Becoming A Pilot

There are various levels of pilot certificates:

Private Pilot
Commercial Pilot
Airline Pilot

In addition there are also ratings which add on priviliages to the certificates, such as an Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine Rating.

Private Pilot

The first recommended step in becoming a private pilot would be to take an introductory flight.

You can find flight schools or flight instructors in our aviation directories.

Once you know this is what you really want to do, it's a good time to get a medical certificate, which also is your student pilot certificate.

The medical certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Find an AME - FAA Aviation Medical Examiners.

There are two main types of flight school, Part 61 and Part 141.

Part 61 flight schools allow students and instructors flexibility to tailor the training individually, while in accordance with regulations.

Part 141 flight schools must strictly follow a sylabus where one lesson must be completed prior to commencing the next, however usually Part 141 courses are approved with lower hour requirements than Part 61 training (the actual hours flown will ultimately depend on progress).

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) list tasks that must be taught, and the hour requirements necessary for each certicate and rating.

The private pilot course will initially teach you how to control the airplane, followed by a solo flight, then navigation and a solo cross-country flight.

In addition to practical skills, you will work with your instructor and on your own to learn the necessary knowledge, which will assist learning to fly the aircraft, and help you pass the multi-choice computer test. Educational material.

Once the instructor recommends you for the test, you have an oral exam and flight with an examiner to gain your certificate.