Primary Pilot Certificates

 

Student Pilot Certificate
This is the required start line for people who want to become pilots. This certificate is a pre-requisite for the student learner to fly alone in the aircraft, or solo. You can start an application once you turn 13 years old, but you can't complete it until you're within 90 days of your 14th birthday, or older. Your flight school instructor will walk you through the application process. During this early stage of training you will officially be termed a “learner.”
 

1. Private Pilot Certificate
   This, the most fundamental of all certificates, provides the pilot with the most pre-commercial flight flexibility. It beats out the other two primary certificates in versatility. The pilot can carry passengers for non-revenue in a variety of aircraft. This permits flight during day- and night-time hours and flight during both Visual Flight Rule (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) conditions — flight into clouds. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical certificate of at least the Third Class. FSANA recommends the Private Pilot Certificate as the most efficient and effective pathway to get started.
    

2. Sport Pilot Certificate
   A limited alternative to the Private Pilot Certificate. This certificate allows a pilot to enjoy limited flight privileges. A valid drivers license is required. An FAA medical certificate is not required — that fact and its lower cost to attain make it an attractive alternative to some.
    
   Of these two notable primary certificate pathways, a Private Pilot Certificate costs a bit more but wins out in versatility. Which fits you best?
    

3. Recreational Pilot Certificate
   A less popularized and limited alternative to the Private Pilot and Sports Pilot Certificates. This certificate allows a pilot to enjoy very limited flight privileges. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical certificate of at least the Third Class. Its lower cost to attain is its main attraction.
    

 

Career Pilot Certificates

 

Commercial Pilot Certificate
Now you can earn money when flying an aircraft. Every pilot that earns money to fly ANY type of aircraft is required to have a Commercial Pilot Certificate. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical certificate of at least the Third Class. This certificate is not specific to flying for an airline.
 
Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
Now you can teach others how to fly. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical certificate of at least the Third Class.
 
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Certificate
Now you can teach others how to fly on instruments. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical certificate of at least the Third Class.
 
Air Transport Pilot Certificate
The highest pilot certificate to be earned in the pilot world. This certificate is required by the airlines and many corporate aircraft operators. This certificate requires a person to hold a FAA medical of the First Class.

 

 

Begin your flight training

Once you have selected a flight school, the real fun and educational transfer can begin. FSANA recommends that you try to fly at least 1-2 times every week as your schedule and funds permit. There is no rule that requires a student learner to fly once, twice or more per week. Studies have shown that the best learning and retention takes place during the early days of flight training when the learner has higher levels of engagement with the training environment.

 

Training timetable

There is no regulation or rule that states that your flight training must be completed in so many days or months. Some people take a year or more to earn their first pilot certificate. In the end, you need to do what is best for you. Learning to fly is not a sprint. It should be fun and the beginning of a road to lifelong learning.

Schedule your introductory flight

Thumbs up, you have made the decision that you want to learn to fly. Now it’s time to take your first aero step — an introductory flight with a certified flight instructor. You may be totally comfortable as a passenger in a 150-seat airliner but being in the front seat will provide a whole new dimension for you. Maybe you will decide that flying is simply not your cup of tea. That’s OK, at least you know you tried and had the experience. But we’re betting, you take to the sky.
 
The cost of an introductory flight averages $200 depending on the flight school.
 
Just so you know, a quality flight school will not conduct an introductory flight if the weather is not conducive for a reasonably comfortable experience. High winds, rain, poor visibility and/or turbulent conditions are not conducive for a first flight in the cockpit.

 

Beg, borrow, fly

The cost to acquire your first Pilot Certificate can range anywhere between $5,000-$13,000. This range is established based on a selection of criteria including but not limited to:
 

1. Type of pilot certificate (Private or Sport)

2. Type of training aircraft

3. School proximity and locality

4. Your ability to learn and to fly the aircraft

5. Your frequency of flight lessons

Because each person learns and onboards education at different rates there is no guarantee of the final costs.
 
Think of making a career of it? Jump to our CAREER PILOT PAGE for an idea of the financial outlay and potential income.

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Advance deposits 

It is not recommended that people place large deposits in advance during their flight training pathway. Many schools will offer some level of discount when a student places a deposit on the account. FSANA recommends that students limit advanced deposit levels to between $1,000-$2,000 per deposit.

Exceptions to this guideline include flight schools that provide accelerated training where a person earns a pilot certificate or rating in a short time period, which can be 2-6 weeks. Schools that provide this type of training will require larger advanced deposits since the student is flying 5-6 days each week.
 
Schools that supply foreign flight training may also require larger deposits since their customers are non-residents of the United States and money management is more challenging due to physical distance.

 

Making a career of it

Both Private and Commercial licenses are required for all career paths listed in the table below. Additional license and/or ratings are required as indicated (x).
 

Training cost

Anyone who seeks to become a career fixed-wing pilot can expect to spend between $60,000-$85,000. Those who seek to become a career rotary-wing pilot can expect to spend between $85,000-$120,000. The estimated expenses are based upon a person going from Private Pilot through Certified Flight Instructor Instruments.
 

Career pilot earnings

Like all career pathways, there are many levels of compensation based on a pilot’s experience, type of aircraft flown, and aviation industry segment. The following estimated annual earnings are provided for general information.
 

Career path

Annual salary range

Agricultural pilot

$50,000 - $100,000

Airline pilot

$50,000 - $300,000

Air freight pilot

$50,000 - $300,000

Certified flight instructor

$40,000 -   $80,000

Charter pilot

$40,000 - $150,000

Corporate pilot

$40,000 - $200,000

Emergency medical pilot

$60,000 - $100,000

Military pilot

$60,000 - $100,000

 

Do you need a college degree to fly for an airline?

Years ago, airline pilot applicants were required to have a college degree. Today, the regional airlines hire pilots to become First Officers (co-pilots) without a college degree. None-the-less, it is highly recommended that pilots who seek any career which requires flying an aircraft secure some type of college degree.
 
The reason is simple. If at some point in time, a pilot cannot qualify for the FAA Part 67 Medical Certificate, they are no longer permitted to operate an aircraft for compensation. Having a fallback career is important if and when this would happen. The degree can be in any variety of categories. This will help the pilot continue to earn a living if they can no longer fly for a career.