Requirements

- Be at least 17 years of age* (you can start flying solo during training at age 16)

- Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language

- Obtain at least a current third-class medical certificate (easier than it sounds)

- Log at least 40** hours of flight training, which includes:

   -10 hours of solo flight (solo = all by yourself)

   -3 hours of cross country*** flight training with an instructor

   -5 hours of solo cross country flying

   -3 hours of night-flight training with an instructor

   -10 takeoffs and landings at night

   -3 takeoffs and landings at a towered airport (Salem is a towered airport)

   -1 long cross country flight (150 miles total - at least 50 miles between airports)

   -1 night cross country flight with your instructor (100 miles total)

   -3 hours of simulated instrument training (also referred to as "hood time")****

   -3 hours of checkride prep within the 2 months prior to your final checkride

- Complete an online or home-study ground school course (approx. 15 hours)

- Pass the FAA knowledge exam (60 question computerized exam - 70% to pass)

- Pass the practical test (checkride) with a designated pilot examiner

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* Although you must be age 16 to start flying solo, and age 17 to become a certificated private pilot, there is no minimum age to begin flight lessons - if your feet can reach the rudder pedals, you're good to go!

** The national average for a student pilot taking their final checkride is 67 hours of training, some can do it in as little as 40 hours (the required minimum) but that is rare and requires extreme dedication, study and skill.  Most people will take approximately 60 hours, give or take.

*** "Cross country" flying simply means a flight between two airports at least 50 miles apart.

**** Flying the airplane solely by reference to the flight instruments, not looking out the window.