How old do I have to be to get a recreational pilot’s certificate or a private pilot’s certificate?
What tests do I have to pass to get a recreational pilot’s certificate or private pilot’s certificate?
When do I need a medical certificate?
If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
Where do I get my medical certificate?
Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners?
When required, what class of medical certificate must a student pilot have?
If I have a physical disability, can I get a medical certificate?
Must I carry my medical certificate when I am flying solo?
Is it hard to learn to fly?
When can I start?
How many lessons do I have to take before I solo?
Is flying safe?
If engine failure occurs, what will happen?
How old do I have to be to take the recreational pilot or private pilot written test?
How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
What document or documents must I present before taking a knowledge test?
If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas in which I need additional work so I can study for a retest?
If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information concerning weak areas as I would if I failed the test?
How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?
Will my instructor review the areas in which the test report showed I was deficient?
Must I provide the aircraft for my practical test?
What papers and documents must I present to the FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner prior to my practical test?
What does the practical test consist of, and how will my performance be evaluated?
When can I take the recreational pilot or private pilot practical test?
Where can I take the practical test?
Is there any charge for taking the practical test?
May I exercise the privileges of my pilot’s certificate immediately after passing my practical test or must I wait until I receive the actual pilot’s certificate?
Is there a charge for issuing the pilot’s certificate?

Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot Certificates

How old do I have to be to get a recreational pilot’s certificate or a private pilot’s certificate?
You must be at least 17 years old. If you want to be a private glider pilot or be rated for free flight in a balloon, you must be at least 16 years old.

What tests do I have to pass to get a recreational pilot’s certificate or private pilot’s certificate?
You have to pass both a written knowledge test and a practical (flight) test.

Medical Certificate Requirements

When do I need a medical certificate?
You need a medical certificate before flying solo in an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. We suggest you get your medical certificate before beginning flight training. This will alert you to any condition that would prevent you from becoming a pilot before you pay for lessons.

If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.

Where do I get my medical certificate?
From any FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner. There are approximately 6,000 of them in the U.S.

Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners?
The FAA publishes a directory that lists them by name and address. You can get a copy from any FAA Flight Standards District Office, air traffic control facility, or flight service station. Airport managers and some aviation businesses may also be able to supply this information.

When required, what class of medical certificate must a student pilot have?
Third-class, although any class will suffice. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally, first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; second-class for the commercial pilot; and third-class for the student, recreational and private pilot.

If I have a physical disability, can I get a medical certificate?
Yes. Medical certificates can be issued in many cases where physical disabilities are involved. Depending on the nature of the disability, you may have some operating limitations. If you have any questions, contact an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner before beginning flight training.

Must I carry my medical certificate when I am flying solo?
Yes.

Become a Pilot Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to learn to fly?
No. People of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities have learned to fly. It’s fun, and from the beginning of your training, you get to do most of the actual flying! On the practical side - While flying isn’t a difficult skill to learn, you’ll have to be willing to stick with it until you meet all the requirements. Also, you should consider the cost of becoming a pilot - you’ll have to pay for your physical exam and your lessons.

When can I start?
Right away. All you have to do is find a flight instructor and sign up for an introductory lesson. You don’t have to have a student pilot’s certificate or a medical certificate to take flying lessons. Of course, you won’t be able to fly solo right away. That takes time and the paperwork described in this guide.

How many lessons do I have to take before I solo?
It depends on you. There is no set number of lessons or hours of flight training. Your instructor must make sure you have learned to perform certain maneuvers before allowing you to solo. These maneuvers include safe takeoffs and landings. You must use good judgment when flying and be able to keep control of the aircraft.

If engine failure occurs, what will happen?
Modern aircraft engines are reliable and failure rarely occurs. However, your lessons will cover what to do in this situation, including selecting a good landing area and safely landing.

Is flying safe?
Yes. A well-built and well-maintained aircraft flown by a competent and prudent pilot is as safe or safer than many other forms of transportation.

Recreational Pilot And Private Pilot Knowledge Tests

How old do I have to be to take the recreational pilot or private pilot written test?
At least 15 years old. If you want to pilot a balloon or glider, you must be at least 14 years old. Before taking the knowledge test, you may have to show proof of age, such as a birth certificate.

How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
You should study the materials identified by your flight instructor or included in a home-study course. For the recreational pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.97 of the FAA’s rules. For the private pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.105 of the FAA’s rules.

What document or documents must I present before taking a knowledge test?
You have to present identification that includes your photograph, signature, and home address. any one of the following:

• A certificate of graduation from a pilot training course conducted by an FAA-approved pilot school, or a statement of accomplishment from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground-school portion of such a course
• A written statement from an FAA-certified ground or flight instructor, certifying that you have satisfactorily completed the required ground instruction
• Logbook entries by an FAA- certified ground or flight instructor, certifying satisfactory completion of the required ground instruction
• A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground school course conducted by an agency such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or an ROTC Flight Training Program
• A certificate of graduation from a home-study course developed by the aeronautical enterprise providing the study material

If you can’t provide any of the above items, you can have the home-study course you have completed reviewed by an FAA inspector to assure you are competent to take the desired knowledge test. Contact the local FAA Flight Standards District Office to get an appointment with an FAA inspector. The inspector will review your study material and may question you on some of the material. If you are found qualified to take the test, the inspector will issue FAA Form 8060-7, Airman's Authorization for Written Test. You must present this form when you take your knowledge examination.

If you have to take the test over again, you must present either the unsatisfactory AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA- designated computer testing center).

If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas in which I need additional work so I can study for a retest?
Yes. You will receive either AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center). The test report will contain your test score and will also list the subject matter codes for the knowledge areas in which you were found deficient. An outline of the subject matter codes is located in the appendix of each written test book. You may refer to the appropriate written test book to determine the areas in which further study is needed.

If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information concerning weak areas as I would if I failed the test?
Yes. (Refer to the previous answer).

How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?
A satisfactorily completed knowledge test expires two years from the day it was taken. If a practical test is not satisfactorily completed during that period, another knowledge test must be taken.

Will my instructor review the areas in which the test report showed I was deficient?
Yes. Your instructor must review the areas in which you were deficient and must endorse the written test report or provide a written endorsement indicating this review has been completed.

Recreational Pilot And Private Pilot Practical Tests

Must I provide the aircraft for my practical test?
Yes. You must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to the pilot operations required for the practical test.

What papers and documents must I present to the FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner prior to my practical test?
You must have the following items available for inspection:

• The aircraft's registration certificate
• The aircraft's airworthiness certificate
• The aircraft's operating limitations or FAA- approved aircraft flight manual (if required)
• The aircraft’s equipment list
• Weight and balance data for the aircraft
• Your FCC radio station certificate
• The aircraft and engine logbooks or other maintenance records AND
• Any applicable airworthiness directives

You must present the following items to the inspector:

• Your FAA Form 8710-1, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, (with the flight instructor's recommendation)
• Your satisfactory grade on an AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center)
• Your medical certificate (when required) and student pilot’s certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (when appropriate), and for the make and model of airplane to be used for the practical test
• Your pilot’s logbook
• Your graduation certificate from an FAA-approved school (if applicable)  

What does the practical test consist of, and how will my performance be evaluated?
The test standards are described in the Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. Your instructor should have a copy of the practical test standards and should review them with you prior to your practical test. If your instructor doesn’t have them, you can buy them from the Superintendent of Documents or US Government Printing Office bookstores.

When can I take the recreational pilot or private pilot practical test?
You can take the test as soon as, in your instructor’s judgment, you are ready. By endorsing your test application, your flight instructor is making a written recommendation to this effect. Your flight instructor's written recommendation shows that you have met all the prerequisites for the practical test.

Where can I take the practical test?
The FAA Flight Standards District Offices conduct practical tests for pilot certification either at the office’s location or periodically in cities within the district. The offices are usually located on or adjacent to an airport. The FAA has also designated many flight instructors as pilot examiners. You should make an appointment for your practical test to avoid wasted time.

Is there any charge for taking the practical test?
If you take the test from an FAA inspector, there is no charge. If you take the test from an FAA-designated pilot examiner, you will have to pay. This is because the pilot examiner conducts tests without pay from the FAA.

May I exercise the privileges of my pilot’s certificate immediately after passing my practical test or must I wait until I receive the actual pilot’s certificate?
You don’t have to wait. The FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner will issue a temporary pilot’s certificate effective for a specific time period. The FAA will issue your permanent pilot’s certificate after we have reviewed your qualifications.

Is there a charge for issuing the pilot’s certificate?
No. We don’t charge for issuing the original pilot’s certificate. However, we do charge to replace any pilot’s certificate or medical certificate. As noted already, you may have to pay for certain other services, such as a physical examination.

For further information visit FAA web site and relative Federal Aviation Regulations at Part 141