Private Pilot Requirements

From Pilots Almanac

A Private Pilot Applicant must:

• be at least 17 years of age
• be able to read, speak, write, and converse fluently in English
• obtain a Student Pilot certificate and a third-class FAA medical certificate or higher
• must pass the private pilot Knowledge Test with a score of 70% or better

A Private Pilot Applicant must also have at least 40 Hours of flight time comprised of:

• 20 hours of flight training from a certificated flight instructor containing
  • 3 hours of dual cross-country
  • 3 hours at night flying
  • 1 night cross-country flight of over 100nm total distance
  • 10 night takeoffs and 10 night landings to a full stop
  • 3 hours instrument training
  • 3 hours private pilot practical test prep within 60 days prior to that test
• 10 hours of solo flight containing
  • 5 hours solo cross-country
  • 1 solo cross-country flight of at leat 150nm total distance with full stop landings at a minimum of 3 airports with one segement of at least 50nm.
  • 3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at a controlled airport

Finally, a Private Pilot applicant must pass a Private Pilot Practical Test.