The NEAC
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General Aviation Training Information
OK, we have the feeling that you may be asking yourself a few different questions regarding all of the different types of pilot licenses and ratings that are available to you. So we've dedicated this page to answer some of those questions. The order that you can receive training and obtain different certificates can vary, but the following order that we present is by far the most common.
What is a pilot's license? The first thing we need to quickly touch upon here is the myth of calling a "pilot certificate" a "pilot license". While perhaps it is quite similar to that of a state issued drivers license, the federal government refers to your pilot license as a pilot certificate. Who knows why, but that's just how it's been played out. So from this point on, we will use the technical term of pilot certificate. To begin, after you have completed a specific amount of flight and ground training spelled out and required by The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), you can apply, through the FAA, for a "pilot certificate". The FAA is a branch of The United States Government that is responsible for governing the aviation industry. After your flight and ground training are completed, and you have applied for a pilot certificate, you will be required to take several tests that show your level of competence to the FAA. After the tests are successfully completed, The FAA will issue you a pilot certificate. This will authorize you to fly aircraft both in and outside of The United States. Keep in mind, that there are many different levels of pilot certificates available to the person who is looking for an exciting and enjoyable challenge. For example, There is a Recreational Pilot Certificate, a Private Pilot Certificate, an Instrument Rating, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, a Multi-Engine Rating, and an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate that are all available and require different types of training to achieve. Each one of these certificates and ratings, are a step up from one another, thus allowing you to exercise extended privileges. Though it may sound a bit complicated in the beginning, it really is nothing different from a regular state drivers license to a commercial drivers license.
What is the difference between these pilot certificates? As noted before, you have the option to receive training and obtain several different levels of a pilot certificate. Here we will break it all down for you so its easier to understand. Of course, once you get involved in an aviation training program, this will all seem very simple as it is explained to you in person. So lets begin!!
Recreational Certificate The Recreational Pilot Certificate (RPC) is fairly new to the market. Actually, in 1997, it didn't even exist! The FAA designed the Recreational Pilot Certificate to be just that....used as a recreation. This certificate was made for those that want to go up and fly a small plane around for a little while, in good weather, and perhaps take a friend with them. This certificate requires the least amount of training to obtain, but in return also comes with the most restrictions. For example, when you have a Recreational Pilot Certificate, you are required to remain within 50 miles of your "home base" airport, you can not fly at night, you can carry no more then one passenger, and you are not allowed to fly aircraft with more then four seats. The Recreational Certificate requires a minimum flight time experience of 30 hours. To sum it all up, this is a great certificate to train for, if all you want to do is get up into the air from time to time and experience the wonderful world of flying!! The next step up from the Recreational Pilot Certificate is The Private Pilot Certificate. Estimated cost for this specific course is : $3000.00 For more information on The Recreational pilot Certificate, click the link below.
Private Pilot Certificate The Private Pilot Certificate (PPC) is the most common certificate issued by The FAA. What this simply means, is that most people train for and then obtain a Private Certificate. The Private Certificate enables you to do everything that a recreational pilot can do but also eliminates all of those restrictions that were imposed by The FAA at the Recreational Pilot Certificate level. As a private pilot, you can fly as far as you want, you can fly at night, with as many passengers that the plane can carry and in any aircraft under 12,500 pounds. Most people do their training in a one engine "single-engine" aircraft, but you can do the training in a "multi-engine" aircraft if you wish. This is not recommended, as multi-engine planes are more difficult to fly and the learning process will be slower. The Recreational pilot certificate is NOT required to have in order to obtain a private certificate, but you can easily "add on" the Private Pilot Certificate if you decide to get a Recreational Certificate first. We highly recommend that you receive training for the private certificate, as it provides for a better all around aviation experience. The training for a PPC includes everything that a recreational pilot would get plus night and long distance flight training. Almost everybody that initially receives a Recreational Pilot Certificate, upgrade to the private level shortly afterwards. Regardless of what you decide on, both the basic Recreational Pilot Certificate and Private Pilot Certificate are restricted to operations during nice weather. In short, you can't fly in poor weather, such as clouds, with either of these certificates. Though you can receive additional training, called an Instrument Rating, that will enable you to fly in poor weather. Minimum flight time for a Private Pilot Certificate is 40 hours. Estimated cost for this specific course is $5500.00. Please check out the images below to see some single-engine aircraft you can and will fly as a private pilot!
NOTE: For those interested in a professional career in the aviation industry as a pilot, the Private Pilot Certificate is a must and is also the first level of your training.
Instrument Rating The Instrument Rating (IR) is a step up "add on" to your Private Pilot Certificate. The PPC is also a prerequisite to the Instrument Rating, so you must have that certificate first. The Recreational Certificate does not meet the prerequisite requirements for an Instrument Rating; yet another reason why we highly recommend the private over the recreational. The Instrument Rating is a crucial part of the overall aviation experience. When you train and then earn an instrument rating, you will be authorized to fly in all types of poor weather conditions such as rain, clouds, fog and so on. This rating gives you the ability to fly practically at any time, while without it, you will be restricted to good weather. The training is a little more intense and an excellent learning experience. You get to fly in numerous types of weather conditions both during the day and night to provide for the best understanding of aviation. The Instrument Rating is recommended for those who wish to fly whenever they want and not only in good weather. It is also the second training step and a MUST for those perusing a professional career as a pilot. You will be required to have a total of 125 hours before you can get your instrument rating. Estimated cost for this specific course is $5,500.00 to $7,500.00.
The Commercial Certificate The Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPC), is actually a step up from the Private Pilot Certificate. In this course, you begin training to become a "professional pilot". A person with a Private Pilot Certificate can NOT fly for ANY compensation. In short, a private pilot can not get paid to fly. Well that all ends right here! When you complete the training for commercial certificate, and then pass the tests administered by the FAA, you will no longer be called a Private Pilot with an Instrument Rating. Your new classification will be Commercial Pilot with an Instrument Rating. So now, it's official, you can go out and start applying for your first flying job!!! The Commercial course is fairly short in duration, since its main objective is to fine tune most of the basic flying skills that you have already learned by this point. There are some new flight maneuvers taught in this phase of the training, in addition to flying airplanes that are faster and a little more complicated. Keep in mind one big misconception here though. A Commercial Pilot Certificate doesn't mean you can go out and fly an airliner! What it does mean is one basic thing, you can now fly these smaller planes for money. To fly jets for a living there is additional training that will be necessary such as a multi-engine rating. That's alright though, if you want, you can still tell your friends that you fly jets...they wont know the difference. To get a Commercial Pilot Certificate, you will need a total logged time of 250 hours. Estimated cost for the Commercial Course is $2000.00 to $3,500.00, but can be higher depending on the amount of flight time you have logged.
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Cessna 421
Common Multi-engine aircraft used in charter operations
The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP), commonly known as the doctorial degree of aviation, is the final large step, in regards to training, that a professional pilot will need to embark upon.
MORE TO COME PLEASE CHECK BACK SOON!!!
