Each stage concludes with a formal stage check consisting of two hours of ground evaluation, a 1.5-hour flight evaluation, and a 0.5-hour preflight and postflight briefing.

Stage I — Pre-Solo Training

Develop a strong foundation in aircraft control, airport operations, takeoffs and landings, slow flight, stalls, ground-reference maneuvers, emergency procedures, radio communications, and aeronautical decision-making.

During this stage, you will learn to safely operate the aircraft independently and prepare for your first supervised solo flight.

Stage II — Cross-Country Flying

Expand your skills beyond the local training area through navigation, weather analysis, flight planning, night operations, basic instrument flying, radio communications, diversions, fuel management, and operations at towered airports.

This stage includes dual and solo cross-country training, night training, simulated instrument training, and the FAA-required solo cross-country flight.

Stage III — Checkride Preparation

Refine your flying skills, strengthen your aeronautical knowledge, and demonstrate consistent performance according to the FAA Airman Certification Standards.

This stage includes scenario-based training, mock oral evaluations, practical-test preparation, and a final stage check before receiving your instructor’s recommendation for the FAA practical test.

For the best results, we recommend completing 3–6 flight and ground training sessions each week. Students who maintain this pace can typically complete the Private Pilot Certificate in approximately 3–6 months.

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 total flight hours for the Private Pilot Certificate, including at least 20 hours of flight instruction and 10 hours of solo flight. While some students may complete training near the FAA minimum, most require additional time to develop the skill, judgment, confidence, and consistency needed to successfully pass the FAA practical test.

For realistic planning, we recommend budgeting for approximately 60 flight hours.

Our Private Pilot program combines flight training with structured, one-on-one ground instruction. Ground lessons support each phase of the course and cover flight planning, regulations, weather, aircraft systems, aeronautical knowledge, and the decision-making skills required to become a safe and capable pilot.

Training frequency directly affects both completion time and overall cost. Students who train consistently retain skills more effectively, progress faster, and are less likely to repeat previous lessons.

The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours for the Private Pilot Certificate. However, the minimum is an eligibility threshold—not a guaranteed completion time or a realistic budget for every student.

Some advertised estimates include only aircraft rental and flight instruction at or near the 40-hour minimum. Ground instruction, briefings, stage checks, testing fees, and additional proficiency training may not be included.

FalKor Aviation Academy provides both a 40-hour minimum-based illustration and a realistic 60-hour course estimate so you can clearly understand the difference.

FalKor 60-Hour Course Estimate

Our Private Pilot course estimate includes:

• 60 total flight hours
• 50 hours of dual flight instruction
• 10 hours of solo flight
• 28 regular flight lessons
• Three stage-check flights
• Preflight and postflight briefing for all 31 flight events
• 18 two-hour structured ground lessons
• Three two-hour ground stage checks

Stage-check flight time is included in the 60 total aircraft hours and 50 hours of dual instruction.

Choose the Aircraft That Fits Your Goals

Both aircraft options follow the same syllabus, stage structure, and training standards.

The Alpha Trainer provides the most cost-effective pathway to the Private Pilot Certificate. The Cessna 172S offers a larger four-seat platform, greater cabin space, stable handling, and glass-cockpit avionics suitable for advanced and instrument training.

Alpha Trainer LSA

Glass-Equipped Cessna 172S

The 40-hour figures are provided for comparison purposes only. They do not include ground instruction, briefings, stage checks, or additional training that may be required to reach practical-test standards.

The above prices assume that you have taken advantage of our 10-hour block rate discount program. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Although the FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours, reaching 40 hours does not automatically mean a student is ready for the practical test.

FalKor Aviation Academy recommends budgeting for approximately 60 flight hours. This provides a more realistic foundation for developing aircraft control, judgment, confidence, cross-country experience, and consistent practical-test performance.

Our estimate also includes structured ground instruction, meaningful preflight and postflight briefings, and formal stage checks throughout the course.

The lower figure represents what a minimum-hour training package might cost. The FalKor estimate represents what we believe students should realistically plan for when beginning their training.

Course estimates do not include:

• Sporty’s online ground-school course, unless included with enrollment
• FAA knowledge-test fee
• Designated Pilot Examiner fee
• FAA medical examination
• Renter’s insurance
• Headset, books, charts, or other pilot supplies
• Additional instruction required to reach proficiency

Course estimates are provided for planning purposes and are not fixed-price guarantees. Every student progresses differently, and final costs may vary based on preparation, training frequency, weather, aircraft availability, prior experience, and individual proficiency.

Students are billed only for the aircraft and instruction they use.

• Pay as you go (pay for each lesson as you complete them.)
• Discount "block time": Purchase 10 hours of flight time for a 10% discount. As long as you have hours on your contract, you just pay for the instructional time. 
• Program Financing. Finance up to 100% of your flight training, including deferred funding options via:
  • Stratus Financial. (Coming soon)
  • Affirm (Coming soon)
  • AOPA Financing https://finance.aopa.org/flight-training-finance 
  • Grant and Scholarship Programs: Click here

Applicants may begin training before meeting the age requirements for solo flight or certification. Before completing the course, the applicant must:

• Be at least 16 years old to fly solo.
• Be at least 17 years old to receive the Private Pilot Certificate.
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
• Obtain an FAA Student Pilot Certificate before solo flight. (covered at FalKor during Lesson 1)
• Hold at least a third-class FAA medical certificate before solo flight, unless otherwise eligible to operate under BasicMed. (covered at FalKor during Lesson 1)
• Provide the required proof of U.S. citizenship or complete the TSA Flight Training Security Program process, when applicable.
• Complete the required ground and flight training.
• Pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test. 
• Receive an instructor endorsement for the FAA practical test.
• Pass the FAA Practical Exam (oral and flight)

Students with questions or concerns about their medical history should speak with FalKor Aviation Academy before submitting an FAA MedXPress application. We will cover this during lesson 1

FAA 61.109

For a Private Pilot Certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, the FAA requires at least:

The required night training includes a cross-country flight of more than 100 nautical miles and 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop. The long solo cross-country must include full-stop landings at three points. Students must also complete three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.

The FAA’s 40-hour requirement is a regulatory minimum, not a guaranteed completion time. Students must demonstrate proficiency in all required knowledge, risk-management, and flight areas before receiving an instructor recommendation for the practical test.