Learn to Fly - FLYING Magazine
To learn to fly a light airplane (like a piston single or a light sport airplane) takes a few hours each week for several months.
piston single
To learn to fly a light airplane (like a <anchor>piston single</anchor> or a light sport airplane) takes a few hours each week for several months. If you commit to more time each week, you’ll learn to fly in less time overall. Learning to fly other kinds of aircraft will take about the same amount of time to get started, but may involve additional levels of training for certification.
Learn to Fly: Piston Aircraft - FLYING Magazine
Learn to Fly: Piston Aircraft - FLYING Magazine

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# Learn to Fly: Piston Aircraft

###### ![Julie Boatman](https://www.flyingmag.com/uploads/2021/08/julie-new-headshot.jpg?auto=webp)        [Julie Boatman](/author/julie-boatman/)

Updated Nov 9, 2021 7:15 AM EST

![](https://www.flyingmag.com/uploads/2021/08/httpspush.flyingmag.comsitesflyingmag.comfilesimages201908archer_a2a_2ship-1.jpg?auto=webp&auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1440)

You can learn to fly in a wide range of airplanes—but you’re more likely to fly one of several popular models.Istock/Goodard\_Photography

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Learning to fly a single-engine piston-powered airplane starts your journey in aviation in a place from which you can take any next step that you wish—or lead you to a lifetime of flying satisfaction on its own.

Your basic licensing path takes you to the [private pilot certificate](https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/), and most people complete this training in a single-engine piston airplane for reasons of cost, simplicity, and availability.

You're most likely to be introduced to one of several popular models of single-engine airplane—though a wide variety exist in the United States. Common training aircraft include the [Cessna 152 or 172](https://www.flyingmag.com/photo-gallery/photos/many-faces-cessna-172-skyhawk/), the Piper PA-28 models (Warrior, Archer, Arrow) and the [100/100i](https://www.flyingmag.com/piper-introduces-pilot-100-100i-trainers/), the Diamond DA-20 or [DA-40](https://www.flyingmag.com/we-fly-diamond-da40-ng/), or perhaps, if you're training in Europe, the Socata TB-10 or TB-20, or the [Tecnam P2010](https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/pistons/we-fly-tecnam-p2010/).

You may also get the opportunity to fly other types of single-engine airplanes, including tailwheel or conventional-gear airplanes such as the Piper J-3 Cub, Aeronca Champ, Citabria Decathlon, or Luscombe 8 series.

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[Learn to Fly](/tag/learn-to-fly/) [Pistons](/tag/pistons/) [Training](/tag/training/)

![Julie Boatman](https://www.flyingmag.com/uploads/2021/08/julie-new-headshot.jpg?auto=webp)

[Julie Boatman](/author/julie-boatman/) Editor

Based in Maryland, Julie is an editor, aviation educator, and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development. Follow Julie on Twitter @julieinthesky.

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