YOU CAN FLY

Boeing forecasts 800,000 new pilots will be hired in the next twenty years.
https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/pilot-technician-outlook/

COLLEGES OFFERING AVIATION DEGREES
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/institutional_authority_list.pdf

FLIGHT SCHOOLS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH COLLEGES – in Northern Virgina

KJYO
Aero Elite
Aviation Adventures
OpenAir Flight Training
Nova Pilots
ATP

KHEF
American Aviation
Aviation Adventures
Commonwealth Aviation
Piston2jet
ATP

KPVG
Greycat Aviation

KEZF
JLS Aviation

FIND A LOCAL AIRPORT FLIGHT SCHOOL
https://www.aopa.org/learntofly/school/index.cfm

Cost Expectations (these costs are approximate using minimum required hours, varying by location and flight school)

PPL (40 hrs) ~ $12,000 – $18,000
Instrument (105 additional hours) ~ $8,000 – $12,000
CPL (250 total hours) ~ $8,000 training, plus $20,000 – $30,000 time building
MEL (add-on) ~ $4,000 – $6,000
CFI ~ $6,000-$9,000
CFII ~ $6,000
MEI ~ $7,000
Other Add-Ons
- Float Plane ~$2,500
- Tail-dragger (6-12 hours) ~$1,500

Minimum Age
None: Ground school, flying lessons
Age 8: EAA Young Eagles
Age 12: CAP (Civil Air Patrol)
Age 14: Solo glider or balloon
Age 16: Glider and ballon certificate
Age 16: Solo aircraft or helicopter
Age 16: Remote Pilot certificate (drones)
Age 17: Private Pilot certificate (aircraft or helicopter)
Age 17: Instrument rating
Age 18: Commercial Pilot certificate, Flight Instructor certificate
Age 18: FAA written for ATP-ME
Age 21: Airline Transport Pilot certificate (restricted ATP)
Age 23: Unrestricted ATP

🧭 One-Page Summary: Flight Hour Requirements for Pilot Certificates (FAA Part 61)

Certificate/Rating	Minimum Flight Hours	Breakdown
Student Pilot	No hour requirement	Must be 16 (or 14 for gliders), pass a medical exam, and have instructor endorsement to solo.

Private Pilot (PPL)	40 hours total	– 20 hrs with instructor (dual) – 10 hrs solo – Includes cross-country, night, and instrument time

Instrument Rating (IFR)	50 hours cross-country PIC 40 hours instrument	Must include instrument instruction (simulated or actual), and cross-country under IFR rules

Commercial Pilot (CPL)	250 hours total	– 100 hrs PIC – 50 hrs cross-country – 20 hrs training – 10 hrs in a complex or TAA aircraft



Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)	No hour minimum	Must hold a commercial or ATP certificate with appropriate category/class. Practical skill and written tests required.

Multi-Engine Rating	No specific hours	Depends on proficiency. Usually 10–20 hours with instructor in multi-engine aircraft.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)	1,500 hours total	– 500 hrs cross-country – 100 hrs night – 75 hrs instrument – 250 hrs PIC (or SIC under Part 121) Reduced-hour options available (see below)