Your co-pilot for private pilot training.

Track every step from IACRA to checkride, stay synced with your instructor, and know exactly what to do next on your path to becoming a private pilot.

13-step PPL roadmap Mock oral exam CFI dashboard
app.liftoffpilot.com / dashboard
Welcome back, Sarah
42% to your private pilot certificate
Stage 6 / 13
Next step
Plan your first solo cross-country
Build the nav log on ForeFlight tonight. Bring printout + weather brief to Saturday's lesson.
Total hrs
28.4
Solo
3.8
XC
2.1
Next lesson
Steep turns + pattern work
Sat • 4:00pm • KPAO • N51823
Confirmed
Built around the FAA Private Pilot ACSFAR Part 61 firstWorks with ForeFlight & Garmin PilotGoogle + Outlook calendars
13-step PPL roadmap
From IACRA to checkride. Every step has plain-English explanations, required docs, and AI help.
Lesson log + AI debriefs
Your CFI types quick notes, AI turns them into a polished, actionable debrief.
Mock oral exam
Practice DPE-style questions with feedback, scoring, and weak-area tracking against the ACS.
CFI in the loop
AI never replaces your instructor. Solo and checkride readiness require their signoff.
Loved by student pilots and CFIs

The training tool you wish you'd had at hour 1.

I was 22 hours in and ready to quit because I didn't know what to study between lessons. Liftoff gave me a clear next step every single day. Passed my checkride at 51 hours.

Maya K.
Private Pilot, KSQL

The AI debrief turns 4-line CFI notes into a polished study plan. My students stop forgetting what we worked on between Tuesday and Saturday. That alone is worth it.

Ben Alvarado
CFII, KPAO

Mock oral exams in the app are scarily close to my real DPE. Walked into checkride day already comfortable with the format.

Jordan W.
Private Pilot candidate
PPL Roadmap

Every step from “I want to fly” to “I'm a private pilot.”

The 13 milestones every Part 61 student goes through, wired into your dashboard, your calendar, and your instructor's workflow.

  1. 1
    Create FAA profile in IACRA
    Set up your Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application account and get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
  2. 2
    Get your FAA medical certificate
    Schedule an exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and obtain at least a Third-Class Medical.
  3. 4
    Enroll in ground school
    Pick a ground school (online or in-person) and start working toward your written test endorsement.
  4. 7
    Pass the FAA written knowledge test
    60 questions, 70% to pass. Most students aim for 85%+ on practice tests before scheduling.
  5. 8
    Complete solo requirements
    Pre-solo written, first solo, solo pattern work, and solo cross-countries.
  6. 13
    Pass the checkride and earn your PPL
    Oral exam, flight test, and a temporary airman certificate. Then go take a friend flying.
+ 7 more milestones: gear, hours, insurance, stage checks, DPE booking, and more.
See the full roadmap
For students

Know exactly what to do next.

Most student pilots quit because they get lost between lessons. Liftoff turns the entire FAA process into one clear path with a smart assistant in your pocket.

  • Step-by-step PPL roadmap, tailored to where you are
  • AI explains confusing FAA steps in plain English
  • Track flight hours, solo requirements, and checkride readiness
  • Practice checkride oral questions with a mock DPE
  • Stay synced with your instructor between lessons
28.4 hrs
Total flight time
Steep turns
Today’s focus from AI
3 / 7
Solo XC requirements
Solo XC
Next milestone
Instructor priority queue
3 students need you today
High priority
  • James Okafor
    14 days since last flight
    Review
  • Marcus Lin
    Ready for solo endorsement review
    Review
  • Sarah Chen
    Debrief pending from yesterday's lesson
    Review
For instructors

Spend less time repeating yourself, more time actually teaching.

Liftoff is the operating system you wish your flight school had. Every student, organized. Every debrief, drafted. Every checkride paperwork audit, automated.

  • See which students need attention today, ranked by AI
  • Generate lesson debriefs from quick post-flight notes
  • Track endorsements, ACS coverage, and checkride readiness
  • Reduce repetitive explanations with shareable AI lessons
  • Send students a clear next-step plan in two clicks
How it works

Four steps to a private pilot certificate.

  1. 1
    Start your roadmap
    Pick your certificate goal, training type (Part 61 or 141), and where you are today.
  2. 2
    Get matched with your instructor
    Connect with your CFI or get a Liftoff-recommended instructor in your area.
  3. 3
    Train with the AI in your corner
    Lesson prep, debriefs, oral exam practice, and a clear next step every day.
  4. 4
    Pass your checkride
    Mock oral, document audit, endorsement tracking, and a CFI signoff workflow that actually works.
Questions

Frequently asked.

Does Liftoff replace my flight instructor?

No, and it shouldn't. Liftoff is a coordination layer for you and your CFI. Endorsements, solo signoffs, and final readiness all stay with your instructor. We make the time between lessons more productive.

Is this Part 61 or Part 141?

We optimize for Part 61 today (independent CFIs and small flight schools). Part 141 syllabus support is on the roadmap.

Will Liftoff log my flight time officially?

Liftoff tracks your training and gives you a structured logbook view, but your handwritten or ForeFlight logbook remains the official record. We surface anything that's missing for your checkride.

How does the AI mock oral compare to a real DPE?

It runs structured oral exam practice against the Private Pilot ACS, scores answers, and asks DPE-style follow-ups. It's a great rehearsal, not a replacement for real-world prep with your CFI.

What does it cost?

Free for student pilots in early access. CFIs and flight schools have a Pro plan with the lesson debrief generator, AI agents, and roster tools.

Where does my data live?

Encrypted at rest in the US. We never share your training data. You can export everything any time.

AI-assisted, not AI-authorized.
Liftoff helps you prepare. It doesn't issue endorsements, sign you off for solo, or replace your CFI's judgment. Always follow your instructor, the POH, and FAA guidance.

Stop wondering what to do next.

Start your roadmap in 60 seconds. Free for student pilots in early access.