Pilot Certification
A pilot license is a certification that allows an individual to operate an aircraft. The requirements for obtaining a pilot license vary depending on the type of license and the country in which it issued. However, most pilot licenses require a minimum age of 17 or 18, a number of flight hours, passing a medical exam, and passing a written and practical exam.
*Lake City Aviators Operates under 14 CFR Part 61*
Private Pilot
To become a private pilot, you must meet the following requirements according to FAR 61.109:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Be able read, speak, write, and understand English
- Hold at least a third-class medical certificate
- Receive and log training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course
- Pass a knowledge test with a score of at least 70%
- Receive and log flight from an authorized instructor
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements, which include:
- At least 40 hours of flight time, including:
- At least 20 hours of flight training an authorized instructor
- At least 10 hours of solo flight time, including:
- At least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time
- One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations
- Three hours of night flight training, including:
- One cross-country flight of at least 100 nautical miles total distance
- 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop
- Three hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the test
- Pass a practical test with an FAA examiner or authorized check instructor
*Note that these are the minimum requirements, and additional training may be necessary to meet proficiency standards.*
Instrument Rating
The requirements for a pilot instrument rating and the hours required under FAR 61.65:
- Hold at least a private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Log at 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in, of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes an instrument-airplane rating
- Log at least 40 hours of actual or simulated time, of which at least 15 hours must be received from an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating
- Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in FAR 61.65(b)
- Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in FAR 61.65(d)
*Note that these are the minimum requirements, and additional training may be necessary to meet proficiency standards.*
Commercial Pilot
In order to meet the requirements for a commercial pilot under FAR 61.129:
-minimum of 250 hours of flight time
-100 hours of pilot-in-command time
-50 hours of cross-country flight time
-20 hours of training with an authorized instructor
-Passing a practical test is mandatory.
*Note that these are the minimum requirements, and additional training may be necessary to meet proficiency standards.*
Multi-Engine Add On
To obtain a multi-engine add-on license under FAR 61.129, must have a private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for one. You must also complete a minimum of 15 hours of flight in a multi-engine airplane. Additionally, you must pass a practical test with an FAA examiner.
*Note that these are the minimum requirements, and additional training may be necessary to meet proficiency standards.*
