Pilot Licenses and Ratings
Tutorial

This is a clear description of Airplane Pilot Licenses - what they are and how to get them. Actually they're called Pilot Certificates. A license grants a permission, whereas a certificate shows that one has fulfilled certain requirements.

Use the interactive rating computer below to see what your FAA pilot certificate would look like if you had different ratings. You can also proceed directly to [ Training | Tools ]

Pilot Certificates issued by the FAA have the following characteristics:

• Grade - determines the kinds of flying a pilot can do
  • Student Pilot - local solo training flights without passengers
  • Recreational Pilot - local uncontrolled day flights 1 passenger
  • Private Pilot - flights worldwide with passengers, non-profit
  • Commercial Pilot - paid flying allowed, can be airline copilot
  • Airline Transport Pilot - paid flights, can be airline captain
• Ratings - what aircraft a pilot can fly and how - VFR or IFR
  • Category - Airplane, Glider, Rotorcraft, Lighter Than Air...
  • Class - eg Airplane Single or Multi Engine Land/Sea
  • Type - needed for each turbojet or heavier than 12,500 lbs
  • Instrument - separate for each Class and Type Rating
• Limitations - what operations are prohibited

The Certificate Grade is the hardest one to change. In order to get a new Grade Certificate you need to meet all the training and experience requirements for that certificate. The process is called upgrading and requires you to have to have the certificate with a lower grade. Student Pilots and Recreational Pilots can upgrade to Private Pilot. Only Private Pilots can upgrade to Commercial Pilot. Finally only Commercial Pilots can upgrade to Airline Transport Pilot. You are always required to take a knowledge test and a practical test in order to upgrade.

Adding Ratings within the same aircraft category is significantly easier. Except for the initial instrument rating, there are no knowledge tests or extra aeronautical experience requirements. An instructor endorsement and a practical test is all it takes, and yes - there is some textbook study for the practical test.