The recreational pilot certificate requires less training and offers fewer privileges than the private certificate. It was originally created for flying small single-engine planes, and has since been largely supplanted by the Sport Pilot certificate. It is significantly more restrictive than a private pilot certificate. The holder is restricted to 50 nautical miles from his field of departure and from operating in the vicinity of airports with a control tower, though these restrictions can be lifted with additional training and endorsements.

• Flight Training Hours Needed: 30 hours.
• You will need a medical certificate before you can fly solo.
• You are limited to daytime flights only.
• Only permitted to carry one passenger.
• Can only fly single-engine aircraft.
• You must remain within 50 nautical miles of your home airport.
• You cannot fly in airspace where air traffic control communications are required