capable, confident pilot.

Ready to Begin?

Let's Build
Your Path

Not sure where to start? A discovery flight is the perfect first step — no commitment, no pressure. Just you, me, and an airplane. From there, we'll map out exactly how to reach your goals.

✈  Book a Discovery Flight View Training Services →