The Different Types of Pilot Certifications

John Moss Wathen IV holds a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering and aspires to a successful career as a professional pilot. John Wathen IV has always had an interest in flying, and there are a number of different certifications that one can obtain for flying in the US.

The most common piloting certification or license sought after in the US is a private pilot certification. This type of certification requires a fair amount of training and experience, and it allows the pilot to fly small aircraft throughout the US, at night, and controlled airports.

Recreational and sports pilot licenses have lesser requirements than private ones, but they also come with more restrictions. The sport certification is the easiest to get, but they are limited to single-passenger aircraft, flying below 10,000 feet, and not allowed at controlled airports. The recreational certification takes more training, enabling the pilot to fly more types of aircraft than the sport license.

People looking to make a career as a pilot will need to obtain a commercial pilot’s certificate, which allows them to get paid for flying. There is an abundance of training and education involved, as they must learn to fly more advanced aircraft. Once a pilot has this certification, they can then work towards the flight instructor certification and the airline transport pilot certification.