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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.

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What You'll Need

The Training

You'll need to be 16 or older to begin training at NW Wings Aviation, and 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

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:

  • 20 hours of flight training with an instructor, including:

    • 3 hours cross-country

    • 3 hours night (with 10 night landings and 1 cross-country over 100 NM)

    • 3 hours instrument training

    • 3 hours checkride prep within 2 calendar months of the test

  • 10 hours of solo flight, including:

    • 5 hours solo cross-country

    • 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 NM with full-stop landings at 3 airports

    • 3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower

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

Hands-on Flight Instruction based in Hillsboro, OR

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.

Frequently asked questions

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