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PPL Average Flight Time

Asked by: 2828 views General Aviation

I am looking for statistics, not what various schools say they can accomplish a PPL in. That said does anyone know if the FAA publishes an average time for PPL applicants based on what is on their 8710 at the time of application. It would be preferred if they offer a state by state breakdown as well as only including those pilots who actually passed and not those who applied, failed and then tried again.

If this information does not exist would anyone happen to have a suggested contact at the FAA who I might ask to see if this information can be dug up? As I understand it the PPL applications are public knowledge and I know I am able to access and verify the airmen database through the FAA website. However, I am not aware of any public documentation of a pilots 8710 form at the time of application. 

 

Thank younin  in advance for any assistance. 

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1 Answers



  1. Eric H on Oct 27, 2016

    I’ve seen AOPA Flight training publish that information in the past, but I don’t know how recent it is. The FAA is usually 1-2 years behind present day on presenting that data (it is a large pilot population). The last number I remember seeing was 70-80 hours on average to finish a pilots certificate. To get specific hours like you are requesting, you would probably have to go through the FAA Airman Branch and do a FOIA request and pay for the data they provide you.

    Alternatively, the FAA publishes most aeronautical information by a Region level. Here are a couple of links to get you started, but, they don’t have “hours” to Private Pilot Certificate:

    http://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics/

    http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/

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