How to become a pilot in the USA

Requirements and qualifications

Ready to become a pilot? The Federal Aviation Administration has established qualifying standards to get you on your way to fulfilling your dreams, and in today, it's all straightforward. This article outlines everything you need to know for a successful piloting career.

How to apply

Mid flight in an Acron Aviation Academy looking out the left window

Minimum age and language requirements

Meeting the minimum age to be a pilot is your first step towards flying:

Student Pilot: 16 years old
Private Pilot License (PPL): 17 years old
Commercial Pilot License (CPL): 18 years old
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): 23 years old

Additionally, pilots must demonstrate English-language proficiency at ICAO Level 4 or above. This ensures clear communication in international and domestic airspaces, promoting safety and effective coordination.

The FAA pilot age requirements and English-language proficiency are strictly enforced to maintain high safety standards in aviation.

Educational and medical prerequisites

Although the FAA does not explicitly require an academic background for piloting, a high school GED is often required for admission to begin flight training.

FAA medical certificates must be held by all candidates. FAA medical certificates can be First Class, Second Class or Third Class. As a studen, you will need a Third Class certificate, but if you plan to work for the airlines, you will ultimately require a First Class certificate.

To obtain a certificate:

Find an Approved Medical Examiner here.
Complete the initial part of the application online here.
Make an appointment and pass the medical exam.

Flight-time & training requirements (Part 61 vs Part 141)

The FAA stipulates minimum flight hour requirements through Parts 61 and 141:

Private Pilot License (Part 61) (PPL): Minimum requirement for a Private Pilot License is 40 hours, which include:
- 20 dual hours with an FAA certified Instructor
- 10 solo hours in filght
- 3 dual hours of cross-country flight
- 3 dual hours of night flying
- 3 dual hours of instrument flight time
However, under Part 141, a Private Pilot License requires a minimum of 35 hours to earn their license.
While a Part 61 program will require at least 250 hours to obtain a Commercial Pilot License, a Part 141 program allows students to earn this credential in under 150 hours. As a Part 141 school, Acron Aviation Academy follows a syllabus approved by the FAA to get students their licenses faster, and more economically.
An Airline Transport Pilot License requires applicants to take the ATP written exam before accruing 1,500 hours of flight time.

Whether you go with Part 61 or Part 141 depends on your personal circumstances, style of learning, and desired future employment. These qualifying requirements ensure that pilots on all levels know how to best maneuver their vehicles in the air.

Acron Aviation Academy students walking through a corridor

Qualification ladder: From student pilot to ATP

Here are the levels of certification you'll achieve at Acron Aviation Academy’s pilot training programs on your way from Student Pilot to Airline Transport Pilot:

Student Pilot Certificate: The gateway into your flying future.
Private Pilot License: Fly for pleasure - your first major certification in the field.
Instrument Rating: This is a crucial prerequisite for any pilot to fly solely by using instruments.
Commercial Pilot License: The certification that allows you to fly professionally and earn money.
Multi-Engine Rating: Necessary for flying complex aircraft utilized by commercial airlines.
Certified Flight Instructor: A great way to get hours in the air while garnering teaching experience.
Airline Transport Pilot: Required certification to be a first officer or captain for a commercial airline.

Join us now and discover why Acron Aviation Academy is the ultimate destination for a pathway to your dream career in aviation as a trained professional pilot.

A shot from behind an Acron Aviation Academy Flight Training Device

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