What is a professional pilot license

Most people use the terms certificate and license interchangeably when discussing the different types of pilot licenses. Are they just two ways to say the same thing, though? After all, becoming a pilot means learning how to get things right. Granted, the definitions are quite similar, but which one do you think seems more appropriate for pilots? Oops, certificates. To start with, obtaining any airman certificate requires you to be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

The requirement applies to private, commercial, and airline transport pilots, as well as flight engineers and navigators who fly internationally. The majority of pilots also need a medical certificate to exercise the privileges of their pilot certificate. Interestingly, the FAA started issuing BasicMed for general aviation GA pilots as an alternative to the third-class medical certificate in Other than English proficiency, the aforementioned requirements apply to most types of pilot licenses.

With fewer than recreational pilots in the US , the recreational pilot certificate is on its way to becoming obsolete in the near future. But for the time being, the FAA still issues the certificate. In addition to the common requirements discussed earlier, getting your recreational certificate requires you to:. You can lift most limitations through the completion of a prescribed training course with an FAA-certified flight instructor.

If the restrictions of the sport and recreational certificates sound too limiting to you, then you should consider getting a private pilot license. Additionally, you must log a minimum of 35 or 40 flight hours. Why two figures? Because it depends on whether the flight school is Part 61 or Part However, most pilots take almost double these minimums to get their PPL. Studying aviation theory helps reduce the time to master flight maneuvers. A great option for that is taking an interactive ground school, such as the private airplane pilot course on Pilotinstitute.

You can fly any aircraft, so long as you receive appropriate training, for non-commercial purposes. Moreover, you can pilot aircraft in almost any VFR condition, fly at night, and carry several passengers. Want to make a living as a pilot? Then you need to get a commercial pilot license. Depending on your pilot license and ratings, you will be licensed to fly different types of aircraft.

Above all, you can even fly for commercial airlines as a paid professional certified pilot. Therefore, you need to think about your pilot goals. However, the FAA subjects pilots to specific rules and limitations depending on the category or rating. The FAA is the governing institution that establishes and enforces all aviation rules and regulations.

This includes pilots and other aviation careers and industries. There are several main classifications for FAA pilot licenses, certificates, and ratings. For instance, the most common are:. We hear from aspiring pilots from all around the world every day. In fact, some people have nurtured this dream since childhood. Certainly every goal begins as a dream. For instance, get your student pilot license so you can start training.

As a result of acquiring your student pilot license, you can begin your flight training. Whatever you decide to do with your pilot license, opportunities abound. For example, your ATPL can put you inside the cockpit of a commercial airline aircraft.

There are countless aviation careers available to licensed pilots. The more licenses and ratings you have, the more options you have. A Student Pilot Certificate authorizes you to take flight instruction from a licensed instructor. This is the first step toward earning an actual license. The FAA requires you to meet basic eligibility requirements.

Once met, you can obtain a Student Pilot Certificate, which allows you to begin flight training. First of all, you must be 16 years of age. Note: If you intend to pilot a glider or balloon, you only have to be 14 years old.

Additionally, you must be proficient in English. English is the universal language in aviation, therefore you must have a good command of the language.

Then, submit this to a proper authority. You can also submit to an airman certification representative at a Part flight school, such as Epic Flight Academy.

Once it has been reviewed by ACB, expect to receive your student pilot certificate by mail in approximately three weeks. You can find an examiner near you to schedule your medical exam. Once you have your student pilot certificate and medical certificate, you are finally ready to begin training. In order to obtain your FAA private pilot license you must log a minimum of 35 hours of varied flight time.

You must also pass the written tests, pass the FAA check-ride, and hold a valid drivers license. With a PPL, you will be authorized to fly alone or with other people.

However, you may not be paid for flying or taking people on flights. However, some additional instrument rating tests may be required for more advanced aircraft. Most pilots earn their Instrument Rating so they can safely and legally fly in low visibility conditions. The commercial pilot license CPL allows you to be paid for your pilot services. Thinking about working as a CPL?

There are a few requirements you will first have to meet. Basic requirements to work as a CPL include:. With the CMEL certification, you will be authorized to fly twin-engine aircraft.

To earn this rating, you will be required to fly specific maneuvers in a twin-engine aircraft. The course covers topics such as slow flight, stalls, and VMC demos, focusing on proper procedures for complex emergency situations. Finally, the Airline Transport Pilot License is what you need to fly for the major airlines. A Certified Flight Instructor CFI certificate allows you to train student pilots in flying different types of aircraft and in different weather conditions.

While working as an instructor, you will log hours toward the FAA requirement of hours to fly passenger service for the airlines. You will also be authorized to endorse students who are taking IR training to take their FAA oral and practical exams. You will have to pass the instrument flight instructor knowledge test and checkride. Your MEI certifies you to teach students who want to become certified to fly multi-engine aircraft.

Additionally, you must take 10 hours of ground school and 10 hours of flight training. As with all ratings, you are required to pass a checkride. Check Flight School Eligibility! Training time varies among individuals and flight schools. For instance, factors such as weather, aircraft maintenance, and student aptitude all play a role.

We have been training commercial airline pilots at Epic Flight Academy since Specifically, our program takes USA student pilots with no experience through all levels of training in approximately 1 year. However, we have had many students complete much more quickly.

In fact, some complete in as few as 7 months. International students require less training time. Our students typically complete their ratings in the following time frames:. This depends on a number of factors, such as which license you want and where you train. The Private Pilot is the pathway most student pilots take as they invest time, energy, and money into the process of learning to fly. This license requires 40 hours of flight training. The Private Pilot license is the pathway to advanced pilot certificates.

Meaning, pilots with a Private Pilot license and are career-minded, can pursue the advanced certificates Instrument, Commercial , and Certified Flight Instructor Certificates and get paid to fly. Pilots who want to fly for the airlines, become corporate pilots, or fly charter jets are required to have the ATP certificate.

Typically, pilots need 1, hours of logged flight time, an ATP certificate, and a college degree. Requires a minimum of 30 hours of flight training. The aircraft a Recreational Pilot flies is limited to horsepower, and can only fly at a maximum altitude of AGL.