Driving and flying
How long does it take to get a pilot license?
Updated
At least 40 hours of flight time for a private pilot certificate in the US, but about 75 hours on average, according to the FAA. At four hours a week that is about four and a half months. A commercial certificate takes at least 250 hours, and an airline transport pilot certificate 1,500.
When you reach each certificate
Minimums from the US Federal Aviation Regulations, plus the FAA’s average for private pilots. These count flight time only; ground school and exams come on top.
- Private pilot minimum
- 40 hours
At least 20 hours with an instructor and 10 solo, including cross-country, night and instrument time.
- Private pilot, US average
- About 75 hours
How long people actually take, by the FAA’s figure.
- Commercial pilot minimum
- 250 hours
The flight time needed before you can be paid to fly.
- Airline transport pilot minimum
- 1,500 hours
The certificate US airline pilots need, with 500 hours of cross-country and 100 at night among the 1,500.
| Certificate | 2 hours a week | 4 hours a week | 1 hour a day | 3 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private pilot minimum (40 hours) | 4½ months | 2½ months | 6 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Private pilot, US average (75 hours) | 9 months | 4½ months | 2½ months | 4 weeks |
| Commercial pilot minimum (250 hours) | 2 years 5 months | 14 months | 8 months | 2½ months |
| Airline transport pilot minimum (1,500 hours) | 14 years 4 months | 7 years 2 months | 4 years 1 month | 16 months |
Track your flight hours
Add Flying to 10k with sub-activities such as Dual, Solo and Ground school, and time each lesson. Your total shows how far you are from the next certificate. Your pilot logbook is still the official record.
Questions and answers
Can I get a private pilot license in 40 hours?
40 hours is the legal minimum. The FAA says the US average is about 75 hours.
How many hours do airline pilots need?
At least 1,500 hours of total time for an airline transport pilot certificate in the US, including 500 hours of cross-country and 100 at night.
Does 10k replace my pilot logbook?
No. 10k shows how your hours add up over time, but your pilot logbook remains the official record.
Sources
Related pages
- How long does it take to learn to drive?
50 to 65 hours of supervised practice before the road test.
- Manual time entries
Add sessions you forgot to time, and fix the start or end of any session.