US
Pilot certificates in the United States
The regulator is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The United States commonly uses the term pilot certificate rather than pilot licence.
Pilot certificates
| Certificate | Minimum age | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Student Pilot SPL | 16 for aeroplanes; 14 for gliders | Initial training and authorised solo flying. |
| Recreational Pilot RPL | 17 | Limited recreational flying. |
| Private Pilot PPL | 17 for aeroplanes | Private flying, subject to certificate limitations. |
| Commercial Pilot CPL | 18 | Specified professional flying for compensation or hire. |
| Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) ATPL | Generally 23 for an unrestricted ATP | Higher-level qualification for airline and other applicable air transport operations. |
Requirements differ by aircraft category and certificate type. The FAA explains the principal certificate distinctions in its official guidance.
Other certificates
- Sport PilotLimited recreational flying under sport-pilot rules. Minimum age: 17 for powered aircraft.
Examinations
A typical pathway involves:
- Required ground instruction and aeronautical knowledge preparation.
- A written knowledge test.
- Flight instruction and the required experience.
- A practical test, often called the checkride.
- Additional qualifications, such as an instrument rating or aircraft type rating, where required.
The FAA states that the standard aeroplane commercial pilot certificate generally requires 250 hours of flight time, although specific routes and circumstances can differ. Airlines may require considerably more experience than the regulatory minimum.
Medical requirements
The required medical certification depends on the certificate and intended operations. Airline and commercial flying can have different medical requirements from private or recreational flying.
Fees
The total cost may include the knowledge test, examiner’s practical-test fee, medical examination and flight-school expenses. These should be assessed separately rather than treated as one FAA licence fee.
Fly under FAA rules
Tell us the licence you’re aiming for in the United States and where you’re starting from. We’ll help you plan the route.