Part 61 training · 27K Georgetown, KY

Private Pilot Training

Earn your private pilot certificate and learn the fundamentals of safe aircraft operation, navigation, communications, weather planning, and aeronautical decision-making.

Part 61 Training
Flexible Scheduling
Cessna 150 Training
Discovery Flights Available

Program overview

What to Expect

Belmar Aviation's private pilot training program provides the flight and ground instruction needed to prepare for the FAA Private Pilot practical test. Training is personalized around each student's experience, schedule, learning pace, and aviation goals.

Students develop practical skills in aircraft control, airport operations, radio communication, navigation, weather evaluation, flight planning, emergency procedures, and aeronautical decision-making. The goal is not simply to meet the minimum requirements, but to develop safe, confident, and capable pilots.

Training includes:

Flight instruction
Ground instruction
Preflight and postflight briefings
Takeoffs and landings
Emergency procedures
Radio communications
Cross-country planning
Navigation
Night flying
Controlled-airport operations
Knowledge-test preparation
Checkride preparation

Your path

Your Training Path

Each student progresses at an individual pace. Your instructor will advance you through each stage as you demonstrate the required knowledge, judgment, and proficiency.

Stage 1 — Foundations

Aircraft familiarization
Preflight inspection
Basic aircraft control
Takeoffs and landings
Normal and emergency procedures

Stage 2 — First Solo

Traffic-pattern proficiency
Radio communication
Airport operations
Solo preparation
Instructor endorsements

Stage 3 — Cross-Country Training

Navigation and flight planning
Weather evaluation
Aircraft performance and fuel planning
Night operations
Controlled-airport experience
Solo cross-country flights

Stage 4 — Checkride Preparation

Maneuver proficiency
Knowledge review
Oral-exam preparation
Mock practical test
Final endorsements

FAA pathway

Private Pilot Requirements

You may begin flight lessons before obtaining a student pilot certificate.
You must be at least 16 years old to fly solo.
You must be at least 17 years old to earn a Private Pilot Certificate.
You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
A student pilot certificate and appropriate medical qualification are generally required before solo flight.
You must pass the FAA knowledge test.
You must complete the required flight training and aeronautical experience.
You must pass the FAA oral examination and practical flight test.

Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and current FAA regulations. Your instructor will help you understand the steps that apply to you.

How Long Does Training Take?

The time required to earn a Private Pilot Certificate depends on training frequency, proficiency, weather, aircraft availability, and examiner scheduling. Students generally make stronger and more consistent progress when they fly two or more times per week.

Belmar Aviation offers flexible Part 61 training that can be scheduled around work, school, and family commitments. Accelerated scheduling may be available depending on instructor and aircraft availability.

Planning

Estimated Training Investment

Published hourly rates and a planning example based on 75 flight hours and 20 ground hours.

Estimated Private Pilot Training Cost Based on 75 Flight Hours + 20 Ground Hours

Transparent estimate at published Belmar hourly rates.

Line item	Calculation	Total
Aircraft rental (wet)	75 hrs × $150/hr	$11,250
Flight instruction (flight)	75 hrs × $75/hr	$5,625
Ground school	20 hrs × $50/hr	$1,000
Estimated total		$17,875

Aircraft rental (wet): $150/hr

Flight instruction (flight): $75/hr

Ground school: $50/hr

Additional expenses may include:

FAA medical examination
FAA knowledge-test fee
Designated Pilot Examiner fee
Books or online ground-school materials
Headset and training supplies
Renter's insurance, if required
Training beyond the planning estimate

The planning example is not a fixed-price package or guarantee. Actual cost depends on the number of hours required to reach proficiency, the amount of ground instruction needed, training frequency, weather, and other operational factors.

Current published rates: Cessna 150 aircraft rental $150/hr wet, flight instruction $75/hr, ground instruction $50/hr. Planning example total: $17,875.

Primary trainer

Train in the Cessna 150

The Cessna 150 is one of aviation's most proven primary training aircraft. Its straightforward systems, predictable handling, and economical operating cost make it well suited for learning aircraft control, traffic-pattern operations, navigation, and cross-country procedures.

$150 per hour wet
Primary flight-training aircraft
Two-seat trainer
Straightforward and economical operation

View aircraft rental

Joshua Blackburn, Chief Flight Instructor at Belmar Aviation

Your instructor

Meet Joshua S. Blackburn

Chief Flight Instructor | Chief Operations Officer | Director

2,300+ flight hoursCommercial PilotInstrument RatedCFICFIIMEITailwheel EndorsementU.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Joshua Blackburn is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, professional aviator, and aviation educator focused on developing safe, confident, and capable pilots. His instruction emphasizes aeronautical decision-making, proficiency, accountability, and lifelong learning.

Meet Joshua

Why Belmar

Why Train at Belmar

Personalized Part 61 instruction
Flexible scheduling
Economical primary-training aircraft
Training at Georgetown–Scott County Airport
Experience in both non-towered and controlled-airport environments
Instruction centered on safety and sound decision-making
A clear path from discovery flight through checkride preparation

Explore discovery flights, meet our instructors, review aircraft rental, or contact us with questions.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I schedule lessons?

Students generally retain skills and progress more efficiently when they train two or more times per week. Belmar can also work with students who need a different schedule.

Do I need a medical certificate before my first lesson?

You may begin taking flight lessons before obtaining a medical certificate. Appropriate student-pilot and medical qualifications are generally required before your first solo flight. Speak with your instructor early about the process.

How many flight hours will I need?

FAA minimum requirements do not guarantee that a student will be ready for the practical test at the minimum number of hours. Total time varies based on proficiency, training frequency, preparation, and individual progress.

Can I train while working or attending school?

Yes. Belmar's Part 61 structure allows training to be scheduled around work, school, and family commitments, subject to instructor, aircraft, and weather availability.

What aircraft will I fly?

Primary training is conducted in Belmar Aviation's Cessna 150 unless another aircraft is more appropriate for the student.

What happens after a discovery flight?

You can discuss your goals with an instructor, review scheduling and training expectations, and decide whether to begin regular flight lessons.

Get started

Ready to begin your flight training?

Start with a $99 discovery flight, meet an instructor, and experience the aircraft before beginning regular lessons.

Book a $99 Discovery Flight Contact Belmar Aviation