Figure 1-20. Front side (top) and back side (bottom) of an airman
certificate issued by the FAA.
a specific make and basic model of aircraft,
Including modifications thereto that do not
change its handling or flight characteristics.
Examples include: 737-700, G-IV, and 1900; and
2. As used with respect to the certification of
aircraft, means those aircraft which are similar
in design. Examples include: 737-700 and 737-
700C; G-IV and G-IV-X; and 1900 and 1900C.
This system of definitions allows the FAA to group and
regulate aircraft to provide for their safe operation.
Pilot Certifications
The type of intended flying influences what type of pilot’s
certificate is required. Eligibility, training, experience,
and testing requirements differ depending on the type of
certificates sought. [Figure 1-20] Each type of pilot’s
certificate has privileges and limitations that are inherent
within the certificate itself. However, other privileges and
limitations may be applicable based on the aircraft type,
operation being conducted, and the type of certificate.
For example, a certain certificate may have privileges and
limitations under 14 CFR part 61 and part 91.
• Privileges—define where and when the pilot may fly,
with whom they may fly, the purpose of the flight, and
the type of aircraft they are allowed to fly.
• Limitations—the FAA may impose limitations on a
pilot certificate if, during training or the practical test,
the pilot does not demonstrate all skills necessary to
exercise all privileges of a privilege level, category,
class, or type rating.
Endorsements, a form of authorization, are written to establish
that the certificate holder has received training in specific skill
areas. Endorsements are written and signed by an authorized
individual, usually a certificated flight instructor (CFI), and
are based on aircraft classification. [Figure 1-21]
Sport Pilot
To become a sport pilot, the student pilot is required to have
flown, at a minimum, the following hours depending upon
the aircraft:
• Airplane: 20 hours
• Powered Parachute: 12 hours
• Weight-Shift Control (Trikes): 20 hours
• Glider: 10 hours
• Rotorcraft (gyroplane only): 20 hours
• Lighter-Than-Air: 20 hours (airship) or 7 hours
(balloon)
To earn a Sport Pilot Certificate, one must:
• Be at least 16 years old to become a student sport pilot
(14 years old for gliders or balloons)
• Be at least 17 years old to test for a sport pilot
certificate (16 years old for gliders or balloons)
• Be able to read, write, and understand the English
language
• Hold a current and valid driver’s license as evidence
of medical eligibility
When operating as a sport pilot, some of the following
privileges and limitations may apply.
Privileges:
• Operate as pilot in command (PIC) of a light-sport
aircraft
• Carry a passenger and share expenses (fuel, oil, airport
expenses, and aircraft rental)
• Fly during the daytime using VFR, a minimum of
3 statute miles visibility and visual contact with the
ground are required
Recreational pilot to conduct solo flights for the purpose of obtaining an additional certificate or rating while under
the supervision of an authorized flight instructor: section 61.101(i).
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of section 61.87 in a (make and model
aircraft). I have determined he/she is prepared to conduct a solo flight on (date) under the following conditions: (List
all conditions which require endorsement, e.g., flight which requires communication with air traffic control, flight in an
aircraft for which the pilot does not hold a category/class rating, etc.).
Figure 1-21. Example endorsement for a recreational pilot to conduct solo flights for the purpose of determining an additional certificate
or rating.
Limitations:
• Prohibited from flying in Class A airspace
• Prohibited from flying in Class B, C, or D airspace
until you receive training and a logbook endorsement
from an instructor
• No flights outside the United States without prior
permission from the foreign aviation authority
• May not tow any object
• No flights while carrying a passenger or property for
compensation or hire
• Prohibited from flying in furtherance of a business
The sport pilot certificate does not list aircraft category
and class ratings. After successfully passing the practical
test for a sport pilot certificate, regardless of the light-sport
aircraft privileges you seek, the FAA will issue you a sport
pilot certificate without any category and class ratings. The
Instructor will provide you with the appropriate logbook
endorsement for the category and class of aircraft in which
you are authorized to act as pilot in command.
Recreational Pilot
To become a recreational pilot, one must:
• Be at least 17 years old
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the
English language
• Pass the required knowledge test
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements in
either a single-engine airplane, a helicopter, or a
gyroplane.
• Obtain a logbook endorsement from an instructor
• Pass the required practical test
• Obtain a third-class medical certificate issued under
14 CFR part 67
As a recreational pilot, cross-country flight is limited to a 50
NM range from the departure airport but is permitted with
additional training per 14 CFR part 61, section 61.101(c).
Additionally, recreational pilots are restricted from flying
at night and flying in airspace where communications with
ATC are required.
The minimum aeronautical experience requirements for a
recreational pilot license involve:
• 30 hours of flight time including at least:
• 15 hours of dual instruction
• 2 hours of en route training
• 3 hours in preparation for the practical test
• 3 hours of solo flight
When operating as a recreational pilot, some of the following
privileges and limitations may apply.
Privileges:
• Carry no more than one passenger;
• Not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating
expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the
expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or
aircraft rental fees
Limitations:
• A recreational pilot may not act as PIC of an aircraft
that is certificated for more than four occupants or has
more than one powerplant.
Private Pilot
A private pilot is one who flies for pleasure or personal
business without accepting compensation for flying except
in some very limited, specific circumstances. The Private
Pilot Certificate is the certificate held by the majority of
Figure 1-23. A complex aircraft.
Figure 1-24. Type of aircraft flown by an airline transport pilot.
Figure 1-22. A typical aircraft a private pilot might fly.
active pilots. It allows command of any aircraft (subject
to appropriate ratings) for any noncommercial purpose
and gives almost unlimited authority to fly under VFR.
Passengers may be carried and flight in furtherance of a
business is permitted; however, a private pilot may not be
compensated in any way for services as a pilot, although
passengers can pay a pro rata share of flight expenses, such
as fuel or rental costs. If training under 14 CFR part 61,
experience requirements include at least 40 hours of piloting
time, including 20 hours of flight with an instructor and 10
hours of solo flight. [Figure 1-22]
Commercial Pilot
A commercial pilot may be compensated for flying. Training
for the certificate focuses on a better understanding of
aircraft systems and a higher standard of airmanship. The
Commercial Pilot Certificate itself does not allow a pilot
to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and
commercial pilots without an instrument rating are restricted
to daytime flight within 50 NM when flying for hire.
A commercial airplane pilot must be able to operate
a complex airplane, as a specific number of hours of
complex (or turbine-powered) aircraft time are among
the prerequisites, and at least a portion of the practical
examination is performed in a complex aircraft. A complex
aircraft must have retractable landing gear, movable flaps,
and a controllable-pitch propeller. See 14 CFR part 61,
section 61.31(e) for additional information. [Figure 1-23]
Airline Transport Pilot
The airline transport pilot (ATP) is tested to the highest level
of piloting ability. The ATP certificate is a prerequisite for
serving as a PIC and second in command (SIC) of scheduled
airline operations. It is also a prerequisite for serving as a PIC
in select charter and fractional operations. The minimum pilot
experience is 1,500 hours of flight time. In addition, the pilot
must be at least 23 years of age, be able to read, write, speak,
and understand the English language, and be “of good moral
standing.” A pilot may obtain an ATP certificate with restricted
privileges enabling him/her to serve as an SIC in scheduled
airline operations. The minimum pilot experience is reduced
based upon specific academic and flight training experience.
The minimum age to be eligible is 21 years. [Figure 1-24]
Selecting a Flight School
Selecting a flight school is an important consideration in
the flight training process. FAA-approved training centers,
FAA-approved pilot schools, noncertificated flying schools,
and independent flight instructors conduct flight training in
the United States. All flight training is conducted under the
auspices of the FAA following the regulations outlined in
14 CFR parts 142, 141, or 61. Training centers, also referred
to as flight academies, operate under 14 CFR part 142 and
are certificated by the FAA. Application for certification
is voluntary and the training center must meet stringent
requirements for personnel, equipment, maintenance,
facilities, and must teach a curriculum approved by the
FAA. Training centers typically utilize a number of flight
simulation training devices as part of its curricula. Flight
training conducted at a training center is primarily done
under contract to airlines and other commercial operators
in transport or turbine aircraft, however many also provide
flight training for the private pilot certificate, commercial
pilot certificate, instrument rating, and ATP certificate.
Flight schools operating under 14 CFR part 141 are
certificated by the FAA. Application for certification is
voluntary and the school must meet stringent requirements
for personnel, equipment, maintenance, facilities, and must
teach an established curriculum, which includes a training
course outline (TCO) approved by the FAA. The certificated
schools may qualify for a ground school rating and a flight
school rating. In addition, the school may be authorized
to give its graduates practical (flight) tests and knowledge
(computer administered written) tests. The FAA Pilot School
Search database located at http://av-info.faa.gov/PilotSchool.
asp, lists certificated ground and flight schools and the pilot
training courses each school offers.
Enrollment in a 14 CFR part 141 flight school ensures
quality, continuity, and offers a structured approach to flight
training because these facilities must document the training
curriculum and have their flight courses approved by the
FAA. These strictures allow 14 CFR part 141 schools to
complete certificates and ratings in fewer flight hours, which
can mean a savings on the cost of flight training for the
student pilot. For example, the minimum requirement for a
Private Pilot Certificate is 35 hours in a part 141-certificated
school and 40 hours in a part 61-certificated school. (This
difference may be insignificant for a Private Pilot Certificate
because the national average indicates most pilots require 60
to 75 hours of flight training.)
Many excellent flight schools find it impractical to qualify
for the FAA part 141 certificates and are referred to as part
61 schools. 14 CFR part 61 outlines certificate and rating
requirements for pilot certification through noncertificated
schools and individual flight instructors. It also states what
knowledge-based training must be covered and how much
flight experience is required for each certificate and rating.
Flight schools and flight instructors who train must adhere
to the statutory requirements and train pilots to the standards
found in 14 CFR part 61.
One advantage of flight training under 14 CFR part 61 is its
flexibility. Flight lessons can be tailored to the individual
student, because 14 CFR part 61 dictates the required
minimum flight experience and knowledge-based training
necessary to gain a specific pilot’s license, but it does not
stipulate how the training is to be organized. This flexibility
can also be a disadvantage because a flight instructor who
fails to organize the flight training can cost a student pilot
time and expense through repetitious training. One way for
a student pilot to avoid this problem is to ensure the flight
instructor has a well-documented training syllabus.
How To Find a Reputable Flight Program
To obtain information about pilot training, contact the local
FSDO, which maintains a current file on all schools within its
district. The choice of a flight school depends on what type of
certificate is sought, and whether an individual wishes to fly
as a sport pilot or wishes to pursue a career as a professional
pilot. Another consideration is the amount of time that can
be devoted to training. Ground and flight training should
be obtained as regularly and frequently as possible because
this assures maximum retention of instruction and the
achievement of requisite proficiency.
Do not make the determination based on financial concerns
alone, because the quality of training is very important.
Prior to making a final decision, visit the schools under
consideration and talk with management, instructors, and
students. Request a personal tour of the flight school facility.
Be inquisitive and proactive when searching for a flight
school, do some homework, and develop a checklist of
questions by talking to pilots and reading articles in flight
magazines. The checklist should include questions about
aircraft reliability and maintenance practices, and questions
for current students such as whether or not there is a safe,
clean aircraft available when they are scheduled to fly.
Questions for the training facility should be aimed at
determining if the instruction fits available personal time.
What are the school’s operating hours? Does the facility have
dedicated classrooms available for ground training required
by the FAA? Is there an area available for preflight briefings,
postflight debriefings, and critiques? Are these rooms private
in nature in order to provide a nonthreatening environment
in which the instructor can explain the content and outcome
of the flight without making the student feel self-conscious?
Examine the facility before committing to any flight training.
Evaluate the answers on the checklist, and then take time to
think things over before making a decision. This proactive
approach to choosing a flight school will ensure a student
pilot contracts with a flight school or flight instructor best
suited to their individual needs.
How To Choose a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI)
Whether an individual chooses to train under 14 CFR part
141 or part 61, the key to an effective flight program is the
quality of the ground and flight training received from the
CFI. The flight instructor assumes total responsibility for
training an individual to meet the standards required for
certification within an ever-changing operating environment.
A CFI should possess an understanding of the learning
process, knowledge of the fundamentals of teaching, and
the ability to communicate effectively with the student pilot.
During the certification process, a flight instructor applicant
is tested on the practical application of these skills in specific
teaching situations. The flight instructor is crucial to the
scenario-based training program endorsed by the FAA. He
or she is trained to function in the learning environment as an
advisor and guide for the learner. The duties, responsibilities,
and authority of the CFI include the following:
• Orient the student to the scenario-based training
system
• Help the student become a confident planner and
inflight manager of each flight and a critical evaluator
of their own performance
• Help the student understand the knowledge
requirements present in real world applications
• Diagnose learning difficulties and help the student
overcome them
• Evaluate student progress and maintain appropriate
records
• Provide continuous review of student learning
Should a student pilot find the selected CFI is not training in
a manner conducive for learning, or the student and CFI do
not have compatible schedules, the student pilot should find
another CFI. Choosing the right CFI is important because the
quality of instruction and the knowledge and skills acquired
from their flight instructor affect a student pilot’s entire
flying career.
The Student Pilot
The first step in becoming a pilot is to select a type of aircraft.
FAA rules for obtaining a pilot’s certificate differ depending
on the type of aircraft flown. Individuals can choose among
airplanes, gyroplanes, weight-shift, helicopters, powered
parachutes, gliders, balloons, or airships. A pilot does not
need a certificate to fly ultralight vehicles.
Basic Requirements
A student pilot is one who is being trained by an instructor
pilot for his or her first full certificate, and is permitted
to fly alone (solo) under specific, limited circumstances.
Before a student pilot may be endorsed to fly solo, that
student must have a Student Pilot Certificate. There are
multiple ways that an aspiring pilot can obtain their Student
Pilot Certificate. The application may be processed by an
FAA inspector or technician, an FAA-Designated Pilot
Examiner, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), or an Airman
Certification Representative (ACR). If the application is
completed electronically, the authorized person will submit
the application to the FAA’s Airman Certification Branch
(AFS-760) in Oklahoma City, OK, via the Integrated
Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA). If
the application is completed on paper, it must be sent to
the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), who will
forward it to AFS-760. Once the application is processed, the
applicant will receive the Student Pilot Certificate by mail at
the address provided on the application.
The aforementioned process will become effective on April
1, 2016. The new certificate will be printed on a plastic card,
which will replace the paper certificate that was issued in the
past. The plastic card certificate will not have an expiration
date. Paper certificates issued prior to the new process will
still expire according to the date on the certificate; however,
under the new process, paper certificates cannot be renewed.
Once the paper certificate expires, the Student Pilot must
submit a new application under the new process. Another
significant change in the new process is that flight instructors
will now make endorsements for solo privileges in the
Student Pilot’s logbook, instead of endorsing the Student
Pilot Certificate.
To be eligible for a Student Pilot Certificate, the applicant
must:
• Be at least 16 years of age (14 years of age to pilot a
glider or balloon).
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the
English language.
Medical Certification Requirements
The second step in becoming a pilot is to obtain a medical
certificate (if the choice of aircraft is an airplane, helicopter,
gyroplane, or an airship). (The FAA suggests the individual
get a medical certificate before beginning flight training to
avoid the expense of flight training that cannot be continued
due to a medical condition.) Balloon or glider pilots do not
need a medical certificate, but do need to write a statement
certifying that no medical defect exists that would prevent
them from piloting a balloon or glider. The new sport pilot
category does not require a medical examination; a driver’s
license can be used as proof of medical competence.
Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who
have physical disabilities which might limit, but not
prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest
FAA office. Anyone requesting an FAA Medical Clearance,
Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate can
electronically complete an application through the FAA’s
MedXPress system available at https://medxpress.faa.gov/.
A medical certificate is obtained by passing a physical
examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-
authorized AME. There are approximately 6,000
FAA-authorized AMEs in the nation. To find an AME near