Required hours for private pilot license

To obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) in the United States under the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), you must meet certain flight hour requirements. Below are the general hour requirements for a PPL:

1. Total Flight Hours

You must log at least 40 hours of total flight time.

2. Flight Time Breakdown:

The 40 hours of total flight time should include the following:

20 hours of flight training with an instructor (dual flight time):
- This training must include the following:
  - 3 hours of night flight training.
  - 3 hours of cross-country flight training.
  - 3 hours of flight training on the control and maneuvering of an aircraft solely by reference to instruments (often called instrument training).
  - 3 hours of flight training within the 2 months preceding the practical test.
10 hours of solo flight time:
- This includes at least:
  - 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time (flights that are at least 50 nautical miles away from the starting point).
  - 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with landings at at least three different airports.

3. Other Required Flight Experience:

You must also demonstrate the ability to perform certain maneuvers and procedures, such as:
- Takeoffs and landings.
- Emergency procedures.
- Flight in varying weather conditions.
- Navigation, including cross-country flight planning and execution.

Additional Notes:

Flight time may include time logged as part of your flight training for other ratings, such as a sport pilot license or an instrument rating, as long as it meets the FAA's criteria.
Instrument and cross-country time can count towards the 40-hour requirement, as long as the time is logged correctly.

Summary of PPL Hour Requirements:

40 total hours of flight time.
- 20 hours with an instructor (dual flight).
- 10 hours of solo flight (including 5 hours of solo cross-country flight and 1 cross-country flight of 150 nm).
- Required specific training: 3 hours of night flight, 3 hours of cross-country flight, and 3 hours of instrument training.