Certification Program
The full pilot's license. Fly passengers, travel cross-country, and unlock every advanced rating that follows. This is where aviation really opens up.
The Private Pilot Certificate is the most widely held certificate in aviation — and the gateway to every advanced rating from Instrument to ATP. It gives you the freedom to fly passengers, travel cross-country, and operate day or night. You'll train in the Remos GX, a modern LSA that builds strong fundamentals at lower hourly costs.
The FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours; most students finish in 55–65. Your FES instructor paces training to your schedule and learning style — not a fixed clock.
All Sport Pilot maneuvers plus ground reference maneuvers, steep turns, stall series, and emergency procedures to private pilot standards.
Planning and executing flights to distant airports — including a solo cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles.
Flying after dark — night takeoffs, landings, navigation, and understanding how nighttime changes situational awareness.
Advanced weather reading and go/no-go judgment for cross-country planning, including personal minimums and risk assessment.
VOR, GPS, pilotage, dead reckoning, and aviation charts — including Class B, C, D, and E airspace operations near Phoenix.
Private pilot rules, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), risk management, and crew resource management concepts.
What's Next
Estimated Cost
Every student progresses differently. The table below reflects a typical FES student — not FAA minimums alone. Your actual cost may be lower or higher depending on preparation and lesson frequency.
This is an estimate, not a quote. LSA rental rates include fuel. Figures reflect typical student progress at FES — not FAA minimums alone. Actual cost may be lower or higher depending on student preparation and lesson frequency. Students who fly 2–3 times per week and maintain consistent home study typically progress fastest. Instructor rates start at $50/hr; senior instructor rates may be higher. Pricing current as of July 2026.
Ready to Fly?
The best way to know if the Private Pilot Certificate is right for you is to get in the air. A Discovery Flight puts you in the cockpit over the Phoenix Valley — no experience needed.