Your instructor, generally called a Certified Right Instructor (CFI), will brief you on the components of the aircraft and the events that will occur on your first training flight. All flying at this stage is usually done in a light* single-engine trainer aircraft, such as a Cessna 152 (CE-152), Piper Cherokee (PA-28), or Beech Sundowner (BE-23). NOTE WELL: This flight and all subsequent flights will be recorded in your pilot logbook. Your pilot's log must accompany you throughout your aviation career. In your log, you will record each flight you make along with the type of aircraft, tail number, date, point of takeoff and landing, duration of flight, flight conditions, and training received (if any).
I. PRE-SOLO (STUDENT PILOT)
a. Minimum age, none.
b. Medical certificate, none.
c. Written test, none.
Recreational Pilot License
In August 1989 the FA A instituted a new pilot certificate with reduced minimum flying time requirements of 30 hours. Operations under this certificate are limited to daytime hours within 50 nautical miles of your home field and in airspace where no communications with air traffic control is required. Aircraft restrictions include a single engine of 180 horsepower or less, fixed landing gear and a maximum of four seats. Because of these operating limitations this license would be of limited utility to a person planning an aviation career and is not recommended.
Solo Student Pilot Requirements
The medical certificate serves as your Student Pilot license. It must be endorsed by a flight instructor when you have met the flight time and skill requirements specified for solo flight. NOTE WELL: You may not carry passengers at this point. While working toward your Private Pilot license, you do all of your flying either solo (alone) or dual (with an instructor).
n. SOLO STUDENT PILOT REQUIREMENTS
a. Minimum age, 16.
b. Medical certificate, Third Class. This medical certificate is obtained from an aviation medical examiner (AME), i.e., a doctor designated by the FAA.
c. Written test, none.
Private Pilot Requirements
All of these flight time requirements are bare minimums. Acquiring the Private Pilot license generally takes several hours beyond the minimums, usually 45 to 60 hours.
The written examination administered by the FAA (the Private Pilot Written Examination) will be handled by a Designated Flight Examiner, i.e., a pilot authorized by the FAA to administer the Private Pilot flight test. You must obtain the written endorsement of your instructor prior to taking your flight check. Your flight check will consist of a review of your logbook for proper endorsements and flight time; an inspection of your medical certificate and written exam results; and an oral examination on aerodynamics, on the aircraft you are using (including its equipment), and on your duties and responsibilities as a pilot. You will plan a cross-country flight and conduct a preflight inspection of the aircraft. Once in the air, you will perform the maneuvers required by the FARs; you must demonstrate the level of skill required by these regulations.
m. PRIVATE PILOT REQUIREMENTS
a. Minimum age, 17.
b. Medical certificate, Third Class.
c. Written test, Private Pilot written exam.
d. Flight time, 40 hours minimum, consisting of the following:
" 20 hours dual, 20 hours solo.
" Dual check-out in cross-country flying and 10 hours solo cross-country flying.
" Three hours of night flying instruction including 10 takeoffs and landings.
" Flight under simulated instrument conditions.
e. Oral exam and practical test (private pilot flight test).
Instrument Rating Requirements
All of your instrument flight training will be done with a vision-limiting device (hood), on a flight simulator, or in actual "instrument" conditions (weather conditions that prevent outside reference to the natural horizon, i.e., in the clouds). After you meet the requirements, you are recommended for your check ride by your instructor. The Instrument flight test will determine your ability to control the airplane safely under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and under the direction of air traffic control (ATC).The Instrument rating may be obtained prior to the Commercial Pilot flight test because the flight time requirements for the Instrument rating are slightly less than those for the Commercial license.
IV. INSTRUMENT RATING REQUIREMENTS
a. Minimum age, 17.
b. Medical requirements, Third Class.
c. Written test, Instrument written exam.
d. Flight time requirements are as follows:
" 125 hours total time.
" 50 hours of cross-country as a Pilot in Command (PIC).
" 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time, not more than 20 of which may be in an instrument ground trainer (flight simulator).
" 15 hours of instrument instruction, at least five of which must be in an airplane.
e. Oral exam and practical test (Instrument Rating flight test).
License Requirements (Part 61)
You must have an instrument rating. If you do not have an instrument rating, you may not fly beyond 25 miles from the airport of departure or at night while carrying passengers for hire. If you wish, you may obtain your instrument rating during the Commercial Pilot flight test. You also must have completed the flight time and training requirements and be recommended by your instructor.
As a commercial pilot, you will now have the qualifications to earn a living as a professional pilot in single-engine aircraft, but the jobs for single-engine-only pilots are limited.
V. COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS (PART 61)
a. Minimum age, 18.
b. Medical certificate, Second Class - somewhat more restrictive than the certificate required for a private pilot, because you will now be able to carry passengers for hire.
c. Written test, Commercial Pilot written exam.
d. Total flight time, 250 hours (no more than 50 in a
simulator), including the following:
" 50 hours of instruction.
" 10 hours of instruction in a "complex" airplane, i.e., one which has more than 200 horsepower or which has a retractable landing gear, controllable pitch propeller, and flaps.
" 5 hours of nighttime flying with at least 10 takeoffs and landings.
" 50 hours of cross-country flight, with one flight of at least 250 miles in length (150 in Hawaii).
" 100 hours of Pilot in Command (PIC) time.
e. Oral exam and practical test (Commercial Pilot flight test).
