STUDENT PILOT
• Reach out to your local Ninety-Nines Chapter!
• Ensure you meet the minimum age requirement (16 for powered aircraft, 14 for gliders/balloons)
• Confirm your ability to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Decide on a flight school or independent instructor for your training
• Set a budget for your training expenses
• Purchase essential pilot supplies (e.g., headset, charts, pilot's operating handbook)
• Join a local flying club or aviation organization for support and resources
• Start a logbook to record your flight hours and training progress
• Schedule an appointment with an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). You will need a third class medical certificate
• Begin ground school studies (can be self-study or formal classes)
• Start flight lessons with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Apply for your student pilot certificate through IACRA or FAA Form 8710-1
• Gather necessary identification documents for your application
• Familiarize yourself with the FAA regulations (FAR/AIM)
• Prepare for your first solo flight once your instructor deems you ready
PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENSE
• Meet eligibility requirements:
Be at least 17 years old (16 for gliders or balloons)
Read, speak, write, and understand English fluently
• Obtain a third-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner
• Choose a flight school or certified flight instructor (CFI)
• Apply for and receive a student pilot certificate
• Begin ground school training (either through a formal course or self-study)
• Start flight training with your instructor
• Log the required flight hours:
Minimum 40 hours total flight time
At least 20 hours of flight instruction
At least 10 hours of solo flight time
• Complete cross-country flights, including solo cross-country
• Pass the FAA written knowledge test
• Receive endorsements from your instructor for solo flight and the practical test
• Complete night flight training
• Practice maneuvers and procedures for the practical test
• Pass the oral examination portion of the practical test (checkride)
• Pass the flight portion of the practical test with an FAA examiner
INSTRUMENT RATING
• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate
• Be at least 17 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English fluently
• Complete ground training or a home-study course on required aeronautical knowledge areas
• Pass the FAA written knowledge test with a score of 70% or better
• Acquire at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including:
At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor
3 hours of instrument flight training within 2 calendar months before the practical test
• Complete a cross-country flight under IFR, including:
For airplanes: a flight of 250 nautical miles with instrument approaches at each airport
For helicopters: a flight of 100 nautical miles with instrument approaches at each airport
• Hold a valid medical certificate
• Log the required flight hours as specified by FAA regulations (Part 61 or Part 141)
• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying readiness for the practical test
• Pass the practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner or designated pilot examiner
COMMERCIAL LICENSE
Age: Be at least 18 years old.
Language Proficiency: Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English fluently.
Medical Certificate: Obtain a second-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Private Pilot Certificate: Hold at least a current private pilot certificate.
Ground School: Complete ground school training and pass the FAA written knowledge test.
Flight Training: Log at least 250 hours of total flight time, including:
100 hours in powered aircraft and 50 hours in airplanes.
100 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC), with 50 of those hours in airplanes.
50 hours of cross-country flight time, with at least 10 hours in airplanes.
20 hours of training in areas such as instrument flying and complex or Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA).
10 hours of solo training.
10 hours of instrument training.
10 hours in a TAA.
Endorsements: Receive logbook endorsements from an instructor for the aeronautical knowledge test and the practical test.
Practical Test: Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot Oral and Practical Exam (checkride) with a designated pilot examiner (DPE), which includes an oral exam and a flight test
ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)
Age: At least 23 years old (21 for restricted ATP).
Language: Proficient in reading, speaking, writing, and understanding English.
Medical: Hold a valid first-class medical certificate.
Prior Certification: Hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
Flight Experience:
Minimum of 1,500 total flight hours, including:
500 hours of cross-country flight time
100 hours of night flight time
75 hours of instrument flight time
250 hours of pilot-in-command time
Training: Complete an ATP Certification Training Program (ATP CTP).
Testing: Pass the FAA ATP knowledge and practical tests.