How long does it take to get a small-craft pilot's license?

Question

I'd like to know

Answer 1

It depends on how much your into it. Ive had a really extremely committed student who finished in 49 hours and Ive had students that took over 130 hours. But hours aside the FAA mandates that you need 40 hours (Broken in to specific sections, refer to FAR part 61 for more info) to qualify for a Private ticket. I always tell people that want to learn to fly that the best thing that they can do is a course by Sportys, King Schools, or Jeppessen and read as much as you possibly can before even stepping foot inside the cockpit. This will save a lot of money and time!!!

Answer 2

Its based off hours in the air, so it really depends on you

Answer 3

There are other things involved other than in air time.  Ground school must be completed and for the most part this depends on classes running etc.  In Canada anyway you also have to write your PSTAR, pass the nav canada ground school exam, radio exam, and then the flight test.  Of course air time is a major component but all of the ground work does take considerable time.

I completed my training in 6 weeks.  I am of the opinion that you really can not do it any faster (give or take a weee little) than this with no previous experience.  I ate/slept/talked/dreamt aviation for the entire time doing studying/training full weekends, evenings etc with about 1-2 hr downtime a day.  I think the expectations of my course were a little tougher than the normal but  .. . .