Private Pilot Training

The Private Pilot Certificate, internationally referred to as the Private Pilot License, allows students to obtain the foundational knowledge and skills for all future aircraft pilot training. Earning your private pilot’s license is your first step into the world of flight.

Getting Your Private Pilot License (PPL)

  • Vegas Aviation’s flight training program unlocks a world of opportunities for personal travel, recreational flying, and further certifications in aviation.
  • We provide a structured curriculum to guide you through mastering safe and confident flight operations, step-by-step.
  • Benefit from a dedicated flight training schedule tailored for optimal learning and skill development.
  • Following the attainment of your Private Pilot Certificate, many individuals pursue additional endorsements, ratings, or advanced certifications

Why Choose Vegas Aviation Flight School?

  • Safety First: Your safety is our top priority. We maintain rigorous safety standards and adhere to all FAA regulations to ensure that you receive the highest level of instruction in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Experienced Instructors: Our team of FAA-certified flight instructors brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. They are dedicated to providing personalized instruction tailored to your learning style and pace.
  • State of the Art Facilities: Train in a fleet of aircraft equipped with the latest avionics technology and safety features, including our Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). This simulator enables aspiring pilots to build confidence, and log hours regardless of the weather.
  • Flexible Scheduling: We understand that everyone has unique commitments and schedules. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy lifestyle. Whether you prefer to fly during weekdays or weekends, we’ll work with you to create a customized flight training plan.

Private Pilot License FAQ

  • Age:Ā  Must be at least 17 years old.
  • Language Proficiency:Ā  Proficient in English.
  • Medical Certificate:Ā  Hold a valid FAA-issued medical certificate.
  • Flight Hours: Ā Log at least 40 hours of flight time*. This includes at least 10 hours of solo flying, five hours of which mustĀ be dedicated to cross-country flights.
    *Note: 40 hours is a very ambitious schedule. The national average to complete a PPLĀ  is 70 hours.
  • Knowledge Test:Ā  Pass a written knowledge exam with a grade of at least 70%.
  • Practical Test:Ā  Pass an oral exam and take a practical flying test (known as a check ride) administered by an FAA-designated evaluator.

FAQ: Private Pilot License Costs

1. How much does it cost to obtain a private pilot license (PPL)? The expenses for a private pilot license (PPL) typically range between $15,000 and $20,000.

2. What are the primary expenses associated with obtaining a PPL? Main expenses include flight instruction fees, aircraft rental costs, study materials, examination fees, and medical examination expenses.

3. How can I minimize the costs of getting a PPL? To reduce expenses, consider options like joining flying clubs, applying for scholarships, searching for discounted rates, time-building with other students and efficient studying methods.

4. Are there ongoing expenses once I obtain a PPL? Yes, ongoing costs include aircraft rental, fuel, and periodic medical certificate renewals.

5. Does the type of aircraft used for training impact costs? Yes, the type of aircraft used for training can influence costs, with newer and more complex aircraft generally incurring higher expenses.

6. How long does it take to obtain a PPL, and does duration affect costs?Ā 

7. Can I estimate the total costs of obtaining a PPL beforehand? Yes, flight schools often provide breakdowns of costs to help prospective students estimate expenses.

8. Are there any hidden costs associated with PPL training? Be aware of potential hidden costs such as retesting fees and unexpected medical expenses.

9. Where can I find more information about PPL costs and training? For further details, reach out to flight schools, aviation organizations, and explore online resources.

The national average for students to complete their private pilot training is approximately 70 hours of total flight time. However, it’s important to note that this duration can vary significantly depending on individual factors such as aptitude, learning pace, weather conditions and availability for training.

Alongside loans from private banks and credit unions, Sallie Mae provides loans for aviation school, including flight training. Private flight school finance firms like Stratus Financial are also available. Additionally, some flight schools offer their own financing options or scholarships to aid with training expenses.

No, our flight school welcomes students with any level of experience, from total beginners to those with prior flying experience.
  • Came from Australia for a U.S. holiday and some pilot-sightseeing. Did a checkflight here and then took one of their 172’s out to the canyon. Great work by their team... read more

    Andrew Gellert Avatar Andrew Gellert

    Adrian took me in a course, and showed me the basics of flying instruction, and with great patience and friendly of making me understand the course clearly. Definitely convinced... read more

    LUIS LOPEZ Avatar LUIS LOPEZ

    Fantastic flight with Haylee. Great fun and super accommodating CFI. Came out for a trip while I was a student and got to give a private tour of the... read more

    Jason Costa Avatar Jason Costa

    Did the discovery flight with my son for his birthday. Awesome flight. My son got to control the throttle and control the yoke all the way up to the time... read more

    Daniel Isfalt Avatar Daniel Isfalt

    This has got to be one of the best flight schools around. There isn’t a single thing I would change!

    Tate Hughes Avatar Tate Hughes

    Vegas Aviation is top notch. I switched over to VA from another school in the valley to finish my PPL and immediately felt right at home. The rates are... read more

    Matt Nissen Avatar Matt Nissen
  • Awesome Flight School with the Best Staff! Vegas Aviation is hands down one of the best flight schools in Las Vegas! The staff is super friendly and always ready to... read more

    Isaiah Pereira Avatar Isaiah Pereira

    Had a great fly today with Rylan! Great club with well maintained aircrafts.

    Guy Strauss Avatar Guy Strauss

    Awesome service. I had an issue after hours on a Friday night and noticed they were still working, young mechanic was more than willing to help address my problem.... read more

    Branden Jenkins Avatar Branden Jenkins

    Went on a couple flights with Vegas to learn the area and flying around Class B. The instructor, Haylee was great! She was knowledgeable, professional and made navigating the... read more

    Pete Avatar Pete

    Absolutely the best place to lose your fear of flying. I have ALWAYS had a phobia of flying and today I took my discovery flight with Alex Justice. He is... read more

    Stephanie Estrada Avatar Stephanie Estrada

    Awesome Flight school! Everyone here is friendly and super helpful. Amber is an amazing instructor, she is super responsive and wants the best for you. She has a... read more

    Conrad Chi Avatar Conrad Chi
  • Amazing school, low prices, and the best instructors. They really care about improving their students development.

    Holly Kirchberg Avatar Holly Kirchberg

    From the flight school to the maintenance, I will only bring my personal plane here for a reason. Mechanics are on top of their work and would highly. Their rental... read more

    Weston Prince Avatar Weston Prince

    Leo and Loius went above and beyond to get my C206 fixed with short notice. You can feel they care about their customers and they will go the extra mile... read more

    Mathis Riiber Avatar Mathis Riiber

    Been searching for a really good flight school here in Vegas and this is so far the best one! They have everything you need esp when it comes to part... read more

    Kate Shanice Gabini Avatar Kate Shanice Gabini

    I have always wanted to learn how to fly but there was always something that got in the way. Earlier this year I decided to commit and finally make this... read more

    Anna G Avatar Anna G

    My son took his first discovery flight today. His instructor was Dorian, who was absolutely amazing. We were originally scheduled for a discovery flight two weeks ago and were second... read more

    Daniel Burgess [Police Services] Avatar Daniel Burgess [Police Services]
  • Great staff, instructors and maintenance team. Would recommend if anyone is interested in flight training in Vegas šŸ™Œ

    Heather Richards Avatar Heather Richards

    This was my first ever flight adventure here with Vegas Aviation! Our pilot Alex, who’s an amazing pilot, definitely made it an impeccable experience. While on the flight, we learned... read more

    Alodia Avatar Alodia

    Very disappointed in their policy and lack of support to keep children encouraged in their journey to become pilots. I am active duty airforce and my children have done discovery... read more

    Jannah Groce Avatar Jannah Groce

    Great flight school if you are looking to rent a plane to fly around in the area or go to the Grand Canyon. I already came with a US PPL,... read more

    Ron Avatar Ron

    Best Flight School!

    J G Avatar J G

    With out a doubt the best aviation school in Vegas! The team clearly takes pride in what they do! Adrian, takes the time to explain everything as best as... read more

    Egg Avatar Egg
  • Great place great people highly reccomend take an intro flight and discover the wonderful world of general aviation! Had an excellent time going up in one of the beautiful... read more

    Andrew Kushner Avatar Andrew Kushner

    From the moment I walked into VA, I felt welcomed with open arms. The VA team is extremely friendly and professional. And a HUGE shout out to Brad, my flight... read more

    Jonathan MartĆ­nez Avatar Jonathan MartĆ­nez

    5 Stars - Amazing Experience from Start to Finish! I had a fantastic experience with my aviation school here in Vegas! From the moment I walked in, everyone was incredibly friendly... read more

    Johnatan Dias Avatar Johnatan Dias

    This flight school has blown me away. The planes are in EXCELLENT condition, as they have their own maintenance on site. This is what really made me love Vegas Aviation... read more

    Fly Runway Heading Avatar Fly Runway Heading

    Vegas Aviation is truly the creme de la creme!! Everyone I encountered was super friendly and very knowledable, which set the groundwork for me to feel very comforatble throughout... read more

    Amanda Motto Avatar Amanda Motto

    I’m not local and need a flight school to help with a one-off instructional flight. I’ve been a CFI for 20 years and have seen a wide variety of flight... read more

    Josh Lorenz Avatar Josh Lorenz
  • I took my first discovery flight with Flore who was an amazing instructor. She was thorough throughout the entire flying procedure and I learned so much. Thank you Vegas Aviation... read more

    Matthew Sanchez Avatar Matthew Sanchez

    I had the best Discovery Flight experience with my Instructor Flore Fulleau! She made the introductory training fun, extremely educational and wanting to continue learning more with she and... read more

    marcus mitchell Avatar marcus mitchell

    Wow! What an incredible experience. Super glad I came to VA in Las Vegas. If you’ve never been on a discovery flight before, you are missing out. I was a... read more

    Joseph Dawoud Avatar Joseph Dawoud

    First time flying on a small aircraft! Great experience, smooth flight overall.

    Kai Fuji Avatar Kai Fuji

    Great place to learn how to fly!!

    Brad Sh Avatar Brad Sh

    I’ve got to say that Vegas aviation is by far the BEST flight school in the valley. I used to train at cactus but after making the switch, I wouldn’t... read more

    Michael Delk Avatar Michael Delk
  • I’ve moved a couple times because of work and kept up with my flight growing as I did and Vegas Aviation was the best school by far!

    Michael Motta Avatar Michael Motta

    Highly recommend for anyone in search of flight instruction. Flight instructors here are awesome and the whole environment is nothing like what I’ve seen in other flight schools. Very relaxed... read more

    Hieu Avatar Hieu

    Growing up in Wyoming, I couldn’t have ever imagined I could become even a student pilot. This opportunity was given to me when I moved to Vegas, and was allowed... read more

    AJW Avatar AJW

    What I think makes Vegas Aviation great is the quality of people they hire. They genuinely care and are there to help. Heather took me on and got me to... read more

    Mark Zinkel Avatar Mark Zinkel

    Vegas Aviation is great! Their instructors (especially Haylee, she's AWESOME) are super knowledgeable and nice and they focus all their attention on the student. This is the way to go... read more

    Aleem Ahmed Avatar Aleem Ahmed

    incredible!!

    DeShon Smith Avatar DeShon Smith
  • Fleet of smooth flying and reliable planes. I never had a problem getting a plane to train in. With their multiple planes and in-house mechanics, you will never... read more

    V P Avatar V P

    Incredible experience

    Garrick Tyler Avatar Garrick Tyler

    Great experience and wonderful customer service.. instructors Brad Shaw is the best

    john macharia Avatar john macharia

    Vegas aviation is the perfect place if you want to test out your flight dreams. You start with one discovery flight and end up sticking with them because they make... read more

    Alla Avatar Alla

    Just started to fly at Vegas Aviation this year and couldn’t be happier with my decision. The facility is well maintained and has all the tools to help you succeed... read more

    Max Green Avatar Max Green

    One of the best flight schools in Vegas! Their airplanes are up to date with modern avionics and prices are some of the best in the valley! Plus they have... read more

    David Modler Avatar David Modler
  • Awesome experience!! Had a great time on my 1st flight !āœˆļø everyones nice and helpful and want to see you succeed !

    uii sonoda Avatar uii sonoda

    Fantastic service! Had my transponder replaced in a day because the buttons on the old one weren't working, so I couldn't switch out of VFR to pick up VFR Flight... read more

    Ross Modglin Avatar Ross Modglin

    I love this people , they are fare and great to work with.they manage my Cirrus SR22 and alway on top of their game with maintenance & service. ... read more

    Kam Avatar Kam

    Discovery flight in the books! Awesome experience for the future pilot in the family! Excited for my future pilot to learn at Vegas Aviation!

    Heddy Jay Avatar Heddy Jay

    I am extremely disappointed with my experience here. I had spent thousands of dollars on training to ultimately leave empty handed. I had no issues initially, but as months went... read more

    Nayeli Cemente Avatar Nayeli Cemente

    This is by far the best flight school in Las Vegas. Stand by mechanics, professional staff, and most importantly, PASSIONATE flight instructors. Mitch, Brandon, and Dorian has taught me everything... read more

    Tj Singleton Avatar Tj Singleton
  • Had a great intro flight back in May. I will definitely reach back out to schedule flying lessons once I start with the online training

    Gideon Shalev Avatar Gideon Shalev

    Vegas Aviation is an exceptional place to learn how to fly for anyone that wishes to pursue this as a career in aviation or simply just a hobby. The team... read more

    Vanessa Castillo Avatar Vanessa Castillo

    This place is awesome. The owner, Louis, is not above rolling up his sleeves, so to speak, and working hand in hand along side his employees. Shout out... read more

    Kevin Matsumoto Avatar Kevin Matsumoto

    Love the CFIs and I’m learning a lot here while studying for my private license!

    Zion Byrd Avatar Zion Byrd

    A great flight school. My instructor, Amber, is very knowledgeable, patient with me, and a joy to fly with. She’s perfectly happy to go at whatever pace I’m comfortable... read more

    Matthew Watson Avatar Matthew Watson

    This was my first flight experience in Vegas. I called and asked about aircraft rentals and they were very friendly and professional on the phone. The facility is great! Clean... read more

    jeff underwood Avatar jeff underwood

Ready to Become a Private Pilot?

Achieve your dream of becoming a private pilot.Ā  Our friendly and knowledgeable instructors offer personalized lessons to help you achieve yourĀ  goals of becoming a pilot.