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Private Pilot

In the 1950s, the FAA determined the minimum requirement for a Private Pilot Certification to be 40 hours of total flight time. Since then, the nation's airspace, navigation/communication systems, weather reporting services and aircraft systems have increased dramatically in complexity. Today, the national average of flight time before Private Pilot certification is around 75 hours.

Lanier Flight Center students earn their certifications in an average 53 hours of total flight time, which represents a huge time and cost savings over the national average. We attribute this high quality performance to several factors:

1. Our instructors are dedicated, full-time professionals who work under the close supervision of senior pilots who have thousands of hours of airline experience.
2. Our fleet is virtually brand new and upgraded as needed to provide more than enough planes for the students/club members we serve.
3. Our maintenance is done right on the field at Gainesville by top-notch FAA certified mechanics. Everything works, all the time. Safety and high quality training are our highest priorities and this comittment to excellence is reflected in our maintenance standards.

What it takes to earn a Private Pilot Certification:

Total Time: 40 hours minimum which consists of at least:

Dual: 20 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

1. 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane;
2. 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least:
   a) 1 cross country flight of over 100 nm total distance; and
   b) 10 T/O's and 10 landings to a full stop with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.
3. 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
4. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test.

Solo: 10 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation including:

1. 5 hours of solo cross country flying;
2. 1 solo cross country flight of at least 150nm total distance with full stop landings at 3 points and one segment of at least 50nm between T/O and landings; and
3. 3 T/O's and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower.