FAA requirements for each certificate and rating. Know what you need before you start.
Every pilot certificate has a set of FAA-mandated minimums: age, medical, written exam score and flight hours. These are the legal floors. Most students exceed the hour minimums, and that is completely normal. All certificates also require a practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner.
01 /
Private Pilot License
PPL · FAR 61.103
PPL
EligibilityWho can earn a PPL
You must be at least 17 years old (solo at 16), able to read, speak, write and understand English, and hold at least a Third Class medical certificate. US citizenship or TSA clearance is required to begin training.
Minimum age
17 years
Solo age
16 years
Language
English
Medical
Third Class or higher
PAR
Written ExamFAA Knowledge Test (PAR)
Covers aerodynamics, weather, navigation, airspace, regulations, aircraft systems and flight planning. Passing score is 70%. We recommend scoring 85%+ on practice tests before sitting the exam. Cost is approximately $175 at a PSI testing center.
Format
Multiple choice
Passing score
70%
Cost
~$175
40
Flight HoursFAA minimums (national avg ~70+ hrs)
The FAA minimum is 40 total hours, including at least 20 hours of dual instruction with a CFI and 10 hours of solo flight time. The national average to earn a PPL is 70+ hours. Solo time must include specific cross-country, night and towered-airport requirements.
Total minimum
40 hours
Dual instruction
20 hours
Solo flight
10 hours
Practical test
Oral + flight checkride
02 /
Instrument Rating
IFR · FAR 61.65
IFR
EligibilityPrerequisites for instrument training
You must hold a current Private Pilot License and a valid medical certificate. No minimum age beyond the PPL requirement. English proficiency required. The instrument rating allows you to fly in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions) using cockpit instruments alone.
Prerequisite
Current PPL
Medical
Valid (any class)
Language
English
IRA
Written ExamFAA Instrument Knowledge Test (IRA)
Covers instrument procedures, approach plates, IFR regulations, weather theory, navigation systems and ATC procedures. Same 70% passing threshold. Instrument-specific topics like holding patterns, approaches and missed approach procedures are heavily tested.
Format
Multiple choice
Passing score
70%
Cost
~$175
50
Flight HoursCross-country + instrument time
50 hours of cross-country PIC time, 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, and 15 hours of instrument flight instruction from a CFII. Simulator time can be used for a portion of the instrument training requirement, making the Redbird MCX a valuable tool in the curriculum.
XC PIC time
50 hours
Instrument time
40 hours
Instrument instruction
15 hours
Practical test
Oral + flight checkride
03 /
Commercial Pilot License
CPL · FAR 61.123
CPL
EligibilityPrerequisites for commercial training
You must be at least 18 years old, read, speak, write and understand English, and hold at least a current instrument rating (or accept the VFR-only restriction on your commercial certificate). A First Class medical is recommended for commercial operations, though a Third Class suffices for the checkride.
Minimum age
18 years
Language
English
Prerequisite
Instrument rating (or VFR restriction)
Medical
First Class recommended
CAX
Written ExamFAA Commercial Knowledge Test (CAX)
Covers commercial operations, advanced weather, high-altitude operations, complex aircraft systems and commercial regulations. Passing score is 70%. Broader coverage than the PPL or IFR written exams.
Format
Multiple choice
Passing score
70%
Cost
~$175
250
Flight HoursTotal time minimum
250 hours total time is the FAA minimum. This includes all your PPL and IFR hours. The commercial training itself involves mastering commercial maneuvers (chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals, power-off 180s) and time-building in multi-hour solo blocks to reach the 250-hour threshold.
Total time
250 hours
PIC time
100 hours
XC PIC time
50 hours
Practical test
Oral + flight checkride
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Common to All
Every certificate
A · 01
Practical test.
Every certificate and rating requires a practical test (checkride) with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. This consists of an oral exam and a flight test.
A · 02
English proficiency.
You must be able to read, speak, write and understand English. This is an FAA requirement for all pilot certificates.
A · 03
Valid medical.
Your medical certificate must be current and valid for the certificate you hold. Get it early and renew on time.
A · 04
Minimums are floors.
Most students exceed the FAA hour minimums. That is completely normal and expected. The goal is proficiency, not minimum hours.
Plan
Know the bar, then clear it.
Understanding the requirements is step one. The next step is a conversation with Sam about your specific path, timeline and budget.
