We Take a Look at the Five Different Types of Pilot Licenses
The FAA issues five different types of certificates/licenses for fixed wing pilots (not including CFIs). Each of these has its benefits and drawbacks. We’ll discuss the five types of pilots licenses, how to get them and help you decide which option is best for you.
The Student Pilot Certificate
First, no matter which route you go, you must get your student pilot certificate. The student pilot certificate is a plastic card mailed to you by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) when you fill out the IACRA, found here.
To get your student pilot certificate through IACRA, or the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand English
Once you finish the application, which can take up to 45 minutes (I recommend you save often!) the FAA will quickly review it and send you your plastic student pilot certificate in the mail. Your student pilot certificate, in addition to being really awesome looking, is required to be in your possession when you fly the airplane solo. The student pilot certificate only allows you to fly solo within the restrictions set forth by your CFI in your logbook. You may also never carry passengers unless they are certificated private pilots.
The Sport Pilot Certificate
Unlike the private pilot certificate, you don’t need to pass a 3rd class medical examination. All you need is a drivers license to be approved for your sport pilot certificate. After you get your student pilot certificate, you are required to:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Pass the 40 question sport pilot knowledge test (the “written exam”) with a 70% or better
- Receive appropriate dual instruction hours and all instructor endorsements
- Complete the required flight time (20 hours, 5 of which must be solo)
- Complete the practical test (“checkride”)
Earning your sport pilot certificate is faster, cheaper, and a little easier than earning a private pilot certificate, especially if you are unable to pass a 3rd class medical. The sport pilot certificate is ideal for casual pilots who are interested in flying primarily for pleasure, like taking short trips on weekends, but it is not without its restrictions. Pilots with a sport certificate can:
- Only fly light-sport aircraft (LSA)
- Only fly during the daytime
- Only carry one passenger
- Only fly up to 2,000 above ground level
- Not fly in Class A airspace
- Only fly in Classes B, C, and D airspace with additional training and logbook endorsements
- Not tow anything
- Not fly for compensation or hire
- Not pay less than the pro rata share of operating expenses
The Recreational Pilot Certificate
The recreational pilot certificate, though the least popular by far, is still an option for those who want a slightly quicker flight training experience. Unfortunately, it is bogged down by tons of limitations and restrictions, and you’re still required to have a 3rd class medical certificate. To become a recreational pilot, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Read, speak, write and understand the English language
- Hold a student or sport pilot certificate
- Pass the 50 question knowledge test (“the written”) with a 70% or better
- Pass the oral exam
- Pass the practical flight test (“the checkride”)
- Receive appropriate dual instruction hours and all instructor endorsements
- Complete the required flight time (30 hours, 15 with an instructor, 3 of which must be solo)
Some restrictions can be lifted when you get additional flight training and any necessary endorsement, but the standard recreational pilot certificate says you:
- Can’t carry more than one passenger
- Can’t fly to an airport further than 50nm away
- Can’t fly in Class B, C, or D airspace
- May not fly an airplane that has more than four seats
- May not fly a tailwheel
- May not fly multi-engine aircraft
- May not fly an airplane with more than 180 HP
- May not fly a complex aircraft
- May not fly at night
- May not fly above 10,000’ MSL and/or 2,000’ AGL (whichever is higher)
- Must get a flight review if you have less than 400 hours and haven’t flown in 180 days
- You may not pay less than the pro rata share of operating expenses
The Private Pilot Certificate
The private pilot certificate is the standard pilot’s license for anyone who wants to continue their ratings to fly bigger, faster airplanes (or even helicopters), travel long distances with a few friends, and fly often and at any time. After getting your student pilot certificate, you can earn your private pilot certificate if you:
- Hold a current 3rd class medical certificate
- Are at least 17 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Pass the 60 question private pilot knowledge test (the “written exam”) with a 70% or better
- Receive appropriate dual instruction hours and all instructor endorsements
- Complete the required flight time (40 hours, 10 of which must be solo)
- Complete the practical test (“checkride”)
- Complete the oral exam
Once you’ve received your private pilot certificate, you are only limited in a few ways:
- You may not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire (but may fly in connection to a business as long as it’s incidental)
- You may not pay less than the pro rata share of operating expenses
With a standard private pilot certificate, you are limited to flying VFR (in weather with good visibility) but may fly at night. You are also free to earn ratings and endorsements that will allow you to fly many different types of aircraft in many different situations, such as your Instrument Rating (allowing you to fly in poor/no visibility weather and in Class A airspace), your Seaplane Rating (allowing you to fly an airplane equipped with floats- skis are also an option), your high-performance endorsement (allowing you to fly aircraft over 200 HP), your aerobatic endorsement (upset training which allows you to fly aerobatic maneuvers) and much, much more.
The Commercial Pilot License
Unlike the other three types of pilots listed previously, the commercial pilot is licensed (not certificated) to fly for compensation or hire. If you would like to fly airshows, fly airliners, tow gliders or banners for money, fly charters, conduct aerial tours, or become a flight instructor, you must earn your commercial pilot license. As a commercial pilot, you are also required to hold a 2nd class medical certificate, where a more scrupulous exam is necessary. Additionally, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Hold at least a private pilot certificate
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought
- Pass the knowledge test (“the written”)
- Pass the practical test (“checkride”)
Airline Transport Pilots
Pilots who want to fly airliners must earn their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. ATP’s are tested to the limit of their ability and are highly skilled, experienced pilots. These pilots must:
- Be at least 23 years of age
- Read, speak, write and understand English
- Be “of good moral character”
- Have their private pilot certificate, as well as instrument and multi-engine ratings
- Have their commercial pilot certificate
- Earn all three Certified Flight Instructor certificates (multi-engine, single-engine, and instrument)
- Have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, including 500 hours of cross-country, 100 hours of night flight, and 75 hours of IFR flight
- Pass a rigorous written exam
- Hold a 2nd class medical certificate
Final Thoughts on the Different Types of Pilots Licenses
In addition to the different types of pilots, there are three different CFI certificates and a remote pilot certificate (for flying drones) available for those who want to teach, fly for the airline, or fly UAVs. There are also dozens of different ratings and endorsements our club instructors can help you earn. If you have your heart set on one day owning a Piper Cub, you ought to get your tailwheel endorsement. If you want to fly across the world, a high-performance and high-altitude endorsement is likely in your future. The world of aviation is filled with opportunity; it takes hard work and dedication, but the payoff is more than worth it. No matter which of the five types of pilots licenses catches your eye, the High Sierra Pilots are there to support you every step of the way.
Never stop flying, and never stop learning!
Featured image illustrating the different types of pilots licenses was taken by Carly Courtney at the Minden-Tahoe Airport and features a personal jet, a Cessna 182 (single-engine piston aircraft), and in the background, an amphibious Grumman Widgeon (multi-engine sea).
