Pilot
Ratings
Initially pilots are required to obtain a
student pilot certificate prior to their first solo flight in an aircraft. This
certificate is part of a class III physical obtained from a designated medical
examiner authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to provide flight
physicals. The student pilot must attest to his general health, use of various
drugs and alcohol, existing heart problems, diabetes, and mental health. The
medical examiner will examine the applicant for the student pilot, class III
certificate and will issue that certificate provided that the applicant has no
existing conditions precluding the issuance of the certificate.
The class III medical certificate is valid
for a period of two calendar years and must be renewed in order for the pilot
to continue exercising his privileges under a student or private pilot
certificate.
The next rating that can be obtained is
the private pilot certificate. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 61 outlines the
necessary aeronautical experience and knowledge required to obtain a private
pilot certificate. Generally the student pilot must log a specified amount of
time in an aircraft with a certified flight instructor. The student must log a
specified amount of solo time in the aircraft, must perform both dual and solo
cross country flights, must become proficient in emergency procedures, must
demonstrate through a written test the required aeronautical knowledge for a
private certificate, and finally must demonstrate to a flight examiner the
required maneuvers applicable for the private pilot certificate. A student
pilot cannot carry passengers except for a certified flight instructor or
flight examiner.
A private pilot cannot charge for his time
as pilot in command of an aircraft; he may however share the expenses of a
flight with his passengers. Private pilots may fly during the day or night
(providing the pilot has received at least three hours of night instruction)
and in weather conditions allowing flight in visual conditions (not in clouds).
The private pilot may upgrade his certificate to allow flight in clouds
(instrument meteorological conditions) with the addition of an instrument
rating by receiving forty hours of dual flight instruction with an instrument flight
instructor. The private pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft in the
furtherance of his or her business.
Private pilots with over 200 hours of experience may act as aircraft
salespersons and demonstrate aircraft to customers.
In order to earn money for acting as pilot
in command of an aircraft requires a commercial rating. The commercial rating requires that a
pilot have additional hours as pilot in command of aircraft, additional
instruction in more complex maneuvers, and instruction in high performance
aircraft. However, a commercial
pilot rating only allows the pilot to perform limited services. He or she may act as pilot in command of
an aircraft for a corporation or company as the company pilot, may tow banners,
perform aerial photography for hire, and may fly in application of agricultural
pesticides and chemicals.
The flight instructor certificate is
another way for commercial pilots to earn a living and accumulate experience.
The commercial pilot with a flight instructor rating may provide instruction
towards the private pilot certificate, the commercial pilot certificate, and
with sufficient experience, towards the flight instructor certificate. Additional testing and experience is required
to instruct towards an instrument rating or in multi engine aircraft.
The highest rating a pilot can obtain is
the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This can be considered the PHD
of pilot certificates and is usually required to act as pilot in command of a
scheduled airliner.
Commercial pilots and ATP rated pilots are
required to hold more restrictive medical certificates than are required for
private pilot operations. The commercial pilot must hold a Class II medical
certificate that must be renewed every year and the ATP rated pilot must hold a
Class I certificate renewable every six months. If a medical certificate goes
out of date the pilot may still fly, however he may only exercise the
privileges of the next lower pilot certificate. This means that if a commercial
pilot has received a Class II medical certificate over a year ago he or she may
still act as pilot in command of an aircraft as a private pilot.
Additional ratings are required to operate
multi-engine aircraft, seaplanes equipped to operate on the water, and to
operate in instrument meteorological conditions. Type ratings are required to
operate aircraft over 12,500 pounds and to operate jet powered aircraft.
Separate ratings are required to operate gliders (sailplanes), airships (blimps),
and lighter than air aircraft (hot air balloons).