Earning a private pilot license follows a clear, repeatable path. Here are the seven steps, in order, from your very first flight to the day you pass your checkride and become a private pilot.
This is part of the complete Private Pilot License guide. See also the cost, requirements, and timeline.
Step 1: Take a discovery flight
Before you spend a dollar on training, book a discovery flight, a short introductory lesson where you sit up front and handle the controls with an instructor. It is the cheapest way to confirm that flying is for you.
Step 2: Choose a flight school or instructor
Decide between an independent CFI, a local flight school (often Part 61), or a structured academy (often Part 141). Visit, ask about aircraft availability and instructor turnover, and pick a place where you can fly often. Consistency is everything.
Step 3: Get your student pilot certificate
Apply for your student pilot certificate through the FAA’s IACRA system. It is free, does not expire, and you need it before your first solo. Apply early because the plastic card can take a couple of weeks to arrive.
Step 4: Get your medical certificate
Schedule a third class medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner. You must have it before you solo, so get it done early in training. If you have any health history you are unsure about, talk to an AME before you apply.
Step 5: Train and pass the written exam
Work through a ground school and study against the Airman Certification Standards. Passing the FAA knowledge test early makes your flight lessons more productive and helps control cost. Your instructor will endorse you to take the test.
Step 6: Solo, fly your cross countries, and prepare for the checkride
After your first solo, you will build the solo and cross country experience required by 14 CFR 61.109, polish your maneuvers to ACS standards, and complete checkride preparation with your instructor.
Step 7: Pass your checkride
The practical test has an oral portion and a flight portion with a designated pilot examiner. Pass it and you walk away a certificated private pilot, ready to carry passengers and keep building.
What to buy before lesson one
What you'll need
Show up to your first lessons prepared. These are the essentials.
How to choose the right instructor
Your instructor matters as much as the airplane. Look for someone available on your schedule, who explains things clearly, and who you simply get along with. A great instructor you can fly with twice a week beats a famous school you can only reach occasionally. It is completely normal to switch instructors if the fit is not right, so do not stick with one out of obligation.
What to expect during training: the phases
- Pre-solo: basic control, takeoffs and landings, stalls, and the traffic pattern, ending in your first solo.
- Solo and cross-country: building solo time and learning to navigate to other airports.
- Checkride prep: polishing maneuvers to ACS standards and completing the required experience.
Tips to get through training efficiently
- Fly consistently and study before every lesson
- Finish the written exam early
- Do a mock checkride with another instructor before the real one
- Keep your logbook organized so you can easily prove your experience
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step?
A discovery flight, then choosing a flight school and applying for your student pilot certificate.
Do I need a medical before I start?
Not for your first dual lessons, but you must have a medical before you fly solo, so get it early.
How do I choose a flight school?
Pick one where you can fly consistently, with available aircraft and instructors you click with. Frequency of flying matters more than almost anything else.
What should I buy before my first lesson?
A headset, a logbook, a kneeboard, and a student kit cover the basics.