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Private Pilot License Course Requirements

To be eligible to pursue your Private Pilot License, you must:

  •  Be at least 16 years old to fly solo. (Many of our students start around 14)
  •  Be at least 17 years old to receive your private pilot certificate.
  •  Read, speak, write, and understand English.
  •  Obtain at least a third-class medical certificate. Please see "Medical" in the site menu at the top of the page.
  •  Perform basic math: adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
  •  Take the Private Pilot Ground School class offered at Aspen Public School and or complete a on-line training program.
  •  Start Your Training After You Complete the FREE Every Student Flies Intro Lesson. Only available to Aspen High School Students

Private Pilot License Course Overview

The Private Pilot course is the first course taken by new student pilots. Aspen Flight Academy values the importance of a strong foundation and provides a blended instructional approach that includes our online  ground school and classroom program via the Aspen Public High School or one our our approved on line programs, and Aviation Skill Development. You will learn basic aerodynamics, FAA regulations, aircraft weight balance, and aircraft performance in the classroom and simulator training. Flight lessons within the course include maneuvers and procedures required for students to solo the aircraft and conduct a daytime cross-country flight. As a flight school, our training ensures (Airman Certification Standards) for all students.

Upon the successful completion of the Private Pilot course, students will have gained the aeronautical experience necessary to apply for an FAA Private Pilot Certificate (PPL), the first step to becoming a  Professional Pilot.

All Private Pilot training flights are conducted in late model Technological Advanced Aircraft Diamond DA40's. Aircraft delivered after 2008 are also equipped with ADSB,-capable instrument-certified GPS.

Private Pilot License Course Training

The FAA requires students to log a minimum of 35 total flight hours in order to be eligible for the Private Pilot’s License (PPL); however, with today’s technology, fewer than 5% of pilots complete their training within the minimum flight requirements. From our experience, students need a minimum of 60 airplane flight hours to meet the PPL requirements. Students that progress quickly through the courses are proficient at English, usually fly 3 times per week, work hard in their ground lessons, and study independently. They have also taken courses through Aspen Public School and also use the on line training aids.

Private Pilot License Course Tuition 
Tuition Estimates As Of August 2019

Sportys On Line Class After Your Every Student Flies Hour is FREE, a 200.00 value
Aviation Skills Development – 200 Hours If student Take the Ground School at Aspen Public High School - FREE
Simulator – DA 40 - Full Motion Sim Free For Aspen Public High School Students/ Instructor – 15 Hours@75.00per/hr
Flight – Flight In our DA40 with Instructor – 75 Hours @ 225.00
Solo Flight – DA40 – 10 Hours @ 150.00
One-on-One Ground Instruction – 20 Hours @ 75.00
Pre/Post-Activity Briefing – 6 Hours @ 75.00

Total Course Time Can Range From 3 to 6 Months
Total Course Tuition: $ 21,450.00 EST.

What’s next after I earn my Private Pilot License?

Once you have earned your PPL, you will probably want to go on to the next rating: IFR Rating (Instrument Flight Rules), which is the next step toward the ultimate goal of becoming a  Professional Pilot. We can provide IFR training as well and look forward to helping you attain your flying goals!