Training paths
FAA minimums, realistic hours at iFly SGU, and honest cost ranges that assume our $55/hr instructor cap plus aircraft wet rate.
The starting point. Required to solo. Issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner alongside your medical, or via IACRA.
Daytime VFR only in a Light-Sport Aircraft. Requires only a valid US driver's license in place of an FAA medical. Lowest-cost path to legal solo flight.
Daytime VFR, single-engine, max 4-seat aircraft, within 50 nm of departure airport. Niche — most students continue to Private.
The standard first license. Lets you carry passengers, fly cross-country, and fly at night. FAA minimum is 40 hours; most students take 60–75.
Required for serious cross-country flying. Lets you operate in clouds and low visibility under ATC IFR clearance. 40 hours of actual + simulated instrument time required.
First license that lets you be paid as a pilot. 250 hours total time required, with specific cross-country, night, and instrument breakdowns. Often combined with the CFI path.
Add-on rating for twin-engine aircraft. Typically 10–15 hours of training. Often added after Commercial.
Lets you teach others to fly. The standard hour-builder toward ATP. Add CFII (instrument) and MEI (multi-engine) as further add-ons.
Highest pilot certificate. Required to act as PIC at the airlines. The hours are the slow part — the certification itself is mostly a checkride + ATP-CTP course.