For teens and their parents
Flight lessons for teens
The FAA lets you start flying lessons before you turn 16. Here's what's allowed at each age, what lessons cost, and how training fits around school.
Starting young
Can a 15-year-old take flying lessons?
Yes. The FAA has no minimum age to take lessons or log instruction with an instructor. The age limits apply to flying solo and earning certificates.
Every lesson goes in your pilot logbook. That logged time can count toward a pilot certificate later.
The easiest way to start is a discovery flight. It's a real flying lesson. First comes a ground briefing and walk-around with a certificated flight instructor (CFI). Then you fly the airplane, with the CFI beside you at the dual controls.
We have no minimum age for intro flights, discovery flights or lessons. Questions about starting young? Call (215) 839-8507.
Age milestones
How old do you have to be to fly a plane?
It depends on what you want to do. These are the FAA milestones for airplanes, in the order you reach them.
-
Any
Lessons
No FAA minimum age to take lessons and log instruction with an instructor.
-
Med
Medical
An FAA medical certificate, third class or higher, before your first solo.
-
16
Student pilot
Minimum age for a student pilot certificate. 14 CFR 61.83.
-
16
First solo
Minimum age to fly solo, once your instructor signs you off. 14 CFR 61.83.
-
17
Private pilot
Minimum age for a private pilot certificate. 14 CFR 61.103.
-
18
Commercial
Minimum age for a commercial pilot certificate. 14 CFR 61.123.
Ages shown are FAA minimums for airplanes. Age is only one requirement. Each certificate also has training and flight experience minimums, such as the 40 hours for a private pilot certificate (14 CFR 61.109). Solo sign-off: 14 CFR 61.87. Medical: 14 CFR 61.23.
A teen path
What it could look like if you start at 15
Every student learns at a different pace, so there's no set timeline. These are the milestones, in the order they come.
Start at 15
Fly with an instructor and log every lesson. There's no minimum age for an intro or discovery flight.
Get your medical
Get an FAA medical certificate, third class or higher, so it's ready before your first solo.
Solo at 16
Get your student pilot certificate. When your instructor signs you off, you fly the airplane alone.
Private pilot at 17
Meet the training minimums, then pass the FAA knowledge test and checkride. Now you're a private pilot.
Private pilot minimums: 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo (14 CFR 61.109). Minimum age 17, plus an FAA knowledge test and practical test (14 CFR 61.103).
On the professional path, the next steps are the instrument rating and then the commercial pilot certificate at 18 or older.
Before solo
The medical certificate
You need an FAA medical certificate, third class or higher, before you fly solo. Plan for it early.
The exam is done by an FAA aviation medical examiner (AME). Getting it early gives you time to sort out any medical questions before your first solo.
Thinking about a flying career? You'll need a second class medical to exercise commercial pilot privileges. It's worth asking the examiner about it at your first exam.
School comes first
Lessons that fit around school
We train under FAA Part 61. That means flexible, personal training built around your schedule, not a fixed class calendar.
Flights by appointment
You book each lesson ahead of time. We're open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Call to ask which flight times work for you.
A plan built for you
Your instructor shapes training around your goals and how quickly you learn. Part 61 lets the plan fit your life.
Plan around the school year
Fly more during breaks and ease off during exams. Share your calendar with your instructor and plan together.
When plans change
Need to move a lesson? Give us 24 hours' notice. If weather or maintenance cancels, we find a new date at no charge.
Costs
What does it cost?
Try one lesson before you commit. If you love it, our Private Pilot package is the next step.
Discovery flight
A real lesson with a CFI, a bit longer than the intro lap. Or start with a $99 intro flight: one lap in the pattern, with takeoff and landing.
Max 250 lbs per person. Arrive 10 minutes early.
There's no minimum age for intro and discovery flights. Questions? Call (215) 839-8507.
Private Pilot
Train in our Cessna 150 or Piper Cherokee.
Before you start, we confirm in writing what the package includes and any separate costs, such as FAA test and examiner fees. Packages can't be refunded once training has started.
- 4.8 stars on Google and Groupon, 500+ reviews
- Package details confirmed in writing
- Weather cancellations rescheduled at no charge
See the full pilot license cost breakdown for Philadelphia
Relatives asking for gift ideas? A flight gift card comes in any amount and is valid for at least five years from purchase.
For parents
How we keep student flights safe
Handing your teen the controls is a big step. Here's how safety works at GQ Aviation.
A certificated instructor
Every flight lesson is with a certificated flight instructor (CFI). Credentials on our staff include ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI and AGI.
Preflight inspections
Before each flight, the airplane gets a preflight inspection. Preflight procedures are part of required pilot training (14 CFR 61.107), so your teen learns to do it.
Weather and maintenance
Flights depend on the weather and the airplane. If weather or maintenance cancels a flight, we find a new date at no charge.
Inspected aircraft
FAA rules require regular inspections of aircraft used for flight instruction for hire, such as annual and 100-hour inspections (14 CFR 91.409).
Solo only when ready
Your teen flies solo only at 16 or older, with a medical and a student pilot certificate. The instructor must sign them off first (14 CFR 61.87).
A towered airport
KPNE is a towered Class D airport beneath Philadelphia's Class B airspace. Your teen learns to talk with air traffic control.
Your questions are welcome
Parents are welcome to ask questions at any point, before the first lesson or along the way. Call any day from 6 am to 8 pm, or send us an email.
Every guest signs a liability waiver. If your teen is under 18, ask us what we need from you.
The airplanes
- Cessna 150, the aircraft in our Private Pilot package
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk
- Piper Cherokee and Piper Warrior
- Piper Seneca twin for multi-engine training
Aviation careers for high school students
Where flying can take you
Thinking about the airlines? A flying career starts with these four certificates and ratings. You can start the first one in high school.
Private Pilot
Your foundation. Earn it at 17 or older (14 CFR 61.103).
Private pilot trainingInstrument Rating
Fly by reference to instruments. Our package includes time in our simulator.
Instrument rating trainingCommercial Pilot
Minimum age 18 and 250 total hours (14 CFR 61.123, 61.129).
Commercial pilot trainingMulti-Engine Rating
Train in our Piper Seneca twin with an MEI who also holds an ATP.
Multi-engine rating trainingFounded by an airline pilot
Our founder, Faisal Husein, grew up in North Philadelphia. He flew commercial airliners for Mesa Airlines and JetBlue. He founded GQ Aviation in September 2015.
Philadelphia City Council Resolution 230535, adopted June 15, 2023, cited more than 50 students trained toward their certificates at GQ. It also describes GQ as the only minority-owned private flight school in the Northeast corridor.
Our own checkride pass rate is 90%+.
Teen and parent questions
Questions families ask
Don't see yours? Call (215) 839-8507 or read our main FAQ.
How old do you have to be to fly a plane?
There's no FAA minimum age to take lessons with an instructor. In an airplane, you can get a student pilot certificate and fly solo at 16 (14 CFR 61.83). You can earn a private pilot certificate at 17 (61.103) and a commercial pilot certificate at 18 (61.123).
Can a 15-year-old take flight lessons?
Yes. The FAA has no minimum age to take lessons or log instruction with an instructor. That logged time can count toward a certificate later. Solo waits until 16. Call us to talk about starting at GQ.
Is there an age requirement for a discovery flight?
No. There's no minimum age for an intro or discovery flight. It's a real lesson, with a CFI beside you at the dual controls.
Does my teen need a medical certificate?
Yes, before the first solo. It must be an FAA medical certificate, third class or higher. We suggest getting it early. A second class medical is needed later to exercise commercial pilot privileges.
Will lessons fit around school?
We train under FAA Part 61, so the plan is flexible and personal. Flights are by appointment, and we're open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Ask us which flight times are open.
How much do flight lessons for teens cost?
Intro flights start at $99, and the discovery flight is $199 for 1 person. Our Private Pilot package is $13,999. Before you start, we confirm in writing what's included and any separate costs, such as FAA test and examiner fees. See the full cost breakdown.
Is an instructor with my teen on every flight?
Until solo, yes. Every flight lesson is with a certificated flight instructor. Solo flights come only at 16 or older. Your teen also needs a medical, a student pilot certificate and the instructor's sign-off.
Can this lead to an airline career?
It's the start. The airline path runs through the Private Pilot certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot certificate and Multi-Engine Rating. Our founder flew commercial airliners for Mesa Airlines and JetBlue.
Ready for a first lesson?
A discovery flight is a real lesson with a CFI, and the time can go in your logbook. There's no minimum age, so it makes a great gift for young aviators too.