Pilot Training Options

There are several types of pilot certificates, and a pilots’ certificate determines what kind of aircraft they can fly. While we will be discussing only airplane category pilot certificates here, there are other categories of aircraft that pilots can be rated to fly.

FAA Pilot Certificates

 

Sport

The most basic pilot certificate in the US. The Sport pilot certificate is perfect for those who want to fly for fun or take a friend up on good weather days.

  • Minimum age: 17 years old

  • Written Exam: 40 Questions, 70% to pass.

  • Minimum Flight Hours: 20 Total, 15 with instructor and 5 Solo

  • Medical certificate 3rd class or US Drivers license

  • Aircraft Used: Luscombe 8A, Cessna 150, PA-28-140

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $6,500 to $9,500

A Sport Pilot may carry one passenger, and operate airplanes with up to 4 seats, including with retractable landing gear and controllable pitch propeller.

A sport pilot may not fly for hire or operate in less than VFR conditions

The Sport pilot’s certificate must be reviewed within the previous 24 months with a certified flight instructor (CFI) or sport flight instructor (CFI-S).

Private

The most common pilot certificate in the US. The Private pilot certificate is perfect for those who want to fly for fun in larger aircraft or in more diverse weather conditions.

  • Minimum age: 17 years old

  • Written Exam: 60 Questions, 70% to pass.

  • Minimum Flight Hours: 40 Total, 30 with instructor and 10 Solo

  • Medical certificate 3rd class

  • Aircraft Used: Cessna 150 and PA-28-140

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $11,500 to $16,500

A Private Pilot may carry as many passengers as a plane can safely carry and has far fewer restrictions on aircraft than a sport pilot. Private pilots can obtain their instrument rating.

A Private pilot may not fly for hire.

The Private pilot’s certificate must be reviewed within the previous 24 months with a certified flight instructor (CFI).

Commercial

A more advanced pilot rating that allows the pilot to fly for hire, where an aspiring career pilot receives compensation for their piloting time.

  • Minimum age: 18 years old

  • Written Exam: 100 Questions, 70% to pass.

  • Minimum Flight Hours: 250 Total, 100 PIC, and 20 training for the certificate

  • Medical certificate 3rd class to receive training and take the test, 2nd class to exercise the certificate privileges.

  • Aircraft Used: Luscombe 8A, Cessna 150, PA-28-140, PA-24-260B

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training:

    • With 220 hours upon enrolment: $8,500 to $10,500

    • With 100 hours upon enrolment: $23,000 to $35,000

Commercial pilots have no passenger restrictions and can obtain their instrument rating.

A Commercial pilot may fly for hire.

The Commercial pilot’s certificate must be reviewed within the previous 24 months with a certified flight instructor (CFI).

Flight Instructor

The certificate that allows one to teach and endorse other pilots. There are two types of instructor certificates;

Sport Flight Instructor (CFI-S) and Certified flight Instructor (CFI)

CFIs can be further trained to teach instrument (CFII) or Multiengine operations (MEI)

  • Must hold a current Commercial Pilot Certificate

  • Minimum age: 18 years old

  • 2 Written Exams:

    • FIA - 100 Questions, 70% to pass.

    • FOI - 50 Questions, 70% to pass.

  • Medical certificate 3rd class.

  • Aircraft Used: Luscombe 8A, Cessna 150, PA-28-140, PA-24-260B

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $5,000 to $6,500

The Flight Instructor certificate must be kept current within a 24 month cycle.

FAA Endorsements

Certain endorsements are one time training events that can be performed by an instructor to allow a pilot to operate in certain aircraft or certain conditions.

Foxtrot Flight Training offers three endorsements to Private and higher certificates.

 

Tailwheel

This endorsement allows a pilot to legally operate any tailwheel aircraft, or aircraft equipped with conventional landing gear.

  • Expected training Hours: 5 Flight Hours, 2 Ground Hours

  • Aircraft Used: Luscombe 8A

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $800-$1000

Complex

This endorsement allows a pilot to legally operate any complex aircraft, or aircraft equipped with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller.

  • Expected training Hours: 5 Flight Hours, 2 Ground Hours

  • Aircraft Used: PA-24-260B

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $1300-$1500

This endorsement can be combined with the High Performance Endorsement to maximize training efficiency.

High Performance

This endorsement allows a pilot to legally operate any high performance aircraft, or aircraft equipped with an engine of more than 200 rated horsepower.

  • Expected training Hours: 3 Flight Hours, 1 Ground Hours

  • Aircraft Used: PA-24-260B

  • Estimated cost at Foxtrot Flight Training: $750-$850

This endorsement can be combined with the Complex Endorsement to maximize training efficiency.

 

Rental Check Outs

Foxtrot Policy has the following minimum experience requirements for our fleet:

As of February 25th, 2026

 

Luscombe 8A

A rental pilot must have:

  • Sport or higher level certificate

  • Tailwheel endorsement

  • 100 hours PIC Airplane

  • 25 hours PIC Tailwheel Airplane

  • 10 hours in a Luscombe 8A

  • Successfully completed a checkout flight with a Foxtrot Flight Training instructor

Cessna 150 & Piper PA-28-140

A rental pilot must have:

  • Sport or higher level certificate

  • Successfully completed a checkout flight with a Foxtrot Flight Training instructor

Piper PA-24-260B

A rental pilot must have:

  • Private or higher certificate

  • A current Instrument Rating

  • 150 hours PIC Airplane

  • 25 hours PIC retractable gear Airplane

  • 25 hours in a PA-24-260 or

  • 10 hours Dual in a PA-24-260 with a Foxtrot Flight Training instructor.

  • Successfully completed a checkout flight with a Foxtrot Flight Training instructor