What it Takes to get a Private Pilot's License

To obtain a Private Pilot Certificate, the FAA requires the applicant to hold at least a Third Class Medical Certificate and pass both a written and a flight test. An applicant must have gained at least the following minimum flight experience:

These minima are established by the FAA. The average person will require more than these minimum hours to complete the rating due to the increased number of subject areas in which a pilot must be proficient. The national average is about 75 hours.

The approximate cost for obtaining the private pilot certificate (based on 60 hours of flight time) can be estimated as follows:
* 60 hours of flight time in a C-150 @$49/hour ........... $2940
* 30 hours of dual instruction @ $30/hour ................. $900
* Third class medical certificate .......................... $70
* Miscellaneous Pilot Supplies ............................ $225
* Seven months Dues and Insurance @ $90/month ............. $630
* Membership and Initiation Fee............................ $500
* Sales taxes on flight time and supplies ................. $278
* FAA Written Exam ......................................... $60
* Flight Test Exam ........................................ $300

Total .................................................... $5903

No allowance was made for

BEFA members benefit because

  1. The quality of training at BEFA is assured through its programmed training curriculum and phase check system monitored by BEFA's safety officer.
  2. Pilot's logged flight time costs less by using tach hour rates. (Hobbs Hours shown above. Tach time is typically about 85% of Hobbs Time)
  3. Recommended optional ground school is provided at significantly lower cost than commercial flight schools.
  4. Training within the Seattle area prepares pilots to fly into small and large, controlled and uncontrolled airports and all types of airspace with complete confidence.
  5. Flying in Western Washington broadens pilot's exposure to most types of weather and terrain they would find anywhere.
  6. BEFA's insurance policy protects both BEFA and the pilot. Most FBO's policies give no protection to the pilot at all. At other places, the pilot can be held liable for the cost of any damages as well as daily charges as long as the aircraft is out of service. At BEFA, your maximum liability is the $1000 deductible.($2500 for seaplanes)
  7. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in owner's liability insurance.