Becoming a pilot is a process that is rewarding and challenging. Most pilots begin the process seeking a private pilot's certificate under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, which can then be added on to for advanced certificates and privileges. Becoming a pilot requires aeronautical knowledge, flight experience and testing, in addition to passing a medical examination. Once completed, a pilot is one for life.
Pilot candidates must develop knowledge in a variety of areas relative to flight and flight planning. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 61.105 covers the topics you should know, such as the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, use of aeronautical charts and planning aids, sources of aeronautical information, radio communications procedures, weather and weather chart information, aircraft systems and performance considerations, airspace and pilot weather requirements, and flight dynamics. Typically, you learn everything through ground schools, coursework, self-study with various study aids such as DVDs, books and direct help from your instructor. You are tested on your knowledge of these topics with both a written test and in a final practical test.
You must meet specific aeronautical experience requirements to become a pilot, and you must meet them prior to taking the final practical test for a private pilot's certificate. Federal Aviation Regulation section 61.109 outlines the requirements: You must earn at least 40 total hours of flight time. Twenty hours of this must be with a certificated flight instructor. Ten hours must be solo flights. Also included in the total hours are hours spent on specific cross-country flights, night flights, flights by reference to instruments, flights at controlled airports and review for the final practical test. Most of this experience is with or under the supervision of a certificated flight instructor in an aircraft.
Prior to certification, a pilot candidate must pass a written knowledge test and a practical ground and flight test. You can take the written knowledge test at computer testing centers, and you must it prior to taking the practical ground and flight test. You must score greater than 70 percent on the test to continue.
After you pass the written knowledge test, and after you have accomplished all of the aeronautical experience requirements, you can take a practical test, either with an FAA staff member or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. This test includes a session of ground questioning over aeronautical knowledge areas, flight planning and aircraft systems, and is followed by an in-flight test where you must demonstrate proficiency in a series of maneuvers. The requirements of this test are detailed in the FAA's practical test standards for the private pilot.
Pilots are required to pass a medical examination with an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner. A private pilot must pass at least third-class medical requirements, and various levels of commercial pilots must pass either second- or first-class medical examinations.
