Under the FAA Part 61, the required time to train for a Private Pilot license is 40 hours which consists of at least:
Dual:
- 20 hours of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation that includes:3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane;
- 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least- 1 cross-country flight of over 100 nm. total distance; and 10 takeoffs and 10 landings with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern
- 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and
- 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
Solo:
- 10 hours of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation, that includes:5 hours of solo cross-country flying
- 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nm. total distance with 3 points and one segment of at least 50 nm. between takeoff and landings
- 3 takeoffs and landings at a controlled airport.