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A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the most sought after type of pilot certification. In the United States, a Private Pilot License is actually called a Private Pilot Certificate and is similar to what a driver's license is for automobiles. By earning a private pilot license, you can legally fly an aircraft. Private pilots are trained to navigate small aircraft by themselves. Flight training includes aircraft maneuvers, navigation, emergency procedures and cross-country flight planning. While people may seek the license for hobby or sport reasons, a private pilot certification is the first major milestone on the road to becoming an airline pilot .
Since the private pilot certificate allows you to fly in and out of all civil airports, a licensed pilot may partake in activities ranging from flying to a nearby airport for lunch, to traveling across the country or even around the world without ever stepping foot on an airliner. A private pilot can take friends and family for rides, practice maneuvers, or become involved in many of the wonderful programs that introduce people to flying.
Private pilots are allowed to fly any aircraft for which they are appropriately rated. ”Appropriately rated“ refers to the successful training in a specific category and class rating of aircraft. An example of ”category“ would be ”airplane“ or ”helicopter“ while an example of ”class rating“ would be ”single-engine land“ meaning the aircraft has one engine and is limited to operations on land rather than on water. So, upon completion of your Private Pilot Certificate rated for ”airplane, single-engine land“ although you may have trained in a Cessna 172 you are allowed to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) in any aircraft that is a single-engine land airplane, a Piper Archer for example. Acting as pilot-in-command means you have the final authority and responsibility for the operation of the aircraft and the safety of the flight. Some aircraft may require additional authorization to act as PIC, known as receiving an endorsement, such as tailwheel or high-performance aircraft.
No, you may not act as pilot-in-command of an airplane for compensation or hire, nor an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire. However, you may act as PIC of an aircraft and receive pro rata share, or an equal portion, of the operating expenses (fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees only) from others onboard the aircraft, as long as you do not pay less than the pro rata share.
With a private pilot certificate, you can act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft towing a glider, fly for charity, non-profit, or community events, or assist in search and location operations and be reimbursed for fuel, oil, airport expenses, and rental fees.
An aircraft salesman who also holds a private pilot certificate and has at least 200 hours may act as pilot-in-command while demonstrating an aircraft to a customer. Also, you may even act as a test pilot (with certain limitations).
The amount of time required to earn a private pilot certificate varies and largely depends on weather, availability, finances, and how often a student is available to fly. In a fast-paced program, a pilot certificate can be earned in approximately two months . For other students who are only able to fly once in a while a pilot certificate could take a couple years.
In order to receive a private pilot certificate, all candidates will be evaluated by an FAA examiner during a practical test consisting of an oral portion and a flight portion. An instructor will need to provide training to the candidate and ensure the student meets all aeronautical experience requirements prior to applying for the practical test. Prior to the practical test, students must also complete a written knowledge exam. All candidates must be at least 17 years of age on the date of the practical test to be eligible. In addition, they must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Reference 14 CFR §61.103 for the entire list of eligibility requirements.
To earn a private pilot certificate, a pilot must:
Reference 14 CFR §61.103 for a complete listing of all requirements.
According to federal regulations , you must meet the following aeronautical flight experience requirements to earn a private pilot license. At a minimum, private pilot candidates qualified for the practical test will have logged 40 hours of flight time that includes 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor as well as 10 hours of solo flight. The training must include:
Reference 14 CFR §61.109 for more details on flight time requirements.
Once you have received the required flight training, you are eligible for the FAA Practical Exam , also known as a checkride . The exam must be administered by a designated FAA examiner and consists of an oral and flight exam. If you are successful with the oral exam, the examiner will administer the flight exam. Upon the successful completion of both, the examiner will help you fill out your FAA paperwork and you will receive a temporary private pilot certificate to use until you receive your official FAA certificate.
In order to exercise the privileges of a private pilot license, you must hold a third-class medical certificate , which can be obtained through an aeromedical examiner (AME). This should be done early on in training as you will not be able to solo an airplane without your medical certificate . Certificates must also be renewed periodically. If you are under the age of 40, this is every 60 months. While if you are over the age of 40, you must renew your medical cerficate every 24 months.
A licensed 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. To put it another way, holding a commercial pilot license means you are legally allowed to get paid as a pilot.
Get started today and gain access to the following FREE resources:
Summary of educational, medical, legal, certification and qualification requirements to become a commercial pilot and fly for major and regional airlines.
You can become a pilot. Learn how to become a pilot and get your pilot license, including requirements, eligibility, how long it takes, and cost.
ATP Flight School is the nation’s leader in airline-oriented flight training and has partnered with United to provide ATP students the fastest path to a successful pilot career with United. Learn more about United Aviate SM .
Accelerated pilot cadet program, offering a proven path to a pilot career at American Airlines.
No, you don't need a college degree to become a pilot. Learn more about what the college education requirements are to become an airline pilot.
It takes two months to become a private pilot. In two years, you can become a commercial airline pilot. Learn how you can become a pilot with ATP Flight School.
Enroll in accelerated flight training with ATP and go from zero experience to a commercial airline pilot, with 1500 hours, in two years. Learn how you can become an airline pilot with ATP Flight School.
Airlines operate on a seniority-based system. Learn what this means for your career and why getting to the airlines first is important.
The shortage of pilots qualified to fly for the airlines is causing regional airlines to offer signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and other incentives. Learn more about how much you will earn as a pilot.
ATP provides up-front, fixed-cost pricing in a way that differentiates us from most other flight schools and academies. With over 30 years of experience, ATP designs our flight training programs with enough flight time for the vast majority of students to be successful.
Complete list of aviation courses, flight training, and career pilot programs offered by ATP Flight School.
The student pilot certificate is a requirement in order to fly a powered aircraft by yourself, known as “soloing” in aviation.
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first major milestone on the road to a career as a pilot. Learn about the private pilot license; including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and how to earn your private pilot license.
Learn all about a commercial pilot license, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and how to earn this pilot license.
Learn all about earning your flight instructor certification, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and salary information.
Learn all about earning your flight instructor certification, including privileges, requirements, eligibilty, and salary information.
An ATP certification will also open a wide array of pilot job opportunities with various corporate and private air carriers. Learn more about the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification, such as, eligibility requirements and flight experience requirements.
Flying is a rewarding career, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction. Pilots undertake intensive training to develop a highly unique skill set. As a result, commercial pilots are paid well.
Commercial airline pilot job career information; airline pilot hiring, pilot salary, retirement numbers, military pilot population reduction and the overall upcoming pilot shortage discussion.
Long-term pilot career outlook in response to COVID-19, including long term hiring trends, projections, retirements, and the effects of postponing flight training.
All trademarks, trade names, service marks, product names, company names, logos, and brands used or mentioned herein are property of their respective owners in the United States and other countries. Mention of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. 14 CFR part 142 programs provided by ATP Jet Simulation, Inc.
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