Let’s Fly

The following information discusses how to obtain a Private Pilot License. SunWest provides IFR, Commercial, CFI and CFII training as well.

While the FAA requires a minimum of 40 flight hours to become a Private Pilot, the national average is between 60-70 hours.  Our students average well below this national average; around 55 hours from start to finish.

If you are just getting started in your flight training, you will most likely want to take an introductory flight with one of our instructors. This will give you a chance to decide if you’re interested in pursuing flight training, and allow you to make sure our instructors are a good fit for you.

The Introductory flight! Not sure if want to be a Pilot? Interested in Aviation? Want to knock flying an airplane off your bucket list? For a flat rate of $169 you can go on a half hour flight with one of our instructors! after the flight they will go over everything you need to know and answer any questions you have about flight training.

Following your introductory flight, your training for a Private Pilot License can be split into three distinct phases:

Introductory flight to your first solo, dual and solo cross country flights, and practical test prep.

Phase 1: Intro to Solo

The initial part of your flight training will focus on basic piloting skills and select ground training. You will learn about:

  • Trim control

  • Turns

  • Slow flight

  • Safety and emergency procedures

  • Communications

  • Situational awareness

  • Takeoffs and landings

Upon learning the basics, your instructor will prepare you for your first solo flight. After this exciting milestone, it’s on to cross country training.

Phase 2:  Cross Country

Following your solo flight, you will begin to work on the fundamentals of cross country flight. Your instructor will help you to plan out your flights, using weather information, charts, and flight instruments. You will begin to fly to local airports such as Santa Maria (KSMX), Paso Robles (KPRB), and Oceano (L52) to become comfortable with flying into different sized airports with different surrounding terrain, weather, and communication processes.  

For flights to count as “cross country” time in your logbook, they must be of 50+ nautical miles. To meet this requirement, some of the standard cross country flights you’ll take are to King City, Salinas, and Santa Barbara. Once you’re proficient in your planning and navigating skills, you will perform your first solo cross country, followed by a longer solo cross country flight with stops at two airports. After some more solo cross country flying and a night cross country flight with your instructor, you’ll be ready to start preparing for your big day.

Phase 3: Practical Test Preparation

In the final phase of your flight training, you will work with your instructor to prepare for your practical test – the final step to getting your Private Pilot License.

Your PPL Examiner will test you in two parts including an oral exam and flight exam. After you pass your oral, your examiner will put you through maneuvers you’ve trained for, including different types of takeoffs and landings (crosswind, short field, soft field, etc.), turns, emergency procedures, and using navigational aids.


With trust in your training and a willingness to learn, you will enjoy life among the clouds.


**Although this is an outline of the standard way we structure our flight instruction program, there may be changes made according to your abilities and progression. Your flight instructor will work with you to tailor your program to your individual needs, to ensure the best use of your time and resources.