How Long Does It Take to Get Your Private Pilot License?
Published by:
Emma Justis
This is one of the most common questions I get as a Flight Instructor: “How long does it take to get my Private Pilot License?” The honest answer is: it depends.
There are three key elements that determine your timeline:
- Money available
- Time available
- Personal performance (study habits, consistency, and how quickly you retain skills)
Accelerated Path (5+ flights per week)
If you have the funds, the time to fly ~5 days per week, and you’re dedicated to studying, you can finish quickly.
Real example: I had a student who set a goal to finish in about a month.
- We flew every good-weather day, sometimes twice.
- On poor-weather days, we focused on ground lessons.
- He studied at home on his “off” time.
- Day 34: checkride scheduled.
- Day 40: weather delay pushed the checkride, then completed.
With commitment and consistency, an accelerated schedule can get you to your PPL in roughly 4–6 weeks, weather permitting.
Typical Pace (1–2 flights per week)
Most students I see fly once or twice per week.
- Twice per week + consistent self-study: about 4 months is common.
- Once per week or inconsistent schedule: anywhere from 6 months to 1 year.
Why the spread? Aviation is a skill-retention game. The longer the gaps between lessons, the more time you spend re-learning, which adds hours and extends the calendar.
Why Consistency Matters
Learning to fly is like learning a language or a sport. You improve faster with frequent, consistent practice. Long gaps mean lost proficiency, which you must rebuild before progressing, costing more time and money overall.
How to Choose Your Pace
Ask yourself the three big questions:
- Money: Can I budget for a consistent schedule?
- Time: Can I fly 5x/week (accelerated) or 2x/week (steady progress)?
- Performance: Am I willing to study at home and show up prepared?
If you can fly 5x/week, you’ll likely finish with lower total flight time.
If you can fly 1–2x/week, expect higher total time at the checkride, which is okay. It simply takes a bit more patience and budget.
Pro Tips for Staying on Track
- Schedule in advance and protect your lesson slots.
- Study at home (POH, ACS, airspace, comms, weather) to maximize cockpit time.
- Use sim time or chair-flying to rehearse flows and checklists.
- Communicate with your instructor about your goals, budget, and timeline.
If you’d like a personalized game plan, chat with your NV Flight instructor about your schedule and goals. We’ll help you map a realistic path to your checkride.
Until next time!
Emma Justis
Chief Pilot
NV Flight – Reno, NV
