UNDERSTANDING THE TYPES OF PILOT CERTIFICATIONS

 

Are you interested in becoming a certified pilot? Do you know which pilot certification you’d like to work towards? There are a range of different pilot certifications, each with slightly different requirements and responsibilities involved. In this article, our team at Monmouth Jet Center will outline the different types of pilot certifications, as well as the steps necessary to obtain each one. If you have any questions we’ll be happy to help. 

What Are The Different Types of Pilot Licenses?

Student: You must be at least 16 years old to qualify, and have an approved third class medical exam in order to practice flight training. You will have both a written exam as well as a flight test, after you have logged at least 40 hours of flight time, 20 accompanied hours and at least 10 hours of unaccompanied flights, with various distance requirements.

Sport  pilot: This is a limited license, you are regulated to specific aircrafts that are classified as light sport aircraft (LSA). You can only fly with one passenger, and are limited on the distance flown from your departure point. You cannot fly at night or into any controlled airports. This license does not require you to meet a recurring medical certification, as long as you have a current driver’s license. 

Private pilot certificate: “The driver’s license of the sky”

People who want to fly their own, or rent aircraft often obtain this certification. For some, it is the first step to becoming a commercial pilot. With this license you can fly with more than one passenger, and you’re not limited by distance or controlled air space. It is a common certification for people who want to fly their families and friends to fun weekend destinations. Note, that you are not allowed to fly for hire, without completing your commercial pilot certification. 

Commercial pilot certificate: If you’ve dreamed of having a career as a commercial pilot, this is the certification you’ll need. Once this certification is obtained, you can officially be hired and paid to fly passengers. You’ll need to have at least a second class medical license, be at least 18 years old, and log 1500 flight hours. Most commercial pilots also get an IFR (Instrument Flight Rule) rating, which allows them to fly when it’s necessary to rely on aircraft instruments because you don’t have a clear sight path like you do in VFR, which stands for Visual Flight Rules. 

Airline transport pilot license (ATP): Airlines require you to hold this certification to fly with them. You must also hold a first class medical to qualify. On average, it takes about two years to obtain this license because you’ll need to log at least 250 hours of pilot in command flight hours.

What Are The Steps to Acquire a Basic Pilot Certificate?

When we say “basic” pilot license we are referring to a private pilot certificate, which is the most commonly issued pilot certification by the FAA. In order to acquire a basic pilot certificate, you must:

• Be able to fluently speak, read, and write the English language
• Pass a third class medical exam 

• Pass a written test
• Log a minimum of 40 hours of varied flight time
• Pass the FAA check-ride

What Are The Steps To Acquire The Next Level of Pilot’s Certificate?

Once you’ve obtained your private pilot certificate and you’re ready for the next step, you can begin working towards acquiring your commercial pilot certificate. For this certification, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Learn several advanced flying maneuvers
• Pass several exams
• Log 1500 flight hours
• Obtain a second class medical certificate

If you’d like more information about the various types of pilot certifications, or if you’re interested in signing up for our flight school, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and we look forward to hearing from you.

This blog was originally published at https://monmouthjetcenter.com/understanding-types-of-pilot-certifications/ 

ARE YOU PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED TO FLY AN AIRPLANE?

Being a pilot is a huge responsibility because peoples’ lives depend on you being able to do your job. Pilots undergo a great deal of training and must have mental acuity, but did you also know they must be physically qualified to fly? You may not think that being a pilot is a physically demanding job, however there are requirements that individuals must meet in order to be authorized to fly. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the physical requirements one must meet to become a pilot, what the physical exam consists of, and the overall importance of staying healthy. If you have any questions please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center.

Health Requirements To Become a Pilot

Vision and eyesight requirements: Understandably, pilots must have close to perfect vision, with or without correction. The exact requirements vary depending on which Medical certificate you need. A first class medical needs 20/20 distant vision, and 20/40 for near vision. A third class medical can get by with 20/40 distant vision.  Color Blindness can disqualify you from being a pilot as it makes you unable to correctly identify essential controls, lights, and buttons.

Hearing requirements: Pilots must have good hearing to hear and communicate via radio with other pilots and towered airports. This is crucial for landing instructions, and hearing other pilots announcements that are in your immediate location. To pass the hearing portion of the medical exam you need to be able to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room from six feet away. As far as audiology you need to score at least 70% in one ear at an intensity no greater than 65 dB.

Mental and Physical Health: You must be deemed mentally capable and healthy to become a pilot by a trained aviation medical examiner. Any diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar or personality disorders will fail the mental examination. An FAA examiner must deny anyone with Coronary heart disease, cardiac valve replacement, heart replacement, epilepsy, amongst many other medical conditions for safety reasons. 

Doctor Physical To Get Approved To Fly 

Aspiring pilots must have a physical conducted by an FAA-approved physician. You can’t simply go to your primary care provider for a pilot physical, you must choose one that is authorized by the FAA to administer a pilot’s medical exam. Here’s what you can expect during the exam:

• Full body exam
• Check your height and weight
• Check your blood pressure and pulse
• Check your vision and hearing
• Review past or ongoing medical conditions 
• A mental and neurological exam
• Urine test 

The Importance of Being Healthy

Physical, mental, and emotional health are all extremely important for pilots and aspiring pilots. Being healthy is a required and necessary part of the job. Flying a plane comes with an immense responsibility, not just for yourself and everyone on board but also for other pilots in the sky, as well as civilians on the ground. 

If you’d like more information about the physical requirements for pilots, or if you have any flight questions, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

This blog was originally published at https://monmouthjetcenter.com/are-you-physically-qualified-to-fly/