Private Pilot Certificate

The private pilot certificate is the foundation for all aviation adventures, be it flying for pleasure, or for taking your first steps in striving to become a professional pilot. The achievement of securing a private pilot certificate means you will be permitted to fly yourself and passengers for pleasure, though you may not be compensated for your services as a pilot. Flying with a private pilot certificate means that you are permitted to fly under visual flight rules (VFR), complying with specific requirements pertaining to a minimum visibility and separation from clouds.

In order to successfully obtain a private pilot certificate one must be at least seventeen (17) years old, and fly for a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours in an approved Part 141 school (Part 61 schools require a minimum of forty (40) hours). Most students average about sixty-five (65) hours of flight training prior to attempting their practical test. It is also required that students pass the FAA Private Pilot written exam which consists of sixty (60) multiple choice questions. You must pass a Class III medical exam with an FAA-approved doctor every five years if you are under 40 years old; otherwise, once every two years.

Commercial Pilot Certificate

In order to be compensated as a pilot, one must procure a commercial pilot certificate. However, many pilots simply attain this certificate with the desire of continuing training and improving their skills and knowledge associated with aviation. Pilots who are looking to pursue a career in aviation must obtain a commercial pilot certificate on their journey to being a professional pilot.

The prerequisites for obtaining a commercial pilot certificate are an instrument rating, a minimum age of eighteen (18), the possession of a valid Class II medical certificate, a minimum of one hundred ninety (190) hours of flying in an FAA Part 141 flight school (Part 61 schools require two hundred fifty (250) hours), in addition to passing a written exam and practical test.

Airline Transport Pilot Certificate

The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate is the highest class certificate available and allows individuals that possess it the opportunity to perform pilot-in-command responsibilities for commercial airlines, in addition to other transport operations. In order to procure this certificate a pilot must have a minimum of one thousand five hundred (1500) hours of flying, along with the completion of a written exam and practical test.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate

The privilege of being able to instruct and teach others how to fly is received by procuring a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate. With this certificate you are able to instruct private and commercial students. Additionally, you may pursue additional instructor ratings that allow you to teach instrument (CFI-I) and multi-engine (MEI) flight.