Get Your Pilot’s License!
Getting your pilot’s license is easier than you think! You can solo a glider at 14, and an airplane at 16! However, you must be 17 in order to get your private pilot’s license.There are a few different licenses you can get to begin with. However, we almost always recommend you get your private pilot’s license because it gives you the most freedom to fly.
Sport Pilot License: Requires 20 hours of flight training. Sport pilots can fly in good weather during the day. They can’t fly in busy airspace, at night, outside of the country or with more than one passenger. They are also restricted to flying airplanes that weigh 1320lbs maximum.
Recreational Pilot License: Requires 30 hours of flight training. Recreational pilots can fly in good weather during the day, and at night if they receive extra training. They can also fly in busy airspace is they receive extra training. They can never fly outside of the country, or carry more than one passenger. A recreational pilot is also restricted to aircraft with less than 180 horsepower.
Private Pilot License: The Private Pilot License requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight training, but allows pilots to fly in good weather during the day and at night. They can also fly in busy airspace, outside of the country, in larger airplanes and carry more than one passenger. A private pilot, if they have the time and money can fly their airplane around the world if they want to!
Instrument License: The instrument rating is training that many private pilots get in order to make them safer pilots in bad weather. With an Instrument Rating pilots can fly without being able to see outside to navigate, which means they can often fly even when in the clouds!