The very first step is to decide what you want to fly. FAA's rules for getting a pilot's license (certificate) differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly. You can choose among airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or airships. If you are interested in flying ultralight vehicles, you don't need a pilot's license.

You should also think about what type of flying you want to do. There are several different types of pilot's licenses, from student pilot all the way up to airline transport pilot certificate.

You are eligible if:

You are at least 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

You must complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1 and submit it to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor. The authorized individual will process your application and submit the required documents to the Airmen Certification Branch. Once reviewed by Airman Certification Branch, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application.

Before you can fly solo. You don't need a student pilot certificate to take flying lessons.

How long will it be before I receive my student pilot certificate by mail?

In approximately three weeks. Utilizing the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) will minimize this time.

Learning to fly can be one of life’s most rewarding adventures. The freedom of moving in three dimensions is not only fun but can lead to interesting career and travel opportunities. To take advantage of aviation’s rewards, you must make sure you get the good, solid information and aviation training that you’ll need to be a safe, confident pilot in the air. One of the most important steps in that process is finding the right flight school.

Without any aviation experience on which to base your decision, selecting a good flight school can be a formidable task. Aviation is procedural and not well suited to impatience. Whether you’re flying an airplane or picking a school, making rash, hurried decisions can have negative consequences. Checklists are an aviation mainstay that ensure all procedures are accomplished and, therefore, make for safe flights. This same procedure can be applied to selecting a good flight school.

FAA Part-61 Flight Schools (also known as Non-Approved Flight Schools):

FAA part-61 flight schools are not governed as much by the FAA as are part-141 flight school. Part-61 flight schools still offer the same type of training but they can provide their own training program that can meet or sometimes exceed the programs of a part 141 flight school. Another great benefit about part-61 flight schools is that you can schedule your training at any time. You do not have to attend classes at a certain time everyday like you would at a part 141 flight schools. Training at a Part-61 flight school is great for people that have full time jobs or a family that they have to take care off.

So now you know a little bit more about FAA part-141 and FAA part-61 flight schools. Start your search for a flight school now.  Visit FlightSchoolList.Com to find a flight school near you.

FAA Part-141 Flight Schools (also known as FAA-Approved Flight Schools):

Enrollment at a FAA part-141 flight school usually ensures a higher quality of flight training, but not always. FAA-Approved part 141 flight schools have to meet certain standards with respect to equipment, facilities personnel and curriculum. However, many excellent part-61 flight schools find it impractical to qualify for the FAA part 141 approved flight school certification. One of the differences between a part-141 flight school and a part-61 flight school is that fewer flight hours are required to qualify for a pilot certificate at a part-141 flight school. The flight hour requirements for a private pilot certificate are 40 hours at a Part-61 flight school, and 35 hours at a Part-141 flight school. However, since the national average is between 60 to 75 flight hours, this difference may be insignificant. Part-141 flight schools are not always job friendly. If you plan on working full time and training you are probably better off doing your training at a part-61 flight school.

The second step in becoming a pilot is to obtain a medical certificate (if the choice of aircraft is an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or an airship). (The FAA suggests the individual get a medical certificate before beginning flight training to avoid the expense of flight training that cannot be continued due to a medical condition.) Balloon or glider pilots do not need a medical certificate, but do need to write a statement certifying that no medical defect exists that would prevent them from piloting a balloon or glider. The new sport pilot category does not require a medical examination; a driver’s license can be used as proof of medical competence. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office. Anyone requesting an FAA Medical Clearance, Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate can electronically complete an application through the FAA’s MedXPress system available at https://medxpress.faa.gov/.

A medical certificate is obtained by passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAAauthorized AME. There are approximately 6,000 FAA-authorized AMEs in the nation. To find an AME near you, go to the FAA’s AME locator at www.faa.gov/pilots/ amelocator/. 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. A Student Pilot Certificate can be processed by an FAA inspector or technician, an FAA Designated pilot examiner (DPE), an Airman Certification Representative (ACR), or a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). This certificate allows an individual who is being trained by a flight instructor to fly alone (solo) under specific, limited circumstances and must be carried with the student pilot while exercising solo flight privileges. The Student Pilot Certificate is only required when exercising solo flight privileges. The new plastic student certificate does not have an expiration date. For airmen who were issued a paper certificate, that certificate will remain valid until its expiration date. A paper certificate cannot be renewed. When the paper certificate expires, a new application must be completed via the IACRA system, and a new plastic certificate will be issued.

Requirements for International Students seeking pilot training for U.S. Airman Certificate:

You must participate in the Alien Flight Student Program and undergo a security threat assessment if:

You are an alien; and

You are seeking flight training inside or outside the United States for U.S. airman certificate under 14 CFR. This rule applies to flight training that you could use toward a recreational, sport, or private pilot certificate; multiengine or instrument rating; or any initial U.S. airman certificate issued by FAA.

NOTE: Information on this page applies only to aliens training in aircraft with a maximum certificate takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less. If you are training in an aircraft exceeding this weight read, TSA Background Checks for Training in Aircraft over 12,500.

Exemptions

As an alien, you are NOT required to participate in the AFSP and undergo a security threat assessment if:

You are seeking recurrent training, such as a flight review, instrument proficiency check, or flight training listed under 14 CFR 61.31; or

You are seeking ground training; or

You are participating in a discovery or demonstration flight for marketing purposes; or

The Department of Defense or U.S. Coast Guard (or a contractor with either) is providing your training.

You have been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Click here for instructions if you have been endorsed by DoD.

These exemptions are further clarified at www.flightschoolcandidates.gov.

After obtaining Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument (IFR) Certificate, Commercial Single Engine and Multi-Engine Certificate you can consider more advance training such as CFI, CFII, MEI ( Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, Multi-Engine Instructor ). Type Ratings (for large aircraft (meaning that they weigh more than 12,500 lbs.), aircraft having turbojet engines, or any airplane deemed suitable complex that it needs it by the FAA need a type rating in order to fly it as PIC ).