TRAINING
PRIVATE PILOT
The foundation of flying
This is where it all begins. You will be tested on two aspects: physically flying the aircraft and your knowledge of flight.
The requirements to become a Private Pilot are:
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Be 17 years old (but you can solo an airplane at 16). There is no minimum age to start taking lessons.
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Be able to read, speak, and write the English language
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Obtain a medical certificate
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Pass a knowledge exam
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Fly a minimum of 40 hours, including 20 hours with an instructor, and 10 hours solo in the airplane. Among those 40 hours are a series of sub-
requirements, including night and long-distance flying.
INSTRUMENT RATING
Advance your skills
This is where you become a safer and more precise pilot allowing flight in and above the clouds.
To become an instrument pilot, you must:
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Hold at least a private pilot certificate
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Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
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Pass a knowledge exam
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Log 50hrs cross country time as PIC (10hrs must be in airplanes)
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Log 15hrs of instrument flight training with an authorized instructor
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Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of 14 CFR 61.65 (40hrs of actual or simulated instrument time)
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Pass the Instrument Rating Practical Test
COMMERICAL
You can finally make money flying
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Commercial pilot candidates must be at least 18 years old
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Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
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Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
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Acquire a minimum of 250 flight hours with the aeronautical experience listed in FAR 61.129
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Pass the aeronautical knowledge test
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Pass the Commercial Rating Practical Test
GETTING STARTED IN FLIGHT TRAINING
AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association) has some incredible resources for pilots. I encourage all my students and anyone interested in flying to join them. Listed below is two great free resources from AOPA.
