Learn To Fly

"Pursue your Dream"

Basic Information, Universities and Flight Schools, Links,
and "motivational" P-51 fly-by audio (98 KB)

The Cessna 150 - a great flight training airplane

Step right in! You CAN fly!

Slew to: Military Flight Training - Civilian Flight Training - Learn to Fly Courses - Universities with Flight Programs - Flight Schools - Learn to Fly Links - Videos

Basic Information

A suggested first step is to visit a nearby smaller airport and inquire about a "Discovery Flight" or "Introductory Flight". Most flight schools offer these which will include a brief first lesson with a Certificated Flight Instructor ("CFI") where you will sit in the pilot's seat and get to handle the flight controls - typically when 1,000' or more above the ground. This will introduce you to flying with no commitment. If there is more than one flight school near you, you will want to visit each of them to get a good idea of how they conduct business and decide if they meet your expectations. Some schools are better, friendlier or more modern than others and you can determine if a slightly more expensive school may or may not be worth it.

Military Flight Training:

If you are young enough and qualify (both physically and academically), learning to fly in the military is an excellent, and probably the best option. The advantages are:

Excellent quality training. The military will invest over a million dollars in training you to be a pilot.
Rapid progression to complex and / or jet equipment.
It's free, and you will be paid an Officer's salary the entire time.
Airlines tend to look favorably on military-trained pilots.
The camaraderie among fellow Officers and pilots.

The disadvantages include:

A significant commitment of years to the military. Now typically nine years after attaining your wings.
Deployments overseas, on board ship or to land-based locations that may not appeal to you or that take you away from your family for many months at a time.
In times of war, the possibility of increase in physical risk
Generally, you need a four-year college degree before being trained as a pilot

Tip: Pilot candidates that already have a Private Pilot certificate tend to find themselves at an advantage in the military flight training.
ROTC, the Reserve Officer Training Corps can help pay for your college while attaining your degree.
So, if you can qualify, I'd recommend looking into the military.

Civilian Flight Training:

The Pilot Licenses / Certificates:

(The terms 'license' and 'certificate' are used interchangeably by many, even by the FAA on its website. The correct term is actually "certificate".)
Information on this page only refers to airplanes. Rotorcraft (helicopters), gliders and balloons have different requirements.
Link to the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61 ("Certification of Pilots and Flight Instructors"): HERE

Student Pilot Certificate and Third Class Medical Certificate (Required to 'solo', or fly by yourself)

Previously this was issued as a combined "Student Pilot Certificate / Third Class Medical Certificate" by an Aviation Medical Examiner. But now, the Student Certificate is a separate document issued by the FAA. Your CFI will help you get this, but it isn't required until you are ready to solo.
The Third Class Medical Certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner. Like the Student Pilot Certificate, this isn't required until you are ready to solo. This is a fairly simple medical exam. The medical is valid for 5 years / 60 months if obtained when under 40 years old, 24 months if issued when 40 or older. See the "Basic Med" information and links under Private Pilot below.
Flight instruction can be received at any age, but to solo an airplane, you must be 16 years old.
Gliders and balloons can be soloed at age 14.
The Student Pilot's logbook is signed by a Certificated Flight Instructor ("CFI") to allow you to solo, and later, to take solo cross-country flights.
No minimum hours are specified, but details of training required are spelled out in Federal Aviation Regulations ("FARs") 61.81 thru 61.95. Most pilots can solo in about 10 hours, but this is widely variable.
Passengers may NEVER be carried by a Student Pilot.
See FAR Parts 61.81-61.95 (Subpart C) for full information

Sport Pilot

Minimum age - 17
Significant changes take place effective October 22, 2025 under "MOSAIC" - See details HERE
A very significant plus is that a Sport Pilot does not need an FAA Medical certificate - only a Driver's License for medical requirements.
The Sport Pilot will be able to fly aircraft:
- With a clean stall speed of 59 KCAS or less (which includes many airplanes)
- Up to four seats, but only one passenger
- Day VFR [Visual Flight Rules] / "good weather"
- Night (only with Basic Med or a Third Class medical)
- Only valid in the US
- A few more limitations as published under FAR 61.315
FAR Part 61 Minimum flight experience. Full list is in FAR 61.313
- 20 hours total flight time
- 15 hours dual instruction ('dual' is flight time with an instructor)
- 5 hours solo, including one 75 nautical mile cross-country solo flight.
See FAR Parts 61.301-61.327 (Subpart J) for full information

Recreational Pilot

The Recreational Pilot is a very restricted certificate and very few pilots pursue this. It existed long before the Sport Pilot became an option.
See FAR Parts 61.96-61.101 (Subpart D) for full information

Private Pilot

The Private Pilot certificate is usually what is referred to when discussing getting a "pilot's license".
Minimum age - 17
Allows carrying of passengers in relatively good weather - Visual Flight Rules ("VFR") both day and night.
Third Class medical required. (Same duration as for Student Pilots listed above). As of May 1, 2017: Changes to the regulations allow many operations under "Basic Med". More detail here.
Basic Med application is here.
Specified flight training, solo and solo cross-country experience, a "Knowledge Test" and written recommendation from a CFI is required prior to taking the Practical Test (an Oral and Flight Test) from a Designated Pilot Examiner.
Either of two possible sets of rules can be used to get your Private Pilot's License: either FAR Part 141 - at an "FAA Approved" Flight school, or FAR Part 61
FAR Part 61 Minimum flight experience (full list is in FAR 61.109)
- 40 hours total flight time
- 20 hours dual instruction ('dual' is flight time with an instructor)
- 3 hours night, including 10 night takeoffs and landings and a 100 nautical mile night flight.
- 10 hours solo, of which 5 hours is solo cross-country, including one 150 nautical mile cross-country solo flight.
FAR Part 141 allows some ground simulator time to be applied toward the certificate and has different requirements.
See FAR Parts 61.102-61.117 (Subpart E) for full information

Commercial Pilot

Minimum age: 18
Allows you to earn money for flying.
A Second Class Medical is required. The medical is valid for 12 months for commercial pilot purposes.
Minimum hours under FAR 61.129 : 250 hours.
FAR 141 generally requires fewer hours.
Another Knowledge Test and Practical Test is required.
See FAR Parts 61.121-61.133 (Subpart F) for full information

Instrument Rating

Allows flying in weather 'less-than VFR' or in 'Instrument conditions', such as in the clouds.
Rating goes onto a Private or Commercial certificate.
Minimum hours under FAR 61.65:
- 50 hours cross-country time as Pilot in Command.
- 40 hours of simulated instrument time under the 'hood' - which is flying with an instructor while you wear a 'view-limiting device' allowing you to only see the instruments.
FAR 141 generally requires fewer hours.
Another Knowledge Test and Practical Test is required.
See FAR 61.65 for full information

Multi-engine Rating

Rating goes onto a Private, Commercial or ATP certificate.
Allows flying multi-engine airplanes.
No Knowledge Test, but a Practical Test is required.

Certificated Flight Instructor

Commercial Certificate and Instrument Rating (or ATP) required first.
Allows you to teach flying - which many people do to build flying experience.
Ratings on the CFI include: Single-Engine, Multi-Engine and Instrument.
An extensive Knowledge Test and Practical Test is required.
See FAR Parts 61.181-61.199 (Subpart H) for full information

Airline Transport Pilot

Minimum of 1,500 flight hours.
There are provisions for an ATP with restricted privileges with 1,000 hours if a Bachelor's degree graduate from certain universities. (See FAR 61.160)
Required certificate to be a Captain for an airline.
Previously this was not required by the FAA to be a Copilot / First Officer for an airline, but now at least a Restricted ATP is. Details can be read here:
Restricted ATP
A First Class Medical is required. The medical is valid for 12 months if obtained when under 40 years old, 6 months if issued when 40 or older (for ATP privileges).
Another Knowledge Test and Practical Test is required.
See FAR Parts 61.151-61.169 (Subpart G) for full information

Learn to Fly Courses:
Online - DVD - Download - Text

Universities with Flight Programs:

Broward College	Aviation Programs
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	Aviation Programs
Florida Institute of Technology	Aeronautical Science Degree
Middle Tennessee State University	Aerospace Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage	Aviation Technology
University of Memphis	Commercial Aviation
University of North Dakota	Aerospace Programs

Flight Schools:

AeroGuard Flight Training Center
AirVenture Flight Center
ATP Flight School
L3 Airline Academy
Pan Am International Flight Academy
Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
Spartan School of Aeronautics

Other Learn-to-Fly Links:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Learn to Fly section
Airline Training Orientation Program - Fly a B-737 Simulator ! (Student and Private Pilots welcome)
Be-A-Pilot.com
Becoming an Aviation Pilot by Trade-A-Plane
Cessna Pilot Centers
EAA's Eagle Flights Program Free Introductory Flight Experience for Adults
EAA's Sporty's Learn to Fly videos page
FAA Information on becoming a pilot
    Airplane Flying Handbook
    Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
FAA Airman Search - FAA's Pilot Registry
FARs - Current list of all Federal Aviation Regulations
FedEx Flight Operations Careers
Instrument Procedures Handbook Excellent, color online book [FREE] from the FAA
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots Includes a link to a video about careers as a pilot.
P-51 fly-by audio (98 KB)

Sporty's Pilot Shop Videos and Information:

   Learning to Fly - Why Learn to Fly? (Part 1 of 4)
   Learning to Fly - How Do You Learn to Fly? (Part 2 of 4)
   Learning to Fly - Your First Flight (Part 3 of 4)
   Learning to Fly - Choosing a Flight School (Part 4 of 4)
   Student Pilot News Videos, articles, Learn-to-Fly information
   Sporty's extensive collection of informative videos

Updated July 24, 2025

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