FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Getting a sport or private pilot license: where?
Old Aug 30, 2020 | 12:13 pm
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LarryJ
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Originally Posted by fwerfel
I know nothing can replace experience, but what would be the minimum amount of time I'd need to have to get the PPL? I don't think you wanna pack 40h of flying into 2 weeks, but I can't be away for 6 months either...
I've seen a number of people do it in about a month. That requires 100% dedication to training and having finished the ground study and written test ahead of time. Unless you need to do it this quickly, I'd recommend a somewhat less strenuous pace. Two months, without any other obligations to tend to, would make it a much more comfortable pace and would likely be a more enjoyable experience.

A good forum for information about general aviation and flight training is the www.pilotsofamerica.com forum.

The FAA publishes a number of textbooks/handbooks that are inexpensive as trade paperbacks and free in electronic format.

The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli...aviation/phak/
The PHAK contains most of the information that you will need to learn to pass the required written test (knowlege test). If you are good at self-study, you can do most of the prep yourself with this handbook. There are other courses available, at varying costs, that repackage this information into other formats but this is the official FAA source for the information. The first chapter is an introduction to flying giving a history of aviation, the regulation of aviation, and the resources available to pilots.

The Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH) https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli...lane_handbook/
The AFH teaching the procedures and techniques used in flight training and in flying airplanes. This is about how you fly the airplane and operate within the national airspace system. The first chapter is an introduction to flight training.

Start with the first chapters of each of these books. You can download them without cost from the links I provided. You can then continue self-study, concentrating mostly on the PHAK but reference the AFH for information on what occurs during flight training as that can help you when you start investigating flight schools.
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