| Pilot Certification In The United States |
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Pilot certification in the United States is under the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ''Airman's Certificate'' is the proper term, although the word ''license'' is commonly used, even by the FAA. Certification is regulated under parts 61 and 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs", found in Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations). CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW An Airman's Certificate is issued at one of several levels of skill, and one or more ''ratings'' are placed on the certificate for specific ''categories'' And ''classes'' of Aircraft . Examples of categories are ''airplane'', ''glider'', and ''balloon''. Categories may be further subdivided into classes. For example, the airplane category consists of single-engine and multi-engine with classes of land and sea for each. An aircraft may be a member of more than one class. The common Cessna 172 training aircraft is formally a single-engine land airplane. A pilot may add other ratings to a certificate. Examples of additional ratings are the Instrument Rating , or one of many ''type ratings'', which are required to fly any aircraft defined as "large" (more than 12,500 pounds maximum legal takeoff weight) or any aircraft powered by a Jet Engine . To obtain a certificate or add a rating, a pilot usually has to undergo a course of training with a certificated instructor, accumulate and log specific aeronautical experience, and pass a three-part examination: a ''knowledge test'' (a computerized multiple-choice test, typically called the "written test"), and a combined ''oral'' and ''practical'' test carried out by either an FAA inspector or a designated examiner. Another form of authorization is an ''endorsement'' from a Flight Instructor that establishes that the certificated holder has received training in specific skill areas that do not warrant a full test, such as the ability to fly a tailwheel-equipped, high-performance, or pressurized airplane. Airman certificates other than student pilot certificates do not expire, although they may be suspended or revoked by the FAA. However, a pilot must maintain ''currency'' — recent flight experience that is relevant to the flight being undertaken. To remain active, every pilot has to undergo a Flight Review with an instructor every 24 calendar months (unless he gains a new certificate or rating in that time), and, for most types of certificate, undergo a Medical Examination at intervals ranging from six months to three years, depending on the pilot's age and desired flight privileges. Other currency requirements apply to the carriage of passengers or to flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). A medical certificate is not necessary to fly a glider or balloon, or to fly with a Sport Pilot Certificate . An Ultralight aircraft can be piloted without a pilot certificate or a medical certificate. PILOT TRAINING Most pilots in the U.S. undergo Flight Training as private individuals with a flight instructor, who may be employed by a flight school. Those who have decided on aviation as a career often begin with an Undergraduate aviation-based education. Some pilots are trained in the Armed Force s, and are issued with civilian certificates based on their military record. Others are trained directly by Airline s. The pilot may choose to be trained under Part 61 or Part 141 of the FARs. Part 141 requires that a certified flight school provide an approved, structured course of training, which includes a specified number of hours of ground training (for example, 35 hours for Private Pilot in an airplane). Part 61 sets out a list of knowledge and experience requirements, and is more suitable for students who cannot commit to a structured plan, or for training from freelance instructors. Becoming a professional pilot In aviation, a pilot's level of income and experience are highly related. There are multiple ways to gain the experience to be hired by a scheduled air carrier. Air carriers generally require that the pilots they hire have hours of experience far in excess of the legal minimum. This experience is often gained using these common methods:
CATEGORIES OF CERTIFICATE There are five categories and various classes of pilot certificates (except Student Pilot):
PILOT CERTIFICATES The U.S. offers a progression of pilot certificates, each with its own set of privileges and limitations. All U.S. pilots must be at least 17 years old (16 for a student, or a Glider or Balloon pilot), and be able to read, write, speak, and understand English . Student A student pilot certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) at the time of the student’s first medical examination. The student pilot certificate is only required when exercising solo flight privileges. The student certificate is valid until the last day of the month, 24 months after it was issued. Once a student has accrued sufficient training and experience, a CFI can ''endorse'' the student's certificate to authorize limited solo flight in a specific type of aircraft. A student pilot may not carry passengers, fly in furtherance of a business, or operate an aircraft outside of the various endorsements provided by their flight instructor. There is no minimum aeronautical knowledge or experience requirement for the issuance of a student pilot certificate other than the medical requirements for the class of Medical Certificate the student certificate is based upon. Sport pilot The Sport pilot certificate was created in 2004 to meet demand from pilots flying small, low-powered aircraft, and offers limited privileges. It is the only powered aircraft certificate that generally does not require a medical examination; a driver's license can be used as proof of medical competence. To qualify for the Sport pilot certificate, an applicant must:
The above requirements are for heavier-than-air powered aircraft (airplanes). The requirements for gliders, balloons, helicopters, and dirigibles vary slightly. Sport Pilots are only eligible to fly aircraft that are either certified specifically as light-sport aircraft (LSA) or were certified prior to the LSA regulations and are within the maximum weight and performance limitations of Light-sport Aircraft . The restrictions placed on a Pilot exercising the privileges of a Sport pilot certificate are:
The Sport pilot certificate is also ineligible for additional ratings (such as an Instrument Rating ), although time in sport-light aircraft can be used towards the experience requirement of other ratings on higher certificate types. Recreational The recreational pilot certificate requires less training and offers fewer privileges than the private certificate. It is a little-used certificate level, and will probably be supplanted in time by the sport pilot certificate. Private pilot The private pilot certificate is the certificate held by the majority of active pilots. It allows command of any aircraft (subject to appropriate ratings) for any non-commercial purpose, and gives almost unlimited authority to fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Passengers may be carried and flight in furtherance of a business is permitted; however, a private pilot may not be compensated in any way for services as a pilot, although passengers can pay a ''pro rata'' share of flight expenses, such as fuel or rental costs. Private pilots may also operate charity flights, subject to certain restrictions, and may participate in similar activities, such as Angel Flight . The requirements to obtain a private pilot certificate for "airplane, single-engine, land", or ASEL, (which is the most common certificate) are:
1. 5 hours of 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 and three hours of night flight, including 10 takeoffs and landings
Commercial 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 certificate itself does not allow a pilot to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions , although most commercial pilots also have an Instrument Rating . 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. The requirements are:
By itself, this certificate does not permit the pilot to set up an operation that carries members of the public for hire; such operations are governed by other regulations. Otherwise, a commercial pilot can be paid for certain types of operation, such as banner towing, agricultural applications, and photography, and can be paid for instructing if he holds a flight instructor certificate. To fly for hire, the pilot must hold a second class medical certificate, which is valid for one year. Often, the commercial certificate will reduce the pilot’s insurance premiums, as it is evidence of training to a higher safety standard. Airline transport pilot An airline transport pilot (commonly called an "ATP") is tested to the highest level of piloting ability. The certificate is a prerequisite for acting as a pilot-in-command in scheduled airline operations. The minimum pilot experience is 1500 hours of flight time; other requirements include being 23 years of age, being able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, and being "of good moral character." Number of active pilots As of 2004, there were 618,633 active pilots, according to the FAA. This number has been declining slowly over the long term, down from a high of over 827,000 pilots in 1980. The 2004 numbers include:
Source: Federal Aviation Administation ''Administrator's Fact Book'', August 2005 OTHER CERTIFICATES AND RATINGS
United States Military pilots are issued an Aviator Badge upon completion of flight training and issuance of a pilot's certificate. Badges for crew or ground positions are also issued to qualified applicants. MEDICAL CERTIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS All certified pilots, with the exception of those with a Sport Pilot Certificate or when in command of Balloons or Gliders , are required to maintain a medical certification commensurate with the privileges they intend to exercise as pilot-in-command of an aircraft. To obtain a medical certification, pilots are required to undergo a medical examination from an Aviation Medical Examiner , or AME. The Aviation Medical Examiner performs an examination based upon the class of certification desired. Medical certifications are divided into three classes: Third class Third class certifications require the least involved examinations of all medical certifications. They are required for those intending to be pilot-in-command of an aircraft under the Private or Recreational pilot certificates or while exercising solo privileges while a student pilot. To qualify for a third class medical certificate, pilots must meet the following requirements:
For pilots under 40 years of age, third class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, three years from the date of issue. For all others, they expire on the last day of the month they were issued, two years from the date of issue. Second class Second class certifications are required for those intending to be pilot-in-command on an aircraft under the Commercial pilot certificate. To qualify for a second class medical certificate, pilots must meet the requirements for the third class certificate plus:
Second class certificates are valid until the last day of the month, twelve months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a third class medical certificate. First class First class certificates are required for those intending to be pilot-in-command in an air carrier operation requiring an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. Such operations consist of Part 121 (Air Carrier) and Part 135 (Charter/On-Demand) flights. Other operations, including those under Part 91, may require a first class medical for insurance purposes, although it is not a federal requirement in such cases. To qualify for the first class medical certificate, pilots must meet the requirements for the third and second class certificates plus:
First class certificates are valid until the last day of the month, six months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a second class medical certificate. Special issuance Pilots who do not meet the above requirements may be issued a medical certificate under a "special issuance." A special issuance is essentially a waiver for a disqualifying condition and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the class of certificate requested. Minor problems can be overcome by a special issuance from an Aviation Medical Examiner , while others require a special issuance from the FAA directly. Restrictions Restrictions may be placed upon a medical certificate to mitigate any concern for safety. For instance, color-blind pilots are typically issued a restriction reading, "NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLIGHT OR BY COLOR SIGNAL CONTROL." This mitigates the concern that color-blind pilots may not be able to identify those colors required for the performance of safe airman duties by preventing situations that are considered potentially unsafe. In many cases, these restrictions can be removed through a "Certificate of Demonstrated Ability" (CODA), or a "Letter of Evidence" from the FAA indicating that the pilot's deficiency is of no concern. NON-PILOT CERTIFICATIONS
Pilots do not need FCC licenses to use the radio within the United States; however, other countries (such as Canada) may require that the pilot and/or the radio be licensed. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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