FAA Private Pilot Certification

The Steps to Becoming a Pilot

1. FAA requires you be 16 years old, speak English, and pass a basic medical examination.
2. Pass the FAA written exam (rules and regulations)
3. Pass the FAA flying exam

Certification Types

Pilots earn certificates, not licenses. Two main types:

1. recreational pilot certificate
2. private pilot certificate

• student certificate: good for 2 years (expires).
• recreation or private: (do not expire).

The recreational certificate is designed for fun flying close to home during the day only. Recreational pilots may only carry one passenger at a time.

Private pilots receive additional training on night flying, airport traffic control, and etc. Private pilots may carry as many passengers as the airplane will legally hold.

Student Certification

Get your medical exam from an FAA approved Doctor. Aviation medical examiner (AME) is/isn't the same?

The student certificate is also the medical certification and lasts 2 years.

Time Requirements

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 61 itemizes the things you must learn.

1. 40 hours of training for a private pilot certificate
   1. 20 with an instructor
   2. 20 solo

A Merchant's Guide to What Gear you need to get your FAA Private Pilot Certificate

1. You will need to find a good flight school and instructor. www.AOPA.org can help with this.
2. The school normally provides the rental aircraft.
3. You will need to purchase books, charts, and some personal equipment.
   1. The books you will need are:
      1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PH)
      2. Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
      3. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
      4. Private Pilot Knowledge Test Guide
      5. Private Pilot Flight Manuevers
      6. Private Pilot Practical Test Standards
      7. Pilot's Logbook
      8. Syllabus (optional for many schools)
   2. The required equipment is:
      1. Flight Computer (mechanical or electronic)
      2. Navigational Plotter
      3. Writing instrument and clipboard (lots of options here)
      4. Headset (School may have rentals) (Guuide on headsets coming).
      5. Local Aeronautical Chart Flight School or airport should have these.