What a pilot license takes, and the CO₂ of the training
Every pilot license has a minimum number of flight hours, and every one of those hours burns fuel. This section reads the minimums from the regulations of four authorities. It then works out the fuel and CO₂ of that training in common trainers.
Checked October 9, 2026
Every license, permit and rating compared
The private pilot minimum runs from 40 hours (FAA and UK CAA) to 45 hours (Transport Canada and EASA). In a Cessna 172, which emits 88 kg of CO₂ an hour, that is 3,520 kg to 3,960 kg.
The commercial pilot minimum runs from 200 hours (Transport Canada, EASA, and UK CAA) to 250 hours (FAA), or 17,600 kg to 22,000 kg of CO₂ in the same aircraft. These are totals of flight time, so hours flown for the private license count toward them.
| Authority | License | Hours | CO₂ in a 172 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA | Private pilot license | 40 | 3,520 kg |
| Commercial pilot license | 250 | 22,000 kg | |
| Sport pilot license | 20 | 1,760 kg | |
| Transport Canada | Private Pilot Licence | 45 | 3,960 kg |
| Commercial Pilot Licence | 200 | 17,600 kg | |
| Recreational Pilot Permit | 25 | 2,200 kg | |
| Night rating | 20 | 1,760 kg | |
| Float rating | 7 | 616 kg | |
| EASA | Private Pilot Licence | 45 | 3,960 kg |
| Commercial Pilot Licence | 200 | 17,600 kg | |
| Light Aircraft Pilot Licence | 30 | 2,640 kg | |
| Night rating | 5 | 440 kg | |
| UK CAA | Private Pilot Licence | 40 | 3,520 kg |
| Commercial Pilot Licence | 200 | 17,600 kg |
The trainers shown are examples from our aircraft data, not a list of what any school flies.
Minimums are floors
Most students fly more than the minimum. For a US private pilot license, AOPA puts most students at 50 to 70 hours, and the FAA gives an average of about 75 hours, against the 40 it requires. We use 70 hours for typical figures: in a Cessna 172, that is about 6,160 kg of CO₂.
What changed in the UK
On 1 October 2025 the UK cut its private pilot minimum from 45 to 40 hours. The CAA also stopped issuing the LAPL(A) that day.
Explore by authority
AuthorityFAAPrivate pilot license, Commercial pilot license, and Sport pilot license. Minimum hours, fuel and CO₂ for each.
AuthorityTransport CanadaPrivate Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Recreational Pilot Permit, Night rating, and Float rating. Minimum hours, fuel and CO₂ for each.
AuthorityEASAPrivate Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Light Aircraft Pilot Licence, and Night rating. Minimum hours, fuel and CO₂ for each.
AuthorityUK CAAPrivate Pilot Licence and Commercial Pilot Licence. Minimum hours, fuel and CO₂ for each.
How we work out the CO₂
Hours multiplied by a trainer's fuel flow at about 75% power in cruise, then 8.31 kg of CO₂ per US gallon of avgas. It counts burning the fuel only, not producing it, and not non-CO₂ effects. Real lessons differ from cruise, and your school's fuel records settle it.
Guides on training and fuel burn
GuideWhat learning to fly costs the climate: 3 to 6 tonnes of CO₂, and how to halve itIn the US, a private pilot license typically takes 50 to 70 hours (AOPA; the FAA says about 75), or about 3 to 6 tonnes of CO₂ in a common trainer. Here is the math by trainer, how to cut it by about half, and where electric training stands.
GuideHow to cut your aircraft's fuel burn and CO₂Every US gallon of avgas you don't burn is 8.31 kg of CO₂ you don't emit. Leaning, power settings, altitude, ground time and maintenance, plus what unleaded fuel and electric trainers will and won't change.
Offset the CO₂ from every hour you fly
Retire rated carbon credits for the CO₂ your flights emit. Pick your aircraft and hours, and get a certificate for every order.