If you’re dreaming of taking to the skies, the FAA offers a range of pilot certificates to match your goals—whether you’re flying for fun, instructing others, or planning a career in commercial aviation. Each certificate comes with its own privileges, limitations, and training requirements, so it’s important to understand which one fits your path best.
Below is a detailed breakdown of all the FAA pilot certification levels, from the entry-level Student Pilot to the top-tier Airline Transport Pilot certificate, including ratings that expand your capabilities as a pilot.
FAA Pilot Certification Levels
1. Student Pilot Certificate
- Purpose: Initial step for individuals learning to fly.
- Privileges: Allows solo flight under specific conditions with instructor endorsement.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 16 years (14 for gliders or balloons).
- Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Obtain a third-class medical certificate.
- Validity: Does not expire.
2. Sport Pilot Certificate
- Purpose: For flying light-sport aircraft primarily for recreation.
- Privileges:
- Operate light-sport aircraft during daylight hours.
- Carry one passenger.
- Fly in uncontrolled airspace.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 17 years.
- Valid U.S. driver’s license (in lieu of FAA medical certificate).
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
- Limitations:
- No night flying.
- No flights above 10,000 feet MSL.
- No flights in Class A, B, C, or D airspace without additional training and endorsements.
3. Recreational Pilot Certificate
- Purpose: For flying small aircraft for personal enjoyment.
- Privileges:
- Fly single-engine aircraft up to 180 horsepower.
- Carry one passenger.
- Operate within 50 nautical miles of the departure airport.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 17 years.
- Obtain at least a third-class medical certificate.
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
- Limitations:
- No night flying.
- No flights in airspace requiring communication with air traffic control without additional training.
4. Private Pilot Certificate
- Purpose: Most common certificate; allows for personal and recreational flying.
- Privileges:
- Fly aircraft for personal or business purposes without compensation.
- Carry passengers.
- Fly in a wide range of airspace, including controlled airspace.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 17 years.
- Obtain at least a third-class medical certificate.
- Accumulate a minimum of 40 flight hours (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141), including solo and dual instruction.
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
5. Instrument Rating
- Purpose: Allows pilots to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), relying on instruments for navigation.
- Privileges:
- Operate in weather conditions below Visual Flight Rules (VFR) minimums.
- Fly in Class A airspace.
- Requirements:
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
- Accumulate 50 hours of cross-country flight time as Pilot in Command.
- Log 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time.
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
6. Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Purpose: Permits pilots to be compensated for flying.
- Privileges:
- Conduct flights for hire or compensation.
- Serve as pilot-in-command for commercial operations.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
- Obtain at least a second-class medical certificate.
- Accumulate 250 total flight hours (Part 61) or 190 hours (Part 141).
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
7. Multi-Engine Rating
- Purpose: Qualifies pilots to operate aircraft with more than one engine.
- Privileges:
- Operate multi-engine aircraft.
- Requirements:
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
- Receive flight training in multi-engine aircraft.
- Pass a practical test (no additional knowledge test required).
8. Flight Instructor Certificate
- Purpose: Allows pilots to provide flight training and endorsements.
- Privileges:
- Instruct student pilots.
- Conduct flight reviews and proficiency checks.
- Requirements:
- Hold at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate.
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests specific to flight instruction.
- Meet specific flight experience requirements.
9. Instrument Instructor Rating (CFII)
- Purpose: Authorizes instructors to teach instrument flying.
- Privileges:
- Provide instrument flight training.
- Endorse students for the instrument rating practical test.
- Requirements:
- Hold a Flight Instructor Certificate.
- Hold an Instrument Rating.
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests for instrument instruction.
10. Multi-Engine Instructor Rating (MEI)
- Purpose: Allows instructors to teach in multi-engine aircraft.
- Privileges:
- Provide flight training in multi-engine aircraft.
- Endorse students for multi-engine ratings.
- Requirements:
- Hold a Flight Instructor Certificate.
- Hold a Multi-Engine Rating.
- Pass a practical test for multi-engine instruction.
11. Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate
- Purpose: Highest level of pilot certification; required for airline captains and first officers.
- Privileges:
- Serve as pilot-in-command or first officer in airline operations.
- Requirements:
- Minimum age: 23 years.
- Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating.
- Obtain a first-class medical certificate.
- Accumulate 1,500 total flight hours (with certain reductions applicable under specific conditions).
- Pass FAA knowledge and practical tests.
🩺 Medical Certification Classes
- First-Class Medical Certificate:
- Required for: ATP privileges.
- Validity:
- Under age 40: 12 months.
- Age 40 and over: 6 months.
- Second-Class Medical Certificate:
- Required for: Commercial Pilot privileges.
- Validity: 12 months for all ages.
- Third-Class Medical Certificate:
- Required for: Private Pilot privileges.
- Validity:
- Under age 40: 60 months.
- Age 40 and over: 24 months.
Flight Review Requirements
- Frequency: Every 24 calendar months.
- Components:
- Minimum of 1 hour of ground instruction.
- Minimum of 1 hour of flight training.
- Purpose: Ensure pilots maintain proficiency and stay updated on regulations.
👨✈️ Ready to Learn How to Fly?
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Blue skies and safe flying!
