How long does it take to solo?

Question

If I attend flight school once a week every week about how long would it take me to solo? (let's pretend I'm already passed the age when I can solo which is 16).

Answer 1

It all depends on you, I knew a guy that used to train at our airport and couldnt' solo after 26.3 hours he still wasn't safe in an airplane and the instructor finally dropped him because he couldn't learn the basics. ( Ironically he went to another airport and ended up killing himself and his new instructor) the instructor assumed he was somewhat competent having 1/2 the required hours for a private pilot ticket. The ntsb report said they taxied out took off the airplaine made a steep pitch up (85deg) climbed to about 350agl, stalled and slammed back into runway head first.... Others solo in as little as 10 hours.  ( just because you are not 16 does not mean that you can't take flight lessons) just that you cant solo. I know a lot of students that get training before thier b-day and solo on thier B-day!!

Answer 2

Soloed on my 16th birthday a long time ago. Impossible to say how long it would take "Captain Zach" as your flying skills are an unknown. If you are already past your 16th b-day when you start taking lessons, how long it takes to solo is of little importance, really. What will matter more is your overall progress.

Answer 3

You would probably do up to about 0.8 hours of training in each class. The PRACTICAL minimum for a solo is 8-10 hours (a your rate that's 10 to 12 weeks) of total training. The norm is in the 15 to 20 hours range (19 weeks - 24 weeks).

The key is to be consistent in your training throughout.  If you are flying 2 to 3 times per week you are MUCH more likely to be soloing near 10 hours, since you need very little time to 'refresh' during each flight.

EDIT:

Military training programs would make most civilian courses seem like a joke. They fly 3 times PER DAY with classes in between. I am not sure how the soloing goes but i know the whole course makes a PPL course look like an old dilapidated freight train (less than 10 hours mandatory). Some only allow you to sit flying tests ONCE/TWICE. No Reviews.

Answer 4

depends how quick you are and how easily you absorb things. Getting things faster or slower don't really have a bearing on how good a pilot you end up.

Some guys I know go solo in around 10 hours, others take longer up to maybe 20 hours. Depends on the individual

Answer 5

Stingjam's answer is right on.  Generally speaking, if you fly 5-6 times a week, you'll probably solo in 10-12 hours (about 2-3 weeks).  If you fly 3-4 times a week, you'll probably solo in 12-15 hours (3-4 weeks).  If you only fly once a week, you'll probably solo in 20-30 hours or more (plan on 6 months to a year).

The most cost effective way to train is save your money and then fly as much as you can.