19 years ago I sold a car to a flight instructor. We hit it off and he asked if I was interested in flying. The next day he took me up in a small plane. We spent hours in the air, landed and refueled to do it again. Ever since I said I wanted to get my lic. I never really had time or money. Well....my son is 22 and doesn't depend on me. My wife finished her school and the last few years has made more money then me. So today I finally walked into a school and asked what's the next step. I'm actually gonna go do this. After 19 years of would of could of should of excuses and stalls.

Started flight school about a month ago... been hooked since Edit: December 2020, I PASSED I PASSED!!!! August 8th 2022 United airlines.

As a former instructor I can tell you there is one “Exam” you all forget about that sometimes makes a big difference to some people who want to get a licence. That’s the Medical that is required to maintain a licence. Some people don’t realize it’s important as many people find out that they are Color blind or some other health restrictions may not allow them to even get a licence! First thing I would suggest anybody do before throwing down the money to get flight time towards a licence is book the medical exam first.

On my 16th birthday my parents gifted me a discovery flight before I even had my driver's license, had a few more training flights after that but real life hit me hard and I decided to join the Navy. Now back in the civilian world and at 33 years old I still have my old flight log and have started back on the path again, wish me luck

At some point during the process, you learn the most important lesson: Money is what makes airplanes fly.

$7k is pretty cheap for a private license. However, those who want to pursue a private pilot license, please note that the cost varies depending on the flight school but you also must consider how well you perform on each session. If at any moment you fail to keep up with your flight studies the cost will increase each time your flight instructor feels like you need to repeat a flight activity. It has happened to me a couple of times in my flight training. Study study study please!

No lie I just told my wife I want to be a pilot like 2 weeks ago now this is recommended 😱😱😱

Been thinking about getting a pilot's license, your video was inspiring! I felt so excited for you when you landed after your first solo flight, I wanted to give you a high five

The order is: 1. get your medical if going for Private Pilot (if Sport then all you need is a DL). 2. pass written (at any time during your flying lessons) but remember, you will have to pass an oral portion on the Checkride so taking it closer to that helps you remember your written material. 3. no one does it in 40. some lessons last longer on a given skill. It is also smart to fly some hours on your own before your checkride to get muscle memory down pat...the checkride is COSTLY...$500 or more and if you fail it, you have to pay it all over again to take the checkride again. 4. solo is not the half mark...but its a major milestone. you will still fly dual with a CFI after it (for example the night cross country). 5. you can fly your cross country without a dry run with the CFI...its up to the CFI to allow it (they usually want you to call from each airport you land at to check-in) 6. usually do a final mock checkride with your CFI to make sure you are good to pass the real thing. 7. the Checkride requires an appt. and a flight plan and bring your AROW and aircraft logbooks and your written test results. 8. pass the Checkride 9. Once you get your Orville and Wilbur Wright card with your few hours you are at your most dangerous phase of your flying experience. You are free to take others up and to make mistakes...and in the first 200 hours you will make plenty of them.

I did it for $1500. Of course, that was in 1970.

As a current airline pilot, this brings back great memories! Thank you for the insightful video, and I look forward to seeing your progress!

Great job! And being able to share this with everyone is amazing. Congratulations

$7000 is pretty cheap, you must have had great rates on the plane/CFI :)

i think getting the written out of the way before you started training was a great idea. congratulations... i soloed on july 4th, 1981. still in the game.

Kudos for going for it and achieving it!! I've been dreaming about this very thing for years and you literally knocked off all my questions in this video!! Thank you and wish you safe flights and clear skies!!

This video is an inspiration to those looking to fly. Thank you for taking the time to map out your journey.

amazing video and I love the ending when you talked about ur favorite passenger keep flying safe and stay positive

Your journey is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

Thank you, really nice to see a beginning to end Piolet certificate video and done in a reasonable amount of minutes.

Thank you for posting your flight training experience...This has been on my to do list for a long time...I will be paying for online ground school today to begin my journey...

This is the video I've been wanting to make. Glad you did it for me, editing all that footage is painful. Great job man!

Thank you for this! Searched high and low for a straight forward track to PPL and this is the best I've seen. Happy flying!

I really like the comment to "trust you can do this in your solo flight" it's really cool that you mention that and that your hard work is what gets you there.

Thank you for taking the time to do this video! It is legitimately helpful for those of us looking at doing this.....

Dude, I loved this. I've dreamt of this for years and after seeing this, it reminded me how much I want to complete such. It seems daunting, but you somehow made it seem doable. Congrats!

Thank you for making such a concise video on private pilot training. This will be useful to so many aspiring pilots!

Bro this video is highly underrated atm.. Not only is he getting it done correctly but his story telling and editing is top notch 👌

I’m just starting my road to Private Pilot cert. Thank you for your video.

This is an awesome video man. When I was around 13 I took 35 hours of ground school and by 15 had been on a few orientation flights. Getting my drivers license turned me to cars but now 21 videos like this make me want to go after flying

Congratulations on getting your wings. Great inspirational video for new aviators. Thank's for sharing worth watching it...!!

Congratulations on getting your license and thanks for sharing the journey. I learned some things.

Great video man, I took a intro fight on my birthday back in January, I’m doing all I can to get my license and go commercial since there’s a pilot shortage, plus it just seems fun to do something most people never get to do

One of the best videos I've seen of a person getting their PPL. I am sure you inspired many people and made them feel more confident about going through the same journey. Thanks for your efforts in creating this and sharing it.

Amazing video! The production quality is so good.

Thanks man! Well done and congrats! This was the most concise video about this process I’ve found.

Great ideas: the exploration flight with your spouse, (I deeply respect how she was included in your decision) and second great idea: taking the written exams first means you are learning everything you can learn without doing.....getting the best value from the lessons etc. Congratulations on getting your license and thank you for a great video - I am considering getting the license - so you can imagine how helpful this video has been for me. BIG THANK YOU. G

Finally a video that accurately explains each step thank you dude

I began my online ground school on sporty about 3 weeks ago and am on the practice tests getting close to taking the FAA exam

Been looking all week for a a video to help me with the steps I’m a truck driving so rn it’s hard for me to just stop working just to learn the basics fundamentals of flying now I know it’s a website I can get on to study for the written part is a big help thank you

My first lesson starts on Tuesday! Super excited

The bit of you and your wife smiling together was wonderful. Cheers.

LOVE THIS !!! I know you already KNOW this, but there's not another video out there like this on KZfaq at this moment like YOUR VIDEO! Keep up the great work...

Thank you for sharing your experience. Very motivated to see from 0 to 100 % goal challenge.

Congratulations bro! Thanks for this information. This is great

Great info. Exactly what we were wondering.

This is awesome! I'm on my journey to grow up and be like you!

Thank you for clarifying. Didn’t really know how the process worked!

omg I’m planning to go to school to be a pilot when I graduate next year. This video almost made me tear up, it looks like such a good career and I’m super excited!!

Studying for, and passing the written early during the training process, is huge! Well done! All too many students fail to take that initiative and they lag behind throughout the early phases of the training process. As a CFI, I urge (almost to the point of insisting) all students to pass the FAA knowledge test prior to solo. It is not required by the FAR's, but makes the training process so much more meaningful. I like to tell my students that flying is like a 3-leg stool. In order to stand, three things are needed: first, basic stick and rudder aptitude. Second, good judgement. And last, but not least, COMMITMENT. Flying is not a casual undertaking. As a pilot you have to immerse yourself in the training process (which goes on forever but is especially important in the beginning). All too often primary students fail to make the appropriate commitment to study. That is the biggest problem most CFI's I know see when training primary students. I applaud you for your commitment! Great video!

Great video. You did everything so efficiently, makes me wish I could go back and not make the mistakes I made. Congratulations! Instrument rating next?

Wow man this has really boosted my confidence in becoming a pilot. Thanks a lot

I'm going for my Pilot's license soon! Thank you for such an informative video.

Super awesome stuff, I needed something like this to put it in perspective. I’m currently stationed in Italy, but once I get to the states, I’m hitting the ground running to get my pilot’s license. I can’t fathom the idea of free soloing one day; it must be a great feeling! See you in the skies!

I will be starting mine here in Arkansas this January I’m super stoked man watching your journey just now only got me more into it great video and great explanations on everything I saved this video for reference going to start my written exam training online at the end of October thanks for the great video again!! I will let you know when I am finished!!

I don’t know the terminology to the equipment but I like how your avionics computer displays airport information on it at (7:31) ... real encouraging video for us to get off our couch and accomplish something .... awesome job dude

Thank you for sharing! This is exactly what I was looking for- overview from start to finish. I’m sure there are many details in-between, but getting an overview makes me feel like I can get started.

Thank you for making this. I’ve been beating my head off the wall trying to figure out what all I need to do. I have my first flight scheduled this weekend.

Man I’m so happy for you! I just went up with a buddy the other day and it was the most incredible experience! I’m going to start working on getting my license and your video just gave me a ton more motivation to do it! 👊🏻

Thanks for sharing your experience. Can’t wait to start my training someday soon.

Great information! I’m wanting to start on my private pilot license this summer and this definitely answers some questions I had!

Congrats! I got my PPL back in December and am now in the middle of instrument training. You will love it. Super technical but imo even more fun than PPL training haha

Before I took my ckeckride I had more solo hours than dual. Whenever I had he chance I would just fly around to other airports I was signed off at. My solo xcountries I went to different airport I had never been to just to practice figuring out a new airport, the taxiways and runways by myself without any help and it was some of the most fun I’ve ever had

Fantastic, concise video - I’ve been wanting to do this for several years myself. Out pure coincidence, I too am from the Greenville area... I will be charting my venture soon. Thank you for publishing.

Amazing! Just did my intro flight. I'm hooked! Fly safe

One of the best videos on KZfaq.. you’ve got me all inspired to go flying now 👌🏼

I won't tell you I soloed on day one at 1.5 hours and finished my license in 14 days at 35 hours for under 1K. Well it was 1979, been flying with my dad for 4 years and had ground school nailed long before starting. Good on ya. You did well.

Same here. Sportys ground, pass written then flight portion. Congratulations man

Excellent video!! Nice job and congratulations!!

The school and instructor you had seems so passionate and invested. That must have been amazing. I can only hope to get an instructor as good as yours. Also you and him knocking things out in single days is amazing. This whole video is amazing an informational. Thank you so so much as someone who is currently going for his part 61. Edit: I liked, commented, AND sent this to my best friend who is also interested in flying so. 👍

Had to watch this again. Thank you again for posting. This is the way to learning how to fly and get your PPL.

Congrats...most of all thank you for putting this video together. Very helpful!

BEASTMODE VIDEO!

I'm Brazilian and was born into a poor family, but I have a dream of flying, of course, it was impossible for me to do this kind of thing when I was young, 5 years ago I did something to fly that was parachute, I got my license and had around 40 jumps as professional parachuter, the dream of being pilot is still in my heart and today living in Montreal Canada I guess I can start planning that, hopefully in one year I'll be back here to share with you guys the recording of my dream achieved! Congrats on the achievement Bro, it was a very inspiring video! ❤

4:18 wow that view is amazing

Awesome content. Thanks for editing and putting it all into one video :) that's the best!

Nice video. Thanks for posting.

The video I’ve was looking for before starting my private pilot training thank you 😃

Thanks for sharing. I'm currently in the process of getting my pilot's license but it's been kinda slow going with life getting in the way sometimes, this really encouraged me to make time and get it done. Can't wait to see ya up there

great video, I had been considering getting my license and I think this just put me over the edge.

Today was my first day of Flight school! Im super excited.

4:47 what a moment of joy, this video makes me want to get my own license!

I like the video, as a commercial helicopter pilot going for my cfi, I'd like to know more about some of the operational pit-falls that you fell into during your training. if you feel comfortable talking about them. it would help me be able to understand some things I didn't experience during my training that may aid me with my future students.

Awesome stuff man, congrats.

The video i have been looking for for sooo long. Thank you for documenting your journey. I am taking a step towards my dream after over 12 years of wishing

Officially started my training a week ago, already couple of classes in. This has been the dream since I was a kid. After so many should’ve/ could’ve excuses, I decided to give a try! I know it will be a long road ahead of me, but I can’t wait to get my license and take my girlfriend and parents out to the sky!

I have never liked/enjoyed watching a video like I have this one. My flight instructor and his wife were friends of ours for many years of the family. He bought a Piper PA 28 Cherokee 140 and I can remember when he flew it in from Florida (we lived in Ohio). She was gorgeous. I took my first lesson when I was 12 years old. And when I was 17 I finally got to solo her. By that time she was ours. So I was there where you were. What a feeling. Whenever you can, get a Piper/rent/buy/ stay in aviation the possibilities are astronomical. The love of flight is still in my heart.

Congratulations what an accomplishment to be proud of!

This is actually pretty cool to see the process you too and why and how it worked out for you. I imagine it would be at least a little more now.

WHOA WHOA WHOA, CLEAR OF CLOUDS BILLY😂

Wonderful, I just took my Discovery ride last week, and I begin formal training (1st lesson) in THREE days!! Thank you for this video..

Great rundown of the process

Awesome video.... something that I have been looking for for years ! Thank you 🙏

Nothing like the feeling of soloing a bird for the first time! Great video!

I’m just commenting to get more aviation in my recommended. Loved this, though. :)

This is super cool bro! Congratulations!

Awesome dude, I was smiling for you.

97 Foxtrot, be sure to always say the name of the specific runway when reading back clearances, even if the controller has neglected to do so. Ambiguity kills. Examples: "Roger, Piper niner seven foxtrot cleared takeoff runway two eight left, right traffic." "Piper niner seven foxtrot cleared for the option runway one fife." "Piper niner seven foxtrot will taxi runway three three left via alpha and echo, hold short of three three right." Also, when reading back clearances, I think it is important to read them back in the same order given. You will likely appreciate the importance of this practice when you go for your instrument rating. All clearances have a specific order of items. Doing them in the same order helps both the pilot and the controller speak and hear with fewer opportunities for errors. Being professional on the radio is who you are in the eyes of other pilots and of the controllers. You will get respect and better ATC handling. Blue skies and tailwinds, my friend.

So 7,000$ after all fees, exams, etc? Is this correct? This is motivating.

Super motivational. Thank you for documenting your journey.

Thanks! Brought back some great old memories!