The FAA offers a progression of pilot certificates or licenses. Each license has varying experience and knowledge requirements and has varying privileges and limitations.
Student pilot A
student pilot certificate is obtained through the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. The student pilot certificate is only required when exercising solo flight privileges. Student pilots must also possess a medical certificate when conducting flights requiring medical certification. As of April 1, 2016 student pilot certificates do not expire. Once a student has accrued sufficient training and experience, a CFI can
endorse the student's logbook to authorize limited solo flight in a specific type (make and model) of aircraft. Additional endorsements must be logged for specific airports where a student operates solo. There is no minimum aeronautical knowledge or experience requirement for the issuance of a student pilot certificate. There are, however, minimum aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements for student pilots to solo, including: Solo requirements: • Be at least 16 years of age (14 for glider or balloon) • Read, speak, write, and understand the English language. • Demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test, including knowledge of the following areas: • Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight is performed • Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown • Receive and log flight training for the maneuvers and procedures appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown, including: • Preflight preparation •
Taxiing or surface operations, including run-ups • Takeoffs and landings, including normal and cross-wind • Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions • Climbs and climbing turns • Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures • Collision avoidance,
wind shear avoidance, and
wake turbulence avoidance • Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations • Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight • Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall • Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions • Ground reference maneuvers • Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions • Slips to a landing • Go-arounds Limitations while flying solo: • May not carry passengers. • May not fly for hire or in furtherance of a business. • May not fly in other than
VMC or above clouds when visual reference cannot be made to the surface. • May not fly contrary to limitations placed in logbook by instructor.
Sport pilot The sport pilot certificate was created in September 2004. The intent of the new rule was to lower the barriers of entry into aviation and make flying more affordable and accessible. The new rule also created the
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category of aircraft, which are smaller, lower-powered aircraft. The sport pilot certificate offers limited privileges mainly for recreational use. It is the only powered aircraft certificate that does not require a medical certificate; a valid vehicle driver's license can be used as proof of medical competence
provided the prospective pilot was not rejected for their last Airman Medical Certificate. Before a trainee can start the solo phase of flight training, a Student Sport Pilot Certificate must be issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These may be obtained from an FAA
Flight Standards District Office or FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. To qualify for the sport pilot certificate, an applicant must: • Be at least 17 years of age (16 for glider or balloon) • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English • Log at least 20 hours of flight time, of which at least • 15 hours must be dual instruction with a qualified flight instructor • 2 hours must be cross-country dual instruction • 5 hours must be solo flight • Fly one solo cross-country flight over a total distance of 75 or more nautical miles to two different destinations to a full-stop landing. At least one leg of this cross-country must be over a total distance of at least . • Have received 2 hours of dual instruction in the preceding 60 days, in preparation for the Practical Test • Pass a Knowledge (written) test • Pass a Practical (oral and flight) test • Have a valid US State drivers license or a current 3rd class or higher Airman Medical Certificate The above requirements are for heavier-than-air powered aircraft (airplanes). The requirements for gliders, balloons, gyroplanes, and dirigibles vary slightly. Sport pilots are only eligible to fly aircraft that are either certificated specifically as light-sport aircraft (LSA) or were certificated prior to the LSA regulations and are within the maximum weight and performance limitations of
light-sport aircraft. The restrictions placed on a Pilot exercising the privileges of a Sport pilot certificate are: • No more than one passenger • Daytime flight only (
civil twilight is used to define day/night), unless possessing an Airman Medical Certificate, additional instruction and instructor endorsement •
Maximum Takeoff Weight of 1320 lb, compared to of the
Private Pilot Certificate or the
Recreational Pilot Certificate. • No flight above
MSL or
AGL, whichever is higher (this automatically excludes flight in
Class A airspace) • No flight in any of the airspace classes that require radio communication (
B,
C, or
D) without first obtaining additional instruction and instructor endorsement The Sport pilot certificate is also ineligible for additional ratings (such as an
Instrument rating), although time in light-sport aircraft can be used towards the experience requirement of other ratings on higher certificate types.
Recreational pilot The recreational pilot certificate requires less training and offers fewer privileges than the private pilot certificate. It was originally created for flying small single-engine planes for personal enjoyment; the newer Sport Pilot certificate overlaps this need and is easier to get, but the recreational certificate allows access to larger single-engine aircraft, and instructor endorsements are available to recreational pilots that are not applicable to sport pilots, such as flying
cross-country. Eligibility requirements: • Be at least 17 years old • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language • Pass a required knowledge test • Pass a required oral and practical flight test administered by a FAA designated examiner • Hold either a student or sport pilot certificate. Limitations and restrictions (without additional endorsement): • May not carry more than one passenger. • May not fly to an airport further than 50 NM from the departure point. • May not fly in Class B, C, D airspace or to any controlled airport. • May not fly an aircraft that has more than four seats, a tailwheel, more than one engine, or more than 180 hp. • May not fly aircraft falling under the definition of a
complex airplane, with retractable gear, adjustable flaps and variable-pitch propeller. • May not fly between sunset and sunrise. • May not fly above 10,000 ft MSL or 2,000 ft AGL (whichever is higher) • If pilot has logged less than 400 hours and has not acted as pilot in command within 180 days, a flight review is required prior to any flight without an instructor. Most of the above limitations, except the one-passenger, four-seat and single-engine restrictions, can be relaxed or lifted individually through instructor endorsement. These endorsements are obtained by participating in a prescribed course of ground and/or flight instruction given by an FAA-certificated instructor, including a minimum number of instructor-led flight in a plane or situation normally requiring the endorsement. Common types of endorsement for recreational pilots can allow: • Taking off from and landing at controlled airports and flying within their Class B/C/D airspace. • Command of "
complex airplanes" with mechanisms or flight systems including retractable gear, flaps, and variable-pitch propellers. • Command of "high-performance" aircraft with engine ratings in excess of 180 hp. • Command of pressurized aircraft at altitudes exceeding 10,000 MSL (but not above FL180). • Command of tailwheel aircraft (many such designs are WWII-era fighters which usually also require "complex" and "high-performance" endorsements). • Command of a specific make and model of aircraft, regardless of its capabilities. • The aircraft endorsed must still be single-engine and have four or fewer seats; a recreational pilot may be endorsed for a
Mooney Bravo or even a
P-51 without having general endorsements for high-performance, complex or tailwheel aircraft, but cannot be endorsed to fly a six-seat
Cessna 206 or twin-engine
Piper Aztec. • Flights beyond 50 NM from the departure point, including cross-country VFR flying. • Night flying by VFR (an
instrument rating is still required for night SVFR/IFR, and practically requires a private pilot certification) A recreational pilot will typically only get a few of these, to allow operation of an aircraft in a few exceptional situations applicable to their locale (the Class B/C/D endorsement, for instance, is practically required for pilots living in major cities). Pilots requiring a large subset of these endorsements are typically better served by obtaining their private pilot certification.
Private pilot The
private pilot certificate allows command of any aircraft (subject to appropriate ratings) for any non-commercial purpose, and gives almost unlimited authority to fly under
visual flight rules (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. A Private Pilot may be reimbursed for the aircraft operating expenses that are directly related to search and location operations, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees, and the operation is sanctioned and under the direction and control of a public or private agency that conducts search and location operations. Private pilots may also operate charity flights, subject to certain restrictions, and may participate in similar activities, such as
Angel Flight,
Civil Air Patrol and many others. Besides the student pilot certificate, the private pilot certificate is the most commonly issued pilot certificate in the United States. All the requirements to obtain a private pilot certificate for "airplane, single-engine, land", or
ASEL, (which is the most common certificate) are: • Be at least 17 years old (16 years old for glider or balloon rating) • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language • Obtain at least a third class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (except for glider or balloon) • Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test • Accumulate and log a specified amount of training and experience, including the following: • If training under Part 61, Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 61.109, requires at least 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of flight with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight (i.e., by yourself), and other requirements including cross-country flight, which include • Solo requirements: • 5 hours of solo cross-country time • One solo cross-country flight of at least total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points and with one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least between the takeoff and landing locations • Three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower. • Night requirements: • 3 hours of night flight training • 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport • 1 cross-country flight of 100 NM total distance at night • 3 hours of flight training on the control and maneuvering solely by reference to instruments • 3 hours of flight training for cross-country flights • 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test • If training under Part 141, at least 35 hours of piloting time including 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including cross-country and night flights • Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor Holders of a foreign private pilot licence (PPL) may obtain a temporary United States private pilot certificate without any further showing of proficiency, provided they keep the foreign PPL valid. Such a temporary certificate will include the holder's foreign ratings, including an instrument rating if the holder passes the written US instrument rating knowledge test.
Commercial pilot A
commercial pilot may act as
pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation or hire, as well as carry persons or property for compensation or hire. 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. For aircraft categories where an instrument rating is available, commercial pilots without an
instrument rating are restricted to daytime flight within when carrying passengers for hire. In 2018, the
FAA updated the training requirements to no longer require 10 hours of training in a
complex airplane. Now, a commercial airplane pilot must log 10 hours of training in either a technically advanced airplane, a
complex airplane, or a turbine-powered airplane. The requirements are: • Be at least 18 years of age • Hold a private pilot certificate • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language • Accumulate and log a specified amount of training and experience; the following are part of the airplane single-engine land class rating requirements: • If training under Part 61, at least 250 hours of piloting time including 20 hours of training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including several "cross-country" flights, i.e., more than 50 nautical miles (93 km)(25 NM for helicopter rate) from the departure airport (which include Day VFR and Night VFR between beginning point and destination, with a time of at least two hours; also one cross-country flight of at least to the destination, a total distance, with landings at three airports) and both solo and instructor-accompanied night flights • If training under Part 141, at least 150 hours of training time including 55 hours with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including several cross-country, solo, and night flights • Pass a 100-question aeronautical knowledge written test • Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor By itself, this certificate does not permit the pilot to set up an operation that carries members of the public for hire; such operations are governed by other regulations. Otherwise, a commercial pilot can be paid for certain types of operation, such as banner towing, agricultural applications, and photography, and can be paid for instructing if she or he holds a flight instructor certificate (In the case of lighter-than-air, only a commercial pilot certificate is required to teach for that category). To fly for hire, the pilot must hold a second class medical certificate, which is valid for 12 calendar months if the pilot is 40 years or older; if the pilot is less than 40 years old the certificate is valid for 24 calendar months. Often, the commercial certificate reduces the pilot's insurance premiums, as it is evidence of training to a higher safety standard.
Airline transport pilot An airline transport pilot (commonly called an "
ATP") is tested to the highest level of piloting ability. The certificate is a prerequisite for acting as a flight crew-member in scheduled airline operations. The minimum pilot experience is 1,500 hours of flight time (1200 for Helicopters), 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time, and 75 hours instrument operations time (simulated or actual). Other requirements include being 23 years of age, an instrument rating, being able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, a rigorous written examination, and being of good moral character. An Airline Transport Pilot – restricted (ATP-r) is also available for pilots that do not meet the more rigorous requirements of an ATP. The only hour requirement for the ATP-r is 1,500 total and 200 cross-country. The "total time" requirement is reduced to 750 hours for former military pilots, 1,000 hours for graduates of university bachelor's degree programs, or 1,250 for graduates of university associate degree programs. The holder of an ATP-r is limited to only serving as the first officer in a two-pilot operation. Upon obtaining the requisite age and aeronautical experience, the pilot is issued an unrestricted ATP without further examination. see 14CFR61.160 (requirements) and 14CFR61.167 (privileges and limitations)
Remote pilot UAVs weighing between 0.55 lb and 55 lb or used in a commercial nature is subject to Part 107 regulations. Exemptions for Part 107 are granted on a case by case basis by the FAA subject to risk mitigation. UAV weighing 55 lb or more are subject to Part 333 regulations. Eligibility requirements: (Non Part 61 certificate holders) • Be at least 16 years old • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language • Pass a required knowledge test • Must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operations • Valid for 2 years – certificate holders must pass recurrent knowledge training every two years (Part 61 certificate holders) • Must hold a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 61 • Must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 months • Valid for 2 years – certificate holders must pass either a recurrent online training course OR recurrent knowledge test every two years Restrictions • Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lb. (25 kg). • Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. Alternatively, the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the visual observer. • At all times the small unmanned aircraft must remain close enough to the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS for those people to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. • Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons not directly participating in the operation, not under a covered structure, and not inside a covered stationary vehicle. • For pilots that passed the knowledge test prior to April 2021 and have not taken the night operations training unit are limited to daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. • Must yield right of way to other aircraft. • May use visual observer (VO) but not required. • First-person view camera cannot satisfy “see-and-avoid” requirement but can be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways. • Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph (87 knots). • Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or, if higher than 400 feet AGL, remain within 400 feet of a structure. • Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from control station (500 feet of visibility below clouds, and 2000 feet horizontally away from clouds). • Major League Baseball • National Football It is possible to mix the license levels on one certificate. For example, a private pilot with both glider and airplane ratings could earn a commercial license for gliders. The new license would then list the airplane ratings as having only "private privileges." ==Hour requirements==