Learn to fly today

The private pilot license is the first and biggest step in your aviation journey.

Step 1: Get Behind the Yoke

Every aviation journey starts with a single flight. Schedule an intro lesson and experience what flight training actually feels like — you'll get into the left seat, take the controls, and get a real sense of what the private pilot process involves. It's the best way to know if you're ready to commit.

Step 2: Join A Flying Club

Joining a club like Oakland Flyers or Flying Particles is one of the smartest moves a student pilot can make. Membership gives you access to a fleet of well-maintained aircraft, quality insurance coverage, and a community of fellow aviation enthusiasts. Once you're in, it's time to schedule your first lesson.

Step 3: Begin Ground Study

If you haven't already, it's time to crack the books. Most instructors will give you a ground study guide that aligns your reading schedule with your flight schedule. There are also several online ground school options that will build your foundational knowledge leading up to the FAA written test. One practical tip: it can take a month or more to establish a consistent flight schedule due to plane availability. Use that waiting period to get ahead on ground school — it pays off later. Pro tip: Take your FAA Written early in the process!

Step 4: Develop Basic Aircraft Control

This is where you learn how to actually fly an airplane. You'll start with the fundamentals — straight and level flight, coordinated turns, climbs, and descents. These early lessons build comfort and confidence in the cockpit, and most students are surprised by how intuitive basic control feels once they're up there.

Step 5: Flight Maneuvers

With the basics down, it's time to go deeper. This phase covers steep banked turns, slow flight, and aerodynamic stalls — all of which appear on the checkride. The goal isn't just to perform these maneuvers, but to perform them above the FAA's minimum standard so you're walking into the checkride with confidence.

Step 6: Takeoffs and Landings

As they say — takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory. By this point you'll already have some experience with both, but this phase is dedicated to refining them. You'll focus on configuring a stabilized approach and developing the feel for a smooth flare. The perfect landing is always a moving target, and chasing it is half the fun.

Step 7: Solo Flight

You’re the captain now!

Tests & Certification

FAA Written Test
The FAA written test covers everything from aviation medical certificate rules to weather interpretation to evaluating both aircraft and pilot fitness for flight. It's a comprehensive exam on what it means to be a safe, knowledgeable private pilot. Learn more on FAA.gov

Checkride Prep
Once your flight training is complete, the final phase is dedicated to refining everything in preparation for the practical exam. Checkride prep typically involves a focused set of lessons designed specifically around the FAA's Airman Certification Standards.

The Checkride
The checkride is a two-part exam — an oral portion and a flight test — conducted by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Check out this FAA guide on what to expect going in.