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FAA Certification Requirements

 

 

Sport Pilot Certificate
Private Pilot Certificate
Private vs Recreational vs Sport Comparison
Instrument Rating
Commercial Certificate

Multi Engine Rating

Ground Instructor Certificate

Instructor Certificate Requirements
Airline Transport Certificate

 

 

Sport Pilot Certificate

  1. Be at least 17 years old.
  2. Be able to read, write and converse fluently in English.
  3. Log at least 20 hours of flight time of which at least:
      1. 15 hours must be dual instruction with a qualified flight instructor.
      2. 2 hours must be cross-country dual instructor.
      3. 5 hours must be solo flight.
  4. Fly one solo cross-country over a total distance of over 75 nm to two different destinations to a full-stop landing.  At least one leg of this cross-country must be over 25 nm.
  5. Have received 3 hours of dual instruction in the preceding 60 days before the practical test.
  6. Pass an oral and practical flight test, which will be conducted by and FAA designated examiner in accordance with the FAA Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards.
  1. FAA PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST consisting of 40 multiple choice questions covering:
    1. Applicable regulations of this chapter that relate to sport pilot privileges, limits, and fligh operations.
    2. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board.
    3. Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical information manual and FAA advisory circulars.
    4. Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems as appropriate.
    5. Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.
    6. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.
    7. Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.
    8. Weight and balance computations.
    9. Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems.
    10. Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, as applicable.
    11. Aeronautical decision making and risk management.
    12. Preflight actions that include:
      1. How to get information on runway lengths at airports of intended use,
        data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts,
        and fuel requirements.
      2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed
        or if you encounter delays.
  2. FAA PRACTICAL TEST
    1. Preflight preparation.
    2. Preflight procedures.
    3. Airport operations where applicable.
    4. Takeoffs , landings, and go-arounds.
    5. Performance maneuvers.
    6. Ground reference maneuvers.
    7. Navigation.
    8. Slow flight.
    9. Stalls.
    10. Emergency Operations.
    11. Post-flight procedures.
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Private Pilot Certificate

  1. Be at least 17 years old.
  2. Be able to read, write and converse fluently in English.
  3. Hold a current FAA 3rd class medical and Student Pilot Certificate.
  4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or training program covering the following topics:
    1. FARs
    2. ATC system and procedures
    3. VFR navigation
    4. Aerodynamics
    5. Weight and Balance
    6. Operation of aircraft & aircraft systems
    7. Use of VFR charts
    8. Aviation weather
    9. Emergency Procedures & unusual flight attitudes
    10. Recognition of critical weather
    11. Radio Communications
    12. Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
  5. Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.109):
    1. 3 hrs of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane
    2. 3 hrs of night flight training, including:
      1. One cross-country training flight of over 100 NM total distance
      2. 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (each involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at the airport
    3. 3 hrs of flight training on the control and maneuvering of the aircraft solely by reference to the flight instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radiocommunications and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight
    4. 3 hrs of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test
    5. Solo Requirements – 10 hrs, consisting of:
      1. 5 hrs solo cross-country time
      2. One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 NM total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points and with one segment of the flight consisting of a straight –line distance of at least 50 NM between the takeoff and landing locations.
      3. Three solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating control tower
  6. FAA PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST consisting of 40 multiple choice questions covering:
    1. Applicable regulations of this chapter that relate to sport pilot privileges, limits, and fligh operations.
    2. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board.
    3. Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical information manual and FAA advisory circulars.
    4. Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems as appropriate.
    5. Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.
    6. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.
    7. Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.
    8. Weight and balance computations.
    9. Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems.
    10. Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, as applicable.
    11. Aeronautical decision making and risk management.
    12. Preflight actions that include:
      1. How to get information on runway lengths at airports of intended use,
        data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts,
        and fuel requirements.
      2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed
        or if you encounter delays.
  7. FAA PRACTICAL TEST
    1. Preflight preparation.
    2. Preflight procedures.
    3. Airport operations where applicable.
    4. Takeoffs , landings, and go-arounds.
    5. Performance maneuvers.
    6. Ground reference maneuvers.
    7. Navigation.
    8. Slow flight.
    9. Stalls.
    10. Emergency Operations.
    11. Post-flight procedures.

 

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Instrument Rating

  1. Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
  2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
  3. Hold a current FAA medical certificate.
  4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course Subjects include:
    1. FARs
    2. IFR-related items in the AIM
    3. ATC system and procedures
    4. IFR navigation
    5. Use of IFR charts
    6. Aviation weather
    7. Operating under IFR
    8. Recognition of critical weather
    9. Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
    10. Crew Resource Management (CRM)
  5. Pass the FAA instrument rating knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.
  6. Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.65):
    1. 50 hr. of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hr. must be in airplanes:
      1. The 50 hr. includes solo cross-country time as a student pilot, which is logged as pilot-in-command time.
      2. Each cross-country must have a landing at an airport that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 NM from the original departure point.
    2. A total of 40 hr. of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in 7. below, including:
      1. 15 hr. of instrument flight training from a CFII (CFII is an instructor who is authorized to give instrument instruction) days preceding the practical test
      2. Cross-country flight procedures that include at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR and consists of:
        1. A distance of at least 250 NM along airways or ATC-directed routing
        2. An instrument approach at each airport
        3. Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
    3. If the instrument training was provided by a CFII, a maximum of 20hr. may be accomplished in an approved flight simulator or flight training device.
  7. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.65). You must receive and log training, as well as obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) from your CFII on the following areas of operation:
    1. Preflight preparation
    2. Preflight procedures
    3. Air traffic control clearances and procedures
    4. Flight by reference to instruments
    5. Navigation systems
    6. Instrument approach procedures
    7. Emergency operations
    8. Postflight procedures
  8. Successfully complete the instrument rating practical test

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Commercial Rating

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
  3. Hold a current FAA medical certificate.
  4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course Subjects include:
    1. FARs
    2. NTSB Part 830
    3. Aerodynamics
    4. Aviation weather
    5. Operation of aircraft
    6. Weight and balance
    7. Performance charts
    8. Effects of exceeding limitations
    9. VFR charts
    10. Navigation facilities
    11. Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
    12. Aircraft systems
    13. Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations in the airplane
    14. Night and high-altitude operations
    15. National airspace system
  5. Pass the FAA commercial pilot knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.
  6. Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.129). You must log at least 250 hr. of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
    1. 100 hr. in powered aircraft, of which 50 hr. must be in airplanes
    2. 100 hr. as pilot in command flight time, which includes at least:
      1. 50 hr. in airplanes
      2. 50 hr. in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hr. must be in airplanes
    3. 20 hr. of training in the areas of operation listed in item 8. below, including at least:
      1. 10 hr. of instrument training of which at least 5 hr. must be in a single-engine airplane
      2. 10 hr. of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered
      3. One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in a single-engine airplane in daytime conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure
      4. One cross-country flight of at least 2 hr. in a single-engine airplane in nighttime conditions, consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure
      5. 3 hr. in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 2 calendar months preceding the test
    4. 10 hr. of solo flight in a single-engine airplane training in the areas of operation required for a single-engine rating, which includes at least:
      1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 NM total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 NM from the original departure point
      2. 5 hr. in night-VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower
  7. Hold an instrument rating or your commercial certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying passengers for hire on flights beyond 50 NM or at night.
  8. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.127). You must receive and log training, and obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) from your CFI on the following areas of operation:
    1. Preflight preparation
    2. Preflight procedures
    3. Airport and seaplane base operations
    4. Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
    5. Performance maneuvers
    6. Ground reference maneuvers
    7. Navigation
    8. Slow flight and stalls
    9. Emergency operations
    10. High-altitude operations
    11. Postflight procedures
  9. Successfully complete a practical test.
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Multi Engine Rating

FAR 61.63(c) Additional class rating. Any person who applies for an additional class rating to be added on a pilot certificate:
  1. Must have an endorsement in his or her logbook or training record from an authorized instructor and that endorsement must attest that the applicant has been found competent in the aeronautical knowledge areas appropriate to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
  2. Must have an endorsement in his or her logbook or training record from an authorized instructor, and that endorsement must attest that the applicant has been found proficient in the areas of operation appropriate to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
  3. Must pass the required practical test that is appropriate to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
  4. Need not meet the specified training time requirements prescribed by this part that apply to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought unless the person holds a lighter-than-air category rating with a balloon class rating and is seeking an airship class rating
  5. Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.
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Ground Instructor Certificate

  1. Pass the FOI knowledge test.
  2. You are not required to take the FOI knowledge test if you
    1. Hold an FAA flight or ground instructor certificate
    2. Hold a current teacher's certificate authorizing you to teach at an educational level of 7th grade or higher
    3. Are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university
  • Ground instructor certificates cover three levels of certification:
    1. Basic ground instructor (BGI) may provide
      1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for a recreational or private pilot certificate
      2. Ground training required for a recreational or private pilot flight review
      3. A recommendation for the recreational or private pilot knowledge test
    2. Advanced ground instructor (AGI) may provide:
      1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for any certificate or rating
      2. Ground training required for any flight review
      3. A recommendation for a knowledge test required for any certificate
    3. Instrument ground instructor (IGI) may provide:
      1. Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for an instrument rating to a pilot or instructor certificate
      2. Ground training required for an instrument proficiency check
      3. A recommendation for the instrument rating knowledge test for a pilot or instructor certificate
  • If you are not a CFI, the FARs require you to have a ground instructor certificate to teach ground school only at FAR Part 141 schools or to sign off applicants for the appropriate pilot knowledge test.
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    Instructor Certificate Requirements
    1. Be at least 18 years of age.
    2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
    3. Hold a commercial or airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate with an aircraft rating appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought (e.g., airplane, glider).
      1. You must also hold an instrument rating to be a flight instructor in an airplane.
    4. Receive and log ground training
      1. Fundamentals of instructing (FOI)
      2. All other subject areas in which ground training is required for recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificates and for an instrument rating
    5. Pass both the FOI and the flight instructor knowledge tests with scores of 70% or better.
      1. You are not required to take the FOI knowledge test if you
        1. Hold an FAA flight or ground instructor certificate
        2. Hold a current teacher's certificate authorizing you to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher
        3. Are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university
    6. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.187).
      1. You must receive and log flight and ground training and obtain a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor on the following areas of operations for an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating.
        1. Fundamentals of instructing
        2. Technical support areas
        3. Preflight preparation
        4. Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
        5. Preflight procedures
        6. Airport and seaplane base operations
        7. Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
        8. Fundamentals of flight
        9. Performance maneuvers
        10. Ground reference maneuvers
        11. Slow flight, stalls, and spins
        12. Basic instrument maneuvers
        13. Emergency operations
        14. Postflight procedures
      2. The flight instruction must be given by a person who has held a flight instructor certificate during the 24 months immediately preceding the date the instruction is given and who has given at least 200 hr. of flight instruction as a CFI.
      3. You must also obtain a logbook endorsement by an appropriately certificated and rated flight instructor who has provided you with spin entry, spin, and spin recovery training in an airplane that is certificated for spins and has found you instruction ally competent and proficient in those training areas, i.e., so you can teach spins.
    7. Successfully complete the flight instructor practical test.
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    Airline Transport Certificate

    1. Be at least 23 years of age.
    2. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
    3. Be of good moral character.
    4. Meet at least one of the following:
      1. Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating.
      2. Meet the military experience requirements (listed in FAR 61.73) to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating.
      3. Hold either a foreign ATP or a foreign commercial pilot license and an instrument rating, without limitations, issued by a member nation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
    5. Hold at least a current FAA third-class medical certificate. Later, if your flying requires an ATP certificate, you must hold a first-class medical certificate.
    6. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor, or complete a home-study course (61.155)
      1. Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations . . . that relate to airline transport pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations.
      2. Meteorology, including knowledge of and effects of fronts, frontal characteristics, cloud formations, icing, and upper-air data.
      3. General systems of weather and NOTAM collection, dissemination, interpretation, and use.
      4. Interpretation and use of weather charts, maps, forecasts, sequence reports, abbreviations, and symbols.
      5. National Weather Service functions as they pertain to operations in the National Airspace System.
      6. Windshear and microburst awareness, identification, and avoidance.
      7. Principles of air navigation under instrument meteorological conditions in the National Airspace System.
      8. Air traffic control procedures and pilot responsibilities as they relate to en route operations, terminal area and radar operations, and instrument departure and approach procedures.
      9. Aircraft loading, weight and balance, use of charts, graphs, tables, formulas, and computations, and their effect on aircraft performance.
      10. Aerodynamics relating to an aircraft's flight characteristics and performance in normal and abnormal flight regimes.
      11. Human factors.
      12. Aeronautical decision making and judgment.
      13. Crew resource management to include crew communication and coordination.
    7. Pass a pilot knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.
      1. A knowledge test is not required for you to add another aircraft type rating to your ATP certificate if your ATP certificate lists the aircraft category and class rating that is appropriate to the type rating sought.
    8. Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.159).
      1. Except as provided in b. and c. on the next page, you must log at least 1,500 hr. of total time as a pilot that includes at least
        1. 500 hr. of cross-country flight time
        2. 100 hr. of night flight time
          1. A person who has performed at least 20 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop may substitute each additional night takeoff and landing to a full stop for 1 hr. of night flight time, limited to not more than 25 hr. of night flight time.
        3. 75 hr. of actual or simulated instrument flight time
          1. The maximum time that may be accumulated in a flight simulator or flight training device, representing an airplane, is either
            1. 25 hr., if the training is not conducted under FAR Part 142, or
            2. 50 hr., if the training is conducted under FAR Part 142.
        4. 250 hr. of flight time as PIC of an airplane, or as SIC performing the duties and functions of a PIC under the supervision of a PIC, or by any combination of the two. This requirement must include
          1. 100 hr. of cross-country time
          2. 25 hr. of night flight time
          NOTE: Not more than 100 hr. of the total aeronautical experience requirements may be obtained in a flight simulator or a flight training device that represents an airplane, provided the experience was obtained in a course conducted under FAR Part 142.
      2. A commercial pilot may credit the following flight time toward the 1,500 hr. of total pilot time.
        1. SIC time, provided the time is acquired in an airplane, under one of the following conditions:
          1. Required to have more than one pilot flight crewmember by the airplane's flight manual, a type certificate, or the regulations under which the flight is being conducted
          2. Engaged in operations under Part 121 or 135 for which a SIC is required
          3. Required under the FARs to have more than one pilot flight crewmember
        2. Flight-engineer time, provided the time
          1. Is acquired in an airplane required to have a flight engineer by the airplane's flight manual or type certificate
          2. Is acquired while in operations conducted under Part 121 for which a flight engineer is required
          3. Is acquired while the person is participating in a pilot training program under Part 121
          4. Does not exceed more than 1 hr. for each 3 hr. of flight-engineer flight time for a total credited time of not more than 500 hr.
      3. You may be issued an ATP certificate with the endorsement "Holder does not meet the pilot in command aeronautical experience requirements of ICAO," if you
        1. Credit SIC or flight-engineer time toward the 1,500 hr. total flight time requirement
        2. Do not have at least 1,200 hr. of flight time as a pilot, including no more than 50% of your SIC time and none of your flight-engineer time
        3. Otherwise meet the aeronautical experience requirements
          NOTE: The endorsement described in item c. above will be removed when you present satisfactory evidence of the accumulation of 1,200 hr. flight time as a pilot including no more than 50% of your SIC time and none of your flight-engineer time.
    9. Successfully complete the ATP practical flight test given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner and conducted as specified in the FAA's Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating Practical Test Standards.
      1. The ATP practical test covers the following areas of operations:
        1. Preflight preparation
        2. Preflight procedures
        3. Takeoff and departure phase
        4. In-flight maneuvers
        5. Instrument procedures
        6. Landings and approaches to landings
        7. Normal and abnormal procedures
        8. Emergency procedures
        9. Postflight procedures
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