A private pilot is one who flies for pleasure or personal business without accepting compensation for flying. The vast majority of pilots have this certificate. It allows the pilot to take command of any aircraft for any noncommercial purpose and gives almost unlimited authority to fly VFR. The private pilot may also carry passengers. As a training program under 14 CFR Part 61, a minimum of 40 flight hours are required, including 20 dual hours (with a CFI) and 10 solo hours.
| Lesson Name | Ground Time | Dual Time | Solo Time | Total Time | Inst Time | Night Time | XC Time | |
| 1 | Introduction to Flight | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 | ||||
| 2 | Basic Flight Maneuvers | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 | ||||
| 3 | Slow Flight | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 | ||||
| 4 | Stalls | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 5 | Steep Turns and Slips | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 6 | Emergency Procedures | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 7 | Ground Reference Maneuvers | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 8 | Traffic Patterns | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 9 | Normal Takeoffs and Landings | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 10 | Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 11 | Presolo Preparation | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 12 | First Solo - Takeoffs and Landings | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | |||
| 13 | Short and Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 14 | Second Solo - Takeoffs and Landings | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | |||
| 15 | Third Solo - Takeoffs and Landings | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | ||||
| 16 | Instrument Flying | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | |||
| 17 | Fourth Solo - Slow Flight and Stalls | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 18 | Night Operations | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | ||
| 19 | Navigation Procedures | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 | |||
| 20 | Fifth Solo - Ground Reference Maneuvers | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||||
| 21 | First Dual Cross Country | 2.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.5 | |||
| 22 | Second Dual Cross Country | 2.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | |
| 23 | First Solo Cross Country | 2.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.5 | |||
| 24 | Second Solo Cross Country | 2.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.5 | |||
| 25 | Practical Test Preparation #1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | ||||
| 26 | Practical Test Preparation #2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 | |||
| 27 | Practical Test Preparation #3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | ||||
| Total Listed: | 33.0 | 27.5 | 10.0 | 70.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 |