At what age can you start flight training?

The flight training process can be confusing and overwhelming. One of our goals at Link Aviation is to demystify the process and to help create a personalized experience for our customers that works best for them, no matter their age.

When it comes to minimum age requirements for flight training, there are a few key ages to keep in mind:

• Minimum age to take the private pilot written exam: 15

• Minimum age to solo: 16

• Minimum age to obtain your private pilot certificate: 17

• Minimum age to obtain your instrument pilot rating: 17

• Minimum age to obtain your commercial pilot certificate: 18

Breaking this all down, in preparation for solo flight, several aspiring pilots will begin their flight training process a few months before their 16th birthday so that they can take the written exam at 15 and be prepared to solo at 16. From there, they can begin building their hours toward their private pilot certificate so that by their 17th birthday, they can obtain their private pilot certificate.

Source: Part 14, Chapter , Subchapter D, Part 61 Code of Federal Regulations https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61?toc=1