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Blue Skies

Curriculum

Our curriculum is based on meeting the minimum requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 61. 

  • At least 40 hours of flight time with at least 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours solo flight

  • 3 hours of cross country flight instruction

  • 3 hours of night flight including a 100 mile Cross Country and 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport

  • 3 hours of simulated flight solely by using the instruments

  • 3 hours of checkride prep

  • 10 hours of solo including 5 of solo cross country time, one of which being a 150 mile cross country 

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Rarely do the minimum requirements provide the necessary experience, and proficiency for certification, therefore additional training time should be anticipated. Where the additional training is required will vary based on each learner. The FAA states that the national average for pilot certification is currently 75 hours of flight. It is important to budget for the higher end of flight time in case it is needed. Treat achieving your PPL in less time as a bonus, not an expectation. While I promise to train you as efficiently as possible, I cannot guarantee that you will be ready for a PPL checkride in the minimum amount of time. I personally needed 60 hours before I was ready to pass my PPL checkride. If you have any questions about what you can do to train as efficiently (least hours) as possible do not hesitate to reach out!

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Factors that impact how many hours you'll need to finish the course: 

  • Retention of prior teaching

  • Your ability to learn concepts to acceptable standards

  • How dedicated you are to self-studying 

  • Your availability to schedule lessons (Longer spacing between lessons leads to fading which often increases the amount of time since you will inevitably need to re-learn things)

  • Aircraft Availability and maintenance timing 

  • Weather (Poor weather makes it not possible to do lessons, a good chance to keep up on ground work however)

  • FAA Pilot Examiner Availability (This has been an issue across the board for all as of late. I attempt to schedule Examiners ahead of when I think you'll be ready for a checkride.)

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The PPL curriculum is designed to logically progress through the requirements as efficiently as possible. It is broken into three stages. The three stages include flight and ground training.

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Basics and Pre-Solo

  1. Demo flight - Straight and level flight and turns, climbs, and descents​

  2. Introduction to slow flight and flight maneuvers (Ground reference maneuvers, stalls, steep turns)

  3. Learning how to land

  4. Diversion to alternative airports, more landings

  5. Emergency procedures

  6. Pre-solo phase check and preparation

  7. First solo!

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Cross Country Flying

  1. Performance takeoff and landings​

  2. Basic navigation, including trips to other airports

  3. More solo 

  4. Diversion to alternative airports, more landings

  5. Cross Country Dual (with instructor)

  6. Intro to flying at night

  7. Night Cross Country Dual

  8. Maneuvers and Landing refresher as needed

  9. Solo Short Cross Country

  10. Solo Long Cross Country

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Preparing for your Checkride​

  1. Review of Maneuvers

  2. Review of Landings

  3. Ground Prep Work including Mock Oral Test

  4. Mock Checkride Flight

  5. Review of any areas as needed

  6. Practical Test Signoff!

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