How long does it take to get a pilot license?

Answer 1

This will depend a great deal on the trainee, and is based on a number of factors. Please note, all of this is considering you want to become a Visual Flight Rated (VFR) Single-Engine pilot in the United States:

1. Costs - You pay for your instructor, medical certificate, pilot's materials, course materials, AND flight time (as of 2009 US$3000-US$5000 is a good starting point, but varies widely)
2. Personal time - there is a requisite number of hours of flight time (minimum of 40, more often hitting 60-80 hours*) with an instructor, plus the actual solo, not to mention the "book" study time
3. English proficiency (in the US)
4. Age; 17 for a full pilot license

This is only the barest list for VFR pilots. You should contact a local flight school with FAA Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) for real costs / time. Most schools will take someone trying to become a private pilot part-time (after work / school) and try to work out a 4 - 6 month training schedule of approximately 2 - 3 times per week.

Talk to other pilots at the local airports to see what they think of the various schools, and don't be shy about wanting to become a private pilot. One final thing that is highly recommended is taking a "Discovery" flight at the school you are considering. Very often the discovery flight is similar to an actual flight lesson, and you can chat with your would-be instructor to make sure you get along.

*To earn a private pilot certificate to fly a single-engine airplane, the FAA says you must log:

• At least 40 hours of flight time.
• At least 20 hours flying with an authorized instructor (dual flight). This must include at least:
  • 3 hours of cross-country flight
  • 3 hours of night flying, including one cross-country flight of at least 100 nautical miles
  • 3 hours of instrument training
  • 3 hours of practical test preparation with your instructor
• At least 10 hours flying cross-country by yourself (solo flight)
• Complete a written knowledge test, as well as a practical oral and flight test

Answer 2

Well, that decision is really up to you. For your private pilots license, you are required 40 hours of flight time (this can be done within a week, if you have the time and the funds). You must be 16 to solo and 17 to take your practical flight test. You are required to take a written test before your flight test and you are required to get a flight medical before you solo. The flight medical will be your student pilot license. There are schools that will take you all the way to your Air Transport Pilot License in 180 days and $70,000.