PPL timeline

[hooked4life]

I was just wondering, on average, how long does it take someone to obtain their Private license. I've read that it can take anywhere from 40-80 hours before being ready to take a checkride, but how long is that in terms of weeks/months if you're training full time?

[Goldy]

I was just wondering, on average, how long does it take someone to obtain their Private license. I've read that it can take anywhere from 40-80 hours before being ready to take a checkride, but how long is that in terms of weeks/months if you're training full time?

 

 

Well lets just say that the average is 60 hours....so at 5 one hour flights a week, that would be around 12 weeks. Dont forget if your in a rush it could take 3 weeks to schedule your DPE ride and around 12 months to get the Robinson safety course..if you should need that.

 

The range is really up to you. How much do you want to study, and how fast do you want to spend money.

 

I have seen one guy go from zero hours to commercial Helo license in just under 3 months. In my case, due to my stellar learning abilities, money is no object, and extreme dedication, I got my private helo license in just over 19 years....see, I told you there is a range !

 

Most will complete their PPL within a 6 month period, start to finish...it can certainly be done faster.

 

Goldy

Edited September 2, 2007 by Goldy

[Privateer]

Like everyone told me "it varies". I just got mine a few days ago, and logged 70 hours and about 3 months of 3 times a week. I don't think of much difference between the 60 to 80 hours since you need to schedule your check ride, and want to keep flying up to exam time. I probably logged an extra 8 or 10 hours just to keep practicing while waiting for my exam date. Good luck and have fun.

[kodoz]

This week I take my check ride--assuming I pass, I'll have done it in about 6 weeks time. Since the school I'm going to isn't near home, I spread out those 6 weeks over 3 months into 10-day sessions where I flew 2x per day and took 1 ground lesson per day for 8 of 10 days. When I'm at school I don't do anything but fly, study, and sleep, when I'm at home I try and get ahead on my ground. Going this route has been hard, and there were times on my second flight of the day where my instructor said he could tell I was "off". If you have a choice, spread it out some, and either way get a jump on your ground before you start flying.

--c

[mechanic]

In my case, due to my stellar learning abilities, money is no object, and extreme dedication, I got my private helo license in just over 19 years....see, I told you there is a range !

 

Goldy

 

 

I am following Goldies example! 2+ years and 26 hrs TT wha whoo, I am really on my way now, lol.... I read the job adds as much as reading this forum. I have yet to find another job that I can pay the bills and fly. I just asked to take my vacation again and the boss laughed and said forget it.. Been thinking of the ANG and getting a part time job. The big problem is my kids start graduating this year, then there is college starting this summer. So, I have to put their needs ahead of mine for now. Oh well, thats what being a dad means sometimes.........

 

Good Luck with your training...

[hooked4life]

thanks for the info guys

[GarrettDavid38]

I just have finished my ppl in rotorcraft. I took me 7 months and 46 hrs of flight time. I just ordered my instrument studying material to get ready for my instrument written. Now that i have my ppl i have a idea of what i need to do well prepare myself for the test, such as i didn't start studying for the ppl written exam until i had like 40 hrs. People tell u to study study study and study some more on this forum for a reason and its not just for your health.

[hooked4life]

thanks, GarrettDavid38. I guess STUDY=IMPORTANT

[Copterpilot213]

It took me 5-6 months and 76 hours, I had to wait a bit for a DPE to be available so I could have conceivably taken it around 68 hours but it was all good.

 

I've seen some people do it at 45 hours and others at 95 hours and everything in between, it all depends. If you fly more often it can help because then it's all fresh. There is such a thing as flying TOO often as well though.