Pilot Certificates

• The type of intended flying influences what type of pilot's certificate is required

  • Eligibility, training, experience, and testing requirements differ depending on the type of certificates sought

• Each type of pilot's certificate has privileges and limitations that are inherent within the certificate itself

• However, other privileges and limitations may be applicable based on the aircraft type, operation being conducted, and the type of certificate

• For example, a certain certificate may have privileges and limitations under 14 CFR part 61 and part 91

  • Privileges: define where and when the pilot may fly, with whom they may fly, the purpose of the flight, and the type of aircraft they are allowed to fly

  • Limitations: the FAA may impose limitations on a pilot certificate if, during training or the practical test, the pilot does not demonstrate all skills necessary to exercise all privileges of a privilege level, category, class, or type rating

• The following certificates are issued under part 61 to an applicant who satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the certificate sought:

  • Student pilot - Not eligible for Flying Company

  • Sport pilot - Not eligible for Flying Company

  • Recreational pilot - Not eligible for Flying Company

  • Private pilot - Not eligible for Flying Company

  • Commercial pilot - Eligible for Flying Company

  • Airline transport pilot - Eligible for Flying Company

Commercial Pilot

A commercial pilot may be compensated for flying. Training for the certificate focuses on a better understanding of aircraft systems and a higher standard of airmanship. The Commercial Pilot Certificate itself does not allow a pilot to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and commercial pilots without an instrument rating are restricted to daytime flight within 50 NM when flying for hire

A commercial airplane pilot must be able to operate a complex airplane, as a specific number of hours of complex (or turbine-powered) aircraft time are among the prerequisites, and at least a portion of the practical examination is performed in a complex aircraft. A complex aircraft must have retractable landing gear, movable flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller. See 14 CFR part 61, section 61.31(e) for additional information. [Figure 1-23]

The FAA adopted a final rule in Nov 2022 requiring commercial hot-air balloon pilots to hold medical certificates when flying paying passengers. The rule mandates a second-class medical certificate, the same standard required for other commercial pilots

Airline Transport Pilot

The airline transport pilot (ATP) is tested to the highest level of piloting ability. The ATP certificate is a prerequisite for serving as a PIC and second in command (SIC) of scheduled airline operations. It is also a prerequisite for serving as a PIC in select charter and fractional operations. The minimum pilot experience is 1,500 hours of flight time. In addition, the pilot must be at least 23 years of age, be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, and be "of good moral standing." A pilot may obtain an ATP certificate with restricted privileges enabling him/her to serve as an SIC in scheduled airline operations. The minimum pilot experience is reduced based upon specific academic and flight training experience. The minimum age to be eligible is 21 years.

Instructor Certificates

There are two types of instructor certificates, flight, and ground:

Flight Instructor Ratings

• The following ratings are placed on a flight instructor certificate when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

  • Aircraft category ratings:

    • Airplane

    • Rotorcraft

    • Glider

    • Powered-lift

  • Airplane class ratings:

    • Single-engine

    • Multiengine

  • Rotorcraft class ratings:

    • Helicopter

    • Gyroplane

  • Instrument ratings:

    • Instrument -- Airplane

    • Instrument -- Helicopter

    • Instrument -- Powered-lift

  • Sport pilot rating

Ground Instructor Ratings

• The following ratings are placed on a ground instructor certificate when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

  • Basic

  • Advanced

  • Instrument

Pilot Ratings

The following ratings are placed on a pilot certificate (other than student pilot) when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

Aircraft category ratings

• Airplane - Eligible for Flying Company

• Rotorcraft - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

• Glider - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

• Lighter-than-air - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

• Powered-lift - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

• Powered parachute - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

• Weight-shift-control aircraft - Not Eligible for Flying Company (yet)

Airplane class ratings

• Single-engine land (ASEL)

• Multiengine land (AMEL)

• Single-engine sea (ASES)

• Multiengine sea (AMES)

Aircraft type ratings

• Large aircraft other than lighter-than-air

• Turbojet-powered airplanes

• Other aircraft type ratings specified by the Administrator through the aircraft type certification procedures

• Second-in-command pilot type rating for aircraft that is certificated for operations with a minimum crew of at least two pilots

Instrument ratings (on private and commercial pilot certificates only):

• Instrument-Airplane (this will be an available rating drop-down for Commercial Certificates, but not for ATP Certificates)

  • Reason being, you MUST be an Instrument Rated pilot in order to have an ATP. However, you can be a Commercial Pilot without an Instrument Rating in rare circumstances (ie. crop-duster pilot)

• Instrument-Helicopter

• Instrument-Powered-lift