Tag Archives: Private Pilot License

How to Become a Private Pilot: A Step-by-Step Guide

6 January 2026   Pilots Private Jet

Today (Right this second!) is the best time to start training for your private pilot license (PPL), whether you want to fly in your personal capacity or join a major airline. Thousands of airline pilots will be retiring over the next ten years, giving you time to build expertise and flight hours. 

At Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), we support your dream of becoming a pilot. That is why we host two outstanding flight schools in NJ – Elite Flight Experience and Eagles View Flight School. Our airspace is uncrowded, making Monmouth the ideal airport for flight training. In this guide, we explore how to become a private pilot and all the steps you need to take. 

What is a Private Pilot License?

A private pilot license (PPL) is a certificate granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It allows a pilot to fly an aircraft for non-commercial purposes. What can you do with a PPL?

  • Fly for personal recreation or business.
  • Fly at night.
  • Fly internationally if you comply with specific entry procedures.
  • Tow unpowered ultralight vehicles and gliders under specific FAA requirements.
  • Become an airline pilot with further studies.

What can you not do with a PPL? You can take passengers when you fly with a PPL, but they cannot pay you for your services as a pilot. However, passengers are allowed to contribute a pro rata share of the flight’s operating expenses.

Steps to Get Your Private Pilot License

You must be 17 years old before you can earn a PPL. Let’s look at all the steps required: 

Step 1: Take a demonstration flight
Take a demonstration flight with Monmouth Executive Airport’s Young Aviator Club if you don’t already have a student pilot certificate. 

Step 2: Go for basic medical certification

Step 3: Select a pilot school for private pilot training

Step 4: Complete ground school
You study subjects such as FAA regulations, principles of navigation, weather avoidance, and stall/spin awareness. 

Step 5: Fly with an instructor

Step 6: Fly solo

Step 7: Take your written exam

Step 8: Take cross-country flights

Step 9: Do your check ride
This oral and practical test brings all aspects of your training together, and you can only schedule it when you have the required endorsements. A designated pilot examiner will ask you a series of questions to determine if you fulfill the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS). 

Step 10: Congratulations! You’re ready to soar.  

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Private Pilot License?

Finances and time are two factors that affect your private pilot certification timeline. You require a minimum of 40 hours of flight time for a PPL, but the reality is actually 70 hours, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). It includes 20 instruction hours and 10 solo hours. 

You can earn a private pilot certificate within three to six months, but airline pilot certification will take more than two years, as you need time to build up the required flight hours.

How to Become an Airline Pilot After a Private Pilot License

The three major U.S. airlines hired nearly two thousand pilots in the first half of 2025. You know how to become a private pilot, but what do you need to become a first officer at a major airline such as United? 

  • High school diploma/GED equivalent/bachelor’s degree
  • Private pilot license (PPL)
  • Commercial pilot license (CPL)
  • Unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate
  • Instrument rating
  • Multi-engine rating
  • Current FAA first-class medical certificate
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR)
  • Minimum of 1,500 hours of total time, 1,000 hours of fixed-wing turbine time, and 100 hours of flight time within the last 12 months.

Enhance your pilot training programs by attending as many aviation events as possible to build your network. ‘Who you know’ is important in the aviation industry. It might lead to your dream airline pilot position. Start training by contacting Monmouth today! You can also visit us at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com/

What to Expect from Your Flight Training

7 March 2023   Learn to Fly

Enrolling in flight training is a big dream that many people have. Maybe you’re interested in pursuing a career as a pilot, or perhaps you want to take up flying as a hobby. Whatever the reason, flight training is an essential step for anyone who wants to learn how to fly, and it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for when you enroll in flight school. Our team at Monmouth Jet Center in NJ is here to let you know what you can expect. 

Ground School 

Ground school is one of the first steps you’ll take when you sign up for flight training. As the name indicates, you’ll remain on the ground for this phase of flight school, and you’ll study aviation-related topics including airport rules, FAA regulations, weather patterns, aircraft controls, aerodynamics, and more. Ground school prepares you for the written exams you’ll need to take to get your pilot’s license. 

How Long is Flight Training?

Flight training for a private pilot’s license requires 40 hours of flight time. This can take anywhere from six months to three years depending on how frequently you can fly and how much money you can put towards your flight lessons. While the average time is more likely between one to two years.

The stages of flight training include:

  • Ground work 
  • Student pilot training
  • Passing all medical exams 
  • Final check ride test and certification

The length of your flight training will depend on which type of pilot’s license you want to get: student, private, commercial, or airline transport. Each level has its own set of requirements, however most people can expect to spend one to three years in flight training regardless of which license you pursue. 

When Do You Get To Fly Solo?

Taking your first solo flight is a big deal and an important rite of passage for anyone enrolled in flight training. However, like anything that’s worth having, flying solo is something you have to earn. Before you can fly solo you must pass all of the written exams, log a specific number of in-flight hours with an instructor, prove you can deal with common malfunctions, and demonstrate that you can handle abnormal situations. Once your instructor gives you the go-ahead to fly solo, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. 

Approximate Cost 

Flying can be an expensive hobby, and the cost depends on which pilot’s license you want to earn. Here are some approximate costs:

  • Sport pilot: $5,000
  • Recreational pilot: $7,000
  • Private pilot: $10,000
  • Commercial pilot: $30,000

If you’re interested in taking a few flying lessons without commiting to an entire flight training program, there are many flight schools that allow you to take several lessons to see if it’s something you’d be interested in pursuing further. It’s a great way to discover if you’re ready to turn your dream of flying into a reality. 

Whether you’re ready to enroll in flight training or you’re still thinking it over, our team at Monmouth Jet Center is here to answer any questions and provide you with more information. Please feel free to contact us today, we look forward to teaching you how to fly.