Commercial Pilots
Special Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Airplane Pilots must have a FAA License. In addition there are several rating scales or levels that a pilot must go through to obtain an Airline Transport Rating (ATP). These levels require individuals to log a certain number of flight hours and to pass a written and flight exam.
Requirements to take flying lessons and receive a Student Pilot’s certificate:
The Student Pilot’s Certificate gives someone a license to fly alone.
· To take flying lessons to become a pilot, you must be 16 years old. If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you must be at least 14 years old.
· You can read, speak, and understand English
· Take lessons from a flight instructor.
· Special licenses are not required to take flying lessons.
· Learn to perform certain maneuvers including safe takeoffs and landings
· Use good judgment when flying and be able to keep control of the aircraft.
· Be familiar with some of the FAA’s rules and with the flight characteristics and operational limits of the make and model of the aircraft you will fly.
· Pass an exam to demonstrate your knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, and flight skills. This exam is given by the flight instructor.
· Obtain a medical certificate by passing a medical exam from an FAA designated physician. A list of aviation medical examiners can be found at http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov/
Commercial Pilots must meet all of the requirements listed above for a Student Pilot’s Certificate in addition to :
· Be at least 18 years of age
· Hold a private pilot certificate
· Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
· Accumulate and log a specified amount of training and experience; the following are part of the airplane single-engine land class rating requirements:
o If training under Part 61, at least 250 hours of piloting time including 20 hours of training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including several "cross-country" flights, i.e. more than 50 nautical miles (93 km) from the departure airport and both solo and instructor-accompanied night flights
o If training under Part 141, at least 190 hours of training time including 55 hours with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, and other requirements including several cross-country, solo, and night flights
· Pass a 100-question aeronautical knowledge test
· Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor (Part 141 only)
· By itself, this certificate does not permit the pilot to set up an operation that carries members of the public for hire; such operations are governed by other regulations. Otherwise, a commercial pilot can be paid for certain types of operation, such as banner towing, agricultural applications, and photography, and can be paid for instructing if he holds a flight instructor certificate. To fly for hire, the pilot must hold a second class medical certificate, which is valid for two years.
· Often, the commercial certificate will reduce the pilot’s insurance premiums, as it is evidence of training to a higher safety standard.
Educational Requirements:
Most pilots traditionally have learned to fly in the military, but growing numbers have college degrees with flight training from civilian flying schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Physical Requirements:
Applicants must pass a strict physical examination to make sure that they are in good health and have 20/20 vision with or without glasses, good hearing, and no physical handicaps that could impair their performance.
Testing:
A written test must be passed that includes questions on the principles of safe flight, navigation techniques, and FAA regulations, and must demonstrate their flying ability to FAA or designated examiners.
To fly during periods of low visibility, pilots must be rated by the FAA to fly by instruments. Pilots may qualify for this rating by having 105 hours of flight experience, including 40 hours of experience in flying by instruments; they also must pass a written examination on procedures and FAA regulations covering instrument flying and demonstrate to an examiner their ability to fly by instruments.
- Additional Requirements for Airline pilots
1. Pilots must have an airline transport pilot’s license.
2. Applicants for this license must be at least 23 years old and have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience, including night and instrument flying, and;
3. Must pass FAA written and flight examinations.
Usually, they also have one or more advanced ratings, such as multiengine aircraft or aircraft - type ratings, dependent upon the requirements of their particular flying jobs. Because pilots must be able to make quick decisions and accurate judgments under pressure, many airline companies reject applicants who do not pass required psychological and aptitude tests. All licenses are valid as long as a pilot can pass the periodic physical and eye examinations and tests of flying skills required by Federal Government and company regulations.
TRAINING:
Initial training for airline pilots includes:
1. A week of company indoctrination,
2. 3 to 6 weeks of ground school and simulator training,
3. 25 hours of initial operating experience, including a check - ride with an FAA aviation safety inspector.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Once trained and on the line, pilots are required to attend recurrent training and simulator checks twice a year throughout their career.
Organizations other than airlines usually require less flying experience. However, a commercial pilot’s license is a minimum requirement, and employers prefer applicants who have experience in the type of craft they will be flying. New employees usually start as first officers, or fly less sophisticated equipment. Test pilots often are required to have an engineering degree.
Required Fees:
The cost of flying lessons depends on the type of aircraft flown and the cost of the flight instructor. For example, a Cessna 172, a basic 4-seat airplane ideal for training, typically rents for about $100 per hour, and a flight instructor is about $45 per hour. Larger or more complex airplanes or helicopters would cost more. Of course, costs vary between schools, and some may also offer package deals.
There is no charge for the student pilot’s certificate when it is issued by an FAA Flight Standards District Office. However, an FAA-designated pilot examiner can charge for issuing student pilot’s certificates. Also, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner can charge for your physical examination in connection with issuing the combination medical certificate and student pilot’s certificate.
For More Information, Contact:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
800 Independence Ave.
Washington, DC 20591
Phone: 202.366.4000
http://www.faa.gov/
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
