Private pilots comprise the largest group of pilots and are among the most active fliers. To become a private pilot, one must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time (the actual national average is about 70 hours), including 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours of solo. Pilots trained according to accelerated curricula defined in Part 141 of the federal aviation regulations may be certified with a minimum of 35 hours of flight time.

Private pilots may not fly for compensation or hire (no passenger or revenue services) but may share equally with their passengers the direct operating expenses of a flight—specifically fuel, oil, airport parking and landing fees, and aircraft rental charges.

A private pilot—with appropriate training, ratings, and endorsements (e.g., floatplane, taildragger, multiengine, helicopter, jet, retractable gear, pressurized, high-performance, complex, etc.)—may carry passengers in any aircraft, day or night, good or bad weather (see Instrument Rating).

Private pilots must have a current Class III medical, which they must renew every 24 or 36 months (depending upon age). They must revalidate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a certificated flight instructor (CFI).