Plane Life private aviation training is designed for aspiring pilots at every level. It’s not too challenging to earn your private pilot certificate. Many might consider learning to fly beyond their capability or budget, but it is not as complex, time-consuming, or expensive as generally believed. If you can ride a bicycle or drive a car, you can likely fly an airplane.
Obtaining your private pilot license (certificate) allows you to fly an airplane and carry passengers and baggage. Although operating expenses may be equally shared with your passengers, you may not fly for compensation or hire as a private pilot. However, you can fly any airplane you are appropriately rated for to thousands of public airports, day or night.
If you plan to fly for fun or take the first step toward a career as a pilot, Plane Life aviation training goes beyond preparing you to pass the required tests and helps you become a safe and competent pilot. The Gleim Aviation methodology provides coordinated training to make you a safer, more competent pilot in less time while reducing cost and frustration.
A: The Private Pilot License (PPL) is your first major aviation milestone, allowing you to fly an airplane for personal and recreational use, carry passengers, and travel anywhere in the country. It’s the foundation for all future aviation training, including instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings.
A: Becoming a pilot gives you freedom, flexibility, and adventure. You can:
Fly family or friends on personal trips
Build flight time toward a professional career
Travel faster than driving — on your schedule
Join a close-knit aviation community
Gain valuable discipline, focus, and confidence
A: You must:
Be at least 16 years old to solo and 17 to earn your license
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
Hold a valid FAA medical certificate (at least Third Class)
A: None! Most students have no flight experience. Plane Life’s structured training program is designed to take you from your first flight to full certification.
A: The FAA minimum under Part 61 is 40 hours of flight time, but most students take 55–70 hours to complete training, depending on consistency and frequency of lessons. Typically, you can earn your license in 3–6 months with regular training.
A: Your training includes both ground school and flight training covering:
Basic flight maneuvers and control
Takeoffs and landings
Navigation and cross-country flying
Weather interpretation and decision-making
Airspace, communication, and FAA regulations
Emergency procedures and aircraft systems
A: Plane Life uses modern, well-maintained Cessna aircraft equipped with real-world experience with industry-standard technology.
A: All training is conducted at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), giving you valuable experience operating in controlled, Class B airspace, a perfect environment for building confidence and radio skills
We recommend training 2–3 times per week. Consistent flying shortens total training time and keeps your skills sharp between lessons.
Yes. Plane Life offers flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate students who work or attend school.
There’s no maximum age, and you can start flight lessons at any age, though you must be 16 to solo and 17 to take your Checkride.
On average, training costs between $13,000 and $18,000, depending on how often you fly and how much time it takes to meet proficiency standards.
This includes aircraft rental, instructor fees, and ground training.
A: Absolutely. Plane Life offers pay-as-you-go options with transparent hourly rates for aircraft and instructors. Financing options and packages are also available.
Q: What additional expenses should I expect?
A: You’ll need to budget for:
FAA medical exam
Ground school materials
Headset and flight gear
FAA written and checkride exam fees
A: There are three main milestones:
FAA Knowledge Test (Written Exam)
FAA Practical Test (Checkride) — including oral and flight evaluation
Solo Flight Endorsements (issued during training)
A: Yes. We provide in-person and online ground school, practice exams, and one-on-one tutoring to ensure you’re fully prepared.
The final checkride is completed with a local FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Your instructor will ensure you’re confident and proficient before scheduling the test.
A: You can:
Carry passengers and share flight costs
Fly day or night (with proper endorsements)
Travel anywhere in the U.S.
Rent or own aircraft
Begin training for your Instrument Rating, Commercial License, or Multi-Engine Rating
A: Yes — to carry passengers, you must complete three takeoffs and landings every 90 days. Plane Life offers currency flights and refresher training to help you stay sharp and legal.
A: Yes! We offer Instrument, Commercial, CFI/CFII, and multi-engine programs — as well as career counseling for students pursuing professional aviation paths.
A: Training is led by Christian Childs (CFI, CFII, MEI) and a team of experienced instructors.
A: Plane Life offers a personalized, one-on-one training environment with transparent
pricing, modern aircraft, and a safety-first philosophy.
We don’t just train pilots, we build aviators with real-world confidence and professionalism.
Discover freedom, confidence, and community through Plane Life private aviation training.
Your journey begins here with Plane Life.
