Private pilot Cert average time to pass checkride?

Question

I see that the average time to pass the checkride for a PPL is about 65 hours. Why do you pilots or CFIs out there think this is? Is it because many people just jump into pilot training with no clue what anything on an airplane is? Or is it just muscle memory of the planes movements? Perhaps not preparing enough for the lessons? Or are most new pilots "old" people?

I am pretty good at flight simulator and I learn things quickly... is it possible to be prepared after 40 hours? Or is it just a matter of how long it take for my muscles to get used to the actions/reactions (like riding a bike)? How would I prepare myself... My goal is to start flying the lessons and say, "Okay teach me something I don't already know :)"

Also, I heard some places don't charge for instruction fees if you rent thier' plane... is this true? Is it rare?

Answer 1

my friend you are in for a big surprise!!!  65 is for slower learners it took me 40 to get my checkride.  but I also didnt log a million hours on flight simulater and claim to know everything.  you cant go into it thinking that because you can fly a video game is equivelant to flying the real thing because some of the differneces are your body and the forces of flight, and all the other good stuff.  Trust me you may be the ace of slight sim but it is alot different in the real cockpit

Answer 2

You probably can do it in 40 hours. Just keep up the lessons 2-3 a week. The problem most people run into is money. It will cost about $5000 to get the PPL. Also as you mention some students want to be spoon fed their lessons and it takes more time if you are not prepared for the next lesson and no not all new pilots are "old" You will find all age groups.

Your aggressive attitude is good, to a certain point. Over aggressiveness in flying can kill you. But you probably can relate to that in scuba diving, same thing it can kill you too.

Finding a good instructor is part of the equation. I have seen instructors that are not sure of themselves and afraid to sign off students to solo because they are not sure if the student can do it. An experienced instructor is a must.

As far as free instructing, I don't think so because usually the only money they make is when they are in the air. It might be rolled into the rental charge for the plane.

Good luck.

Answer 3

A couple of more observations in addition to the comments above:

1) learning on a flight sim assumes that you are "teaching" yourself the right way. This is almost never the case. You'll end up with bad habits that your instructor will spend extra time correcting.

2) Pay for an experienced instructor, some one who has graduated hundreds of students. Look for a Gold Seal instructor.

You'll pay more per hour but it will be cheaper in the long run both in time to get your license and how well you really understand what it means to be a pilot.

3) The hours it takes to get a private license vary greatly based on location. If you are learning and will solo in a high traffic density airspace like NYC, LA, SF, etc. and are flying from a high traffic volume field, you can easily add 20-30 hours compared to someone flying out of an uncontrolled field. However, once you have your license, you won't be so intimidated about flying into complex airspace. You can learn how to handle these situations before or after you get your license. So the hours to a license is not really a fixed standard in terms of your ability to handle a variety of situations.

4) Finally, based on your comments about the flight sim, you are confusing manipulating the controls of a plane with being a pilot. The difference is judgement and that comes slowly. Even the private pilot flight test doesn't really test for judgement. You really only start to build it once you are on your own.

Answer 4

It takes longer because few schedule frequent lessons.  

Read the FAA books and take the written exam before beginning flight instruction.

Sound cocky to an instructor if you don't want him to teach you anything, or want your lessons to be a nightmare.  When you finish your Airline Transport Pilot training there will still be very much you don't know.

Some places don't charge for instruction?  Maybe, with a high enough rent rate--just never heard of it.

Answer 5

as you know, there is a 50hr legal minimum for the ppl with an extra 5hrs if you want a night rating as well. so the extra 10-15hrs would just be consolidation before the checkride. this may be due to a number of factors like how often the student flys, availability of an examiner etc. i suggest you book the examiner early so that you can do the test after you satisfy the hr requirements.

Answer 6

The minimum is 35 hours (part 141) and 40 hours (part 61)hours and while there is no problem taking longer, there is obviously the associated cost with it.

What I have seen is those who schedule to fly 3+ times a week are more likely to complete their training earlier than those who schedule once every 1-2 weeks.

In getting your license, the lessions build off one another... so to do a manuver, and then wait 2 weeks to fly again, you will need to build proficancy with that manuver before moving on to the next thing.

This being the case, it is best to get enough money together so you can get up at least 2 times a week (book 3-4 as weather will cancel a bunch of them) as your last lession will be fresh in your mind and motor skills, as you put it, and you will be able to advance quicker.

Go to your local flight school and ask them for a discovery flight.  They are usually 30 min intro flights that will give you a general feel for what you are about to undertake.  If you like it, schedule some lessons.

It's a great hobby where have the fun will be sitting in your local flight school talking with other pilots and grading landings out the window.

Blue Skies!  Ian

Answer 7

Why not ask Mohammid Atta

He seemed to know what he was doing !

Answer 8

Here we go again, the age old argument about flight sims vs. real life.  Here it is: flight sims do a good job on showing you a preview of what it's like to fly a plane, and do a pretty good job on training for instruments.  Now you can be the ace on the PC, training on full realism, and flying perfectly.  Now you go out, start your first lesson, and you will be instantly humbled when you can barely taxi a plane on the ground, let alone fly one in a straight line.  Your experience will no doubt help you learn things much faster, but flying takes much practice, there are many things to know and do, and it is not something that can be taken lightly if you want to ever get your certificate.  That said, I'm sure you'd do fine and would learn quick, and there's a pretty good chance you'd pass your checkride at the 40 hour mark.  Good luck!