How Young is Too Young to Start Flying Lessons?

To answer the question this FLYING user asks, there are other important questions that have to be answered first.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, May 04, 2022 at 10:23 AM ET

Verified

What is the proper age to start flying lessons? It depends. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The ideal age to start flying lessons is determined more by an individual's maturity, discipline, and ability to follow directions than a specific chronological age.
FAA regulations set minimum ages for certification, such as 14 for gliders and free balloons, 16 for solo airplane flight, and 17 for a private pilot certificate.
While lessons can start underage, skills are perishable, so many aspiring pilots choose to begin training closer to the minimum age requirements to avoid expensive relearning and maximize efficiency.

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Q: What is the ideal age to start flying?

A: If your offspring has an interest in aviation, you may be wondering, “What is the ideal age to learn to fly?” The answer is, it depends on their maturity level.

Flying is great fun, but it is also a great responsibility. Certificate age requirements notwithstanding, if they’re capable of following directions, scheduling lessons, taking constructive criticism, and they have the discipline to study, they are ready to take instruction.