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Private Pilot Training in Hillsboro, OR
Becoming a Private Pilot is the first major milestone in your aviation journey. This certificate allows you to fly aircraft for personal or recreational purposes, carry passengers, and operate day or night, under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). While you cannot fly for compensation or hire, it gives you the freedom to travel, explore, and build experience on your own schedule. The Private Pilot Certificate lays the foundation for advanced ratings and career opportunities in aviation.
Just starting out? We'll help you go from zero to hero on your own schedule. For those with the written exam completed already, we also offer an Accelerated Program that prioritizes efficiency but has certain additional requirements.
"A mile of highway will take you just one mile …
.. but a mile of runway will take you anywhere."
What You'll Need
The Training
While there is no legally mandated minimum age required to begin flight training, we recommend you to begin at age 16 or older. You must, however, be 17 or older at the time of your checkride.
Age Requirement
Get your student pilot certificate through the FAA’s IACRA system. It’s free and required before you can fly solo. We can help you with this process.
Student Pilot Certificate
At least a Third Class Medical Certificate from an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is needed before solo flight. More information regarding medical certificates can be found here.
FAA Medical Certificate
U.S. citizens need to show a birth certificate or passport. Non-citizens must complete vetting through the TSA. We can provide guidance for this process.
Proof of Citizenship or TSA Approval
A NW Wings employee will be able to guide you every step of the way and outline the process for getting your student pilot certificate, medical certificate, TSA approval, and anything else you need assistance with.
Not sure where to begin? We'll help every step of the way.
Learn the fundamentals: weather, aerodynamics, airspace, navigation, regulations, and decision-making. Ground school prepares you for the FAA written exam.
Ground School
You must pass the Private Pilot Airplane Knowledge Test which is a 60 question multiple choice exam.
FAA Written Exam
Minimum of 40 total flight hours (this is the legal minimum, however the national average is around 70 flight hours and varies from student to student) including:
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20 hours of flight training with an instructor, including:
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3 hours cross-country
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3 hours night (with 10 night landings and 1 cross-country over 100 NM)
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3 hours instrument training
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3 hours checkride prep within 2 calendar months of the test
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10 hours of solo flight, including:
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5 hours solo cross-country
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1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 NM with full-stop landings at 3 airports
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3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower
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Flight Training
Pass the Private Pilot practical test (also called a "checkride"), consisting of an oral exam on the ground and then a flight test with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
FAA Checkride
2.5 Month Accelerated
Private Pilot
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NW Wings offers an accelerated 2.5 month path to your Private Pilot License for those who are serious about efficiency and who are ready to put in the work.
Opting for this program means that you are fully available to fly during the duration of the program and have also completed the FAA written exam already.
IS ACCELERATED FOR YOU?
IS ACCELERATED FOR YOU?
Your FAA Written Exam must be complete.
To be accepted for the NW Wings Accelerated Private Pilot Course, you must have your written exam completed. This way, you are able to focus fully on flying, mastering your maneuvers, and completing your flight hours.
Don't have your written exam done? No worries, our regular training course has no prerequisites and may be a better option for you!
You must have full availability to fly.
You're ready to put in some work! That means for the duration of the program, you should be readily available to fly, sometimes for multiple flights a day. If you have a busy schedule or conflicting responsibilities, the accelerated route may not be for you - but our regular flight training syllabus might be perfect!
You understand limitations regarding weather.
The accelerated program aims to help you earn your Private Pilot License in approximately 2.5 months. However, weather delays can alter the timeframe significantly, and you should be aware that completion in 2.5 months is the goal, but not a guarantee.
Is the Accelerated Program for you?
Your FAA Written Exam must be complete.
To be accepted for the NW Wings Accelerated Private Pilot Course, you must have your written exam completed. This way, you are able to focus fully on flying, mastering your maneuvers, and completing your flight hours.
Don't have your written exam done? No worries, our regular training course has no prerequisites and may be a better option for you!
You must have full availability to fly.
You're ready to put in some work! That means for the duration of the program, you should be readily available to fly, sometimes for multiple flights a day. If you have a busy schedule or conflicting responsibilities, the accelerated route may not be for you - but our regular flight training syllabus might be perfect!
You understand limitations regarding weather.
The accelerated program aims to help you earn your Private Pilot License in approximately 2.5 months. However, weather delays can alter the timeframe significantly, and you should be aware that completion in 2.5 months is the goal, but not a guarantee.
In our professional Flight Training Program, you will take to the skies with the help of top industry experts. You'll fly first with our experienced instructors in the cockpit, then eventually by yourself, with your instructor lending a hand on the ground. You'll learn every important maneuver you need to achieve your goals: whether as a private pilot, commercial pilot, or certified flight instructor.
Students may train in our aircraft or in their own! Our flight training courses are designed to do more than just help you pass an exam. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and experience to be a great pilot.
