FAR: 61.103:   To be eligible for a Private Pilot Certificate, a person must:

1. Be at least 17 years  of age for your Private pilot License.
2. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
3. Be able to pass a Third  class physical  medical  examination  administered  by an FAA Medical Examiner. 
4. Meet FAA Specific Minimum Requirements. 
This Minimum requirements statement means that prior to your flight instructor signing you off for your FAA Checkride, you will have to accomplish the following flight requirements.  Please remember, that even though you may have logged these flight hours, this does not mean that you will be competent enough in all areas to successfully pass your checkride.

         Minimum 40 hours total flight time.

A. DUAL: Twenty (20) hours of flight training from an authorized flight instructor.
B. SOLO: Ten (10) hours of solo training listed in 61.107 (b) (1)
C. Your  training must include at least:

1. Three (3) hours of Dual instruction for cross-country ( distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing airports) in a single-engine airplane.
2. Three (3) hours of Dual night instruction in a single-engine airplane that includes:

1.    One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance.
2. 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop ( with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern ) at an airport. 
3. 3 hours of Dual instruction in a single-engine airplane instrument training ( maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments).
4. 3 hours of Dual instruction in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of your FAA Checkride.

1.   5 hours of solo-country flight.
2.    One of your solo cross-country flights must be at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings, minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing airports. 3.    3 Takeoffs and three landings to a full stop ( with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

      General:  A person who is applying for a Private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

 F.   FAR: 61.107:FLIGHT  PROFICIENCY 
      General:  A person who applies for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation that  apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought. 

Key points:  The national average shows that it takes an individual approximately 85-95 hours to obtain his or her private pilot certificate. The total flight time it takes an individual will also be based on whether you fly a Towered airport or Non-towered airport as well as the frequency of their flights.

 FAA Specific Requirements:
   50 hours cross country (over 50nm) as pilot in command
   40 hours simulated or actual instrument flight time
    20 hours may be done in an approved simulator
   15 hours instrument instruction in an airplane
   250nm IFR cross country

 FAA Specific Requirements:
 Minimum 250 hours total flight time (Max 50 hours in simulator)
  100 hours in powered aircraft
  100 hours pilot in command
   50 hours in an airplane
   50 hours cross country over 50nm
  20 hours training (dual ground and flight)
   10 hours instrument training
   10 hours flight instruction
   100nm day cross country
   100nm night cross country
   3 hours prep for checkride
  10 hours solo flight
   one 300nm flight. 3 landings, at least 250nm from departure airport
   5 hours night (10 t/o and landings)

 FAA Specific Requirements:
 No minimum total flight time requirements.
 18 years of age
 commercial or ATP certificate
 instrument rating
 written test
 practical test (checkride)

 FAA Specific Requirements:
 minimum 15 hours PIC in category and class.
  18 years of age
  commerical or ATP certificate
  instrument rating
  written test
  practical test (checkride)

 FAA Specific Requirements:
 No minimum total flight time requirements.
  18 years of age
  second class medical
  practical test (checkride)