Your Aviation Journey
Private Pilot Through CFII
Build your aviation skills step by step. The following pathway provides an overview of training requirements and estimated costs.
01
Private Pilot Certificate — ASEL
14 CFR §61.109
- Age 17+ and able to read, speak, write and understand English.
- At least a 3rd-class medical certificate (or BasicMed once eligible).
- Pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test.
- 40 hours total flight time minimum, including required instructor, cross-country, night, instrument, checkride-preparation and solo experience.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$9,600
National Average / Estimate
$12,900
02
Instrument Rating — Airplane
14 CFR §61.65
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with an airplane rating.
- English proficient and pass the FAA instrument-rating knowledge test.
- 50 hours cross-country PIC time, with at least 10 hours in airplanes.
- 40 hours actual or simulated instrument time, including required CFII instruction, checkride preparation and IFR cross-country training.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$7,725
National Average / Estimate
$10,200
03
Commercial Pilot Certificate — ASEL
14 CFR §61.129(a)
- Age 18+ and hold a Private Pilot Certificate.
- Hold the appropriate medical certificate and pass the FAA commercial knowledge test.
- 250 hours total flight time minimum with required powered-aircraft, airplane, PIC, cross-country, instructor and solo/PIC experience.
- Complete applicable complex, turbine or TAA, day/night cross-country, instrument and checkride-preparation training.
- Pass the practical test.
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$42,750
National Average / Estimate
$45,225
04
Multi-Engine Commercial Add-On
14 CFR §61.63(c)
- No FAA-mandated minimum flight hours for the add-on itself.
- Receive and log required ground and flight training in applicable multiengine areas of operation.
- Receive instructor endorsement certifying readiness.
- Pass the practical test in a multiengine airplane.
- Planning estimate assumes about 10 hours of dual multiengine time.
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$4,750
National Average / Estimate
$4,750
05
Certificated Flight Instructor — CFI
14 CFR §61.183
- Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP with appropriate category/class rating.
- Hold an instrument rating when required.
- Pass applicable FOI and Flight Instructor knowledge tests.
- Receive and log required instructional knowledge and flight training.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$7,800
National Average / Estimate
$7,800
06
Certificated Flight Instructor–Instrument — CFII
Applicable FAA Flight Instructor Regulations
- Hold the certificates and ratings required for the instrument-instructor privileges sought.
- Pass the applicable Flight Instructor Instrument knowledge test.
- Receive and log required training for instrument instruction.
- Training is proficiency and endorsement based.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
FAA Minimum / Estimate
$7,800
National Average / Estimate
$7,800