Flight Training

There are nine basic types of pilots: student, sport, recreational, private, instrument rated, commercial, certified flight instructor, airline transport, and then there's designated pilot examiner.

You can progress through these different levels of skill by getting flight instructor training and attaining higher ratings. This rating system designates what type of planes you can fly, if you can carry passengers, but also what type of weather you're allowed to fly in. While you are doing your flight instructor training you will learn that there is even a rating you must achieve before you can be hired as a pilot.

Also, every pilot undergoing flight instructor training must have a current certificate of good health from a physician approved by the FAA before they can fly. Flight instructor training begins with the student pilot certification. To gain this and subsequent certifications (also known as your pilot's license), you must undergo flight instructor training , pass a written test, an oral test, ground school, and a flight test. Student pilots begin by taking flight instructor training with certified flying instructors.

After you achieve a mastery of a set of basic skills, you will at last be permitted to fly solo. All student flying and flight instructor training must take place near a "home" airport. If your instructor approves, you can take a trip to another airport and back, but a student pilot may never carry passengers.

Recreational and sport pilots can only carry one passenger and are not allowed to fly through airspace where communication with an air traffic controller is required. From this point, many pilots will proceed to the less restricted rating of private pilot. For more information on the more advanced levels of flight training, contact a flight school and talk with a flight instructor about the courses they offer.

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