6 Different Types Of Pilot Certifications

Many aspiring pilots begin flight training with the goal of flying for a major airline, but the path to get there involves more than just logging hours. Along the way, pilots must earn a series of certifications and ratings, each serving a distinct purpose in building the skills and qualifications needed for different types of flying.

Understanding the difference between pilot certificates and ratings is essential for anyone considering aviation as a career. Certificates define the level of pilot you are legally qualified to be, while ratings allow you to operate specific aircraft types or fly in certain conditions. Knowing how these credentials work together will help you better plan your training and make informed decisions as you progress toward your aviation goals.

Here is a quick breakdown before we get into the details below:

Source: FAA 14 CFR Part 61. Requirements shown are minimums — individual flight schools and airlines may require additional hours.

Student Pilot Certificate

Before a pilot can earn any certificate, the journey begins with a Student Pilot Certificate. This is the very first credential an aspiring aviator obtains, and it serves as the gateway to all future flight training. To be eligible, an individual must be at least 16 years of age (or 14 for glider and balloon categories) as well as be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.

Applying for a Student Pilot Certificate is done through Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA), the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) online airman certification system. The application is submitted electronically and must be verified by a certified flight instructor (CFI), a designated pilot examiner, or an FAA Flight Standards District Office. In addition to the IACRA application, student pilots are required to obtain at least a 3rd class medical certificate, which is issued after passing a physical examination conducted by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

Once issued, the Student Pilot Certificate allows the holder to fly solo, but only under the direct supervision and endorsement of a certified flight instructor. This means that while student pilots can log solo flight time and begin building valuable experience, they cannot carry passengers or fly for any form of compensation. The Student Pilot Certificate is an essential first step, laying the groundwork for earning a Private Pilot Certificate and every certification that follows.

Private Pilot Certificate

The Private Pilot Certificate is the first credential a pilot earns. It allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately. Obtaining a PPL is the fundamental step toward a career as an airline pilot. It is the most common pilot certificate since the training requirements are more intensive than recreational or sport pilot certificates, which are two certificates that will be further discussed later. Individuals who obtain a PPL can fly at night, in controlled airspaces, and in the category of aircraft they are certified for (typically small single engine aircraft). However, private pilots cannot fly for compensation, for hire, or for commercial purposes.

The training requirements to obtain a PPL are:

• At least 40 hours flight time
• 20 hours with an instructor
• Maneuvers testing
• Knowledge exam

Getting a private pilot certificate allows pilots to start building hours and experience toward advanced certificates that permit working professionally. Though private pilots fly small personal aircraft initially, the skills learned serve as the foundation for piloting larger and more complex aircraft.

Instrument Rating

An Instrument Rating is one of the most important ratings a pilot can add to their certificate. It authorizes the holder to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which means they can navigate and operate an aircraft solely by reference to cockpit instruments rather than relying on visual cues outside the aircraft. This is especially critical for flying in low-visibility conditions such as clouds, fog, or heavy rain, situations where pilots without an instrument rating are simply unable to fly.

For pilots on the commercial track, an Instrument Rating is a practical necessity. The FAA requires instrument proficiency for many of the privileges that come with a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and virtually every professional piloting career demands it. Without an Instrument Rating, a pilot’s ability to fly in real-world weather conditions would be severely limited, making employment with airlines or charter operators impractical.

The minimum requirements to earn an Instrument Rating include at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command and 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. Students must also pass an FAA knowledge exam and a practical checkride demonstrating their ability to fly approaches, hold patterns, and navigate airways using instruments alone. At PEA, instrument training is integrated into the professional flight programs so students build IFR skills progressively alongside their other certifications.

Commercial Pilot Certificate

A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows pilots to be compensated for their flying services and is a key step toward an aviation career, though additional training is needed for airline flying, though additional training is needed for the airlines. This certificate permits pilots to fly for hire as they build flight hours and experience. However, much like the misconception many have about obtaining a private pilot’s certificate and flying private jets, many associate receiving a commercial pilot certificate with flying for a commercial airline. While a CPL unlocks professional piloting, further certificates are required to fly for commercial airlines.

Training and testing to obtain a commercial pilot certificate are:

• Training for a commercial pilot certificate focuses on flying complex aircraft with features like retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable-pitch propellers. Students at Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) who are working toward obtaining their commercial pilot certificate have the opportunity to complete their training in a Piper Seneca, which is a multi-engine aircraft.
• Students must pass knowledge tests on navigation, regulations, meteorology, aerodynamics, and other areas.

A Commercial Pilot License allows pilots to begin working in various paid piloting jobs apart from the airlines. This includes sightseeing tours, traffic monitoring, aerial photography, crop dusting, and more. The experience builds towards an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) License, which will be examined in detail after discussing the importance of flight instructors.

Multi-Engine Rating

A Multi-Engine Rating authorizes a pilot to act as pilot in command of aircraft equipped with more than one engine. For anyone pursuing a career in commercial aviation, this rating is essential; nearly all airline and charter aircraft are twin-engine or larger, and pilots cannot operate these aircraft without the proper multi-engine endorsement on their certificate.

Multi-engine training builds on the skills already developed during single-engine flight, with a strong emphasis on engine-out procedures, asymmetric thrust management, and the unique aerodynamic considerations that come with operating a twin-engine aircraft. Students learn to safely manage scenarios such as an engine failure during takeoff or in-flight, which is one of the most critical skills a professional pilot can possess.

At PEA, students working toward their Commercial Pilot Certificate complete their multi-engine training in a Piper Seneca, a proven multi-engine training platform. This hands-on experience prepares graduates to transition confidently into the multi-engine aircraft they will encounter throughout their professional careers.

Flight Instructor Ratings

Instructor Ratings are critical certifications for pilots aspiring to teach flight students. This crucial credential signifies that a pilot possesses the necessary approval, skills, and knowledge to deliver flight training that meets stringent safety and quality standards. Becoming a flight instructor is not just a career milestone; it’s a strategic financial decision. Instructors at PEA can gain the requisite 1500 flight hours for an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) more economically, as they earn while instructing, thereby bypassing the significant costs of accumulating flight hours independently.

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate

The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) License is the most advanced certification a pilot can obtain. It is required for pilots operating airliners ranging from the regionals to major commercial such as Delta, United, etc. Airlines mandate ATP Licenses and 1,500 flight hours for new hires. There are two types of ATP Licenses, a standard ATP license that requires an individual to be 23+ years old and a log of 1,500 flight hours. However there is also a Restricted ATP License. A restricted ATP is for individuals who may have flown in the military or for students graduating from approved universities whose required minimum of hours is less than 1,500. Military pilots can receive their restricted ATP with 750 hours, an individual who attends a four-year aviation university can get theirs at 1,000 hours, whereas an individual who attends a two-year aviation college can do it in 1,250 hours. An ATP license signifies rigorous requirements and preparation to fly passengers professionally. Approaching it strategically through specialized university training or military service enables meeting airline prerequisites efficiently.

Sport Pilot Certificate

The least restrictive and most accessible pilot certificate a student can obtain is a sport pilot certificate. It authorizes flying light aircraft at low altitudes locally. Sport pilot certificates can be earned in multiple categories such as airplane, powered parachute, glider, rotorcraft and lighter-than-air. Unlike the other licenses discussed, sport pilots are limited to just one passenger. They cannot fly above 10,000 feet, prohibited from flying in Class B, C and D airspaces, and are not authorized to do any night flying. There is a short training requirement of only 20 flight hours, and most sport pilots can fly without an FAA medical certificate.

With streamlined requirements, the sport pilot license offers an introduction to flying and piloting within strict limits. Further licenses, as mentioned above, can then build additional capabilities like carrying more passengers, flying in busier airspaces, and operating more advanced aircraft.

Recreational Pilot Certificate

Obtaining a Recreational Pilot License is far less common of a choice than the Sport Pilot or Private Pilot Licenses, but is an option for pilots who want to fly heavier aircraft with fewer requirements. Recreational pilots fly heavier aircraft than light sport aircraft after completing at least 30 hours of flying, with 15 hours of instruction. In comparison to a Sport Pilot License, recreational licenses allow for a larger aircraft to be flown. However the limitations of a recreational pilot license must stay within 50 nautical miles of the departing airport, can only fly during the day, and are prohibited from flying in controlled airspaces (Class B, C, or D).

Though less popular now, the recreational pilot license bridges sport and private privileges, and suits pilots seeking an intermediate option permitting heavier planes without needing advanced instruction. The restrictions accommodate casual and local flying only.

Start Your Journey in Aviation Today

Everyone joins Phoenix East Aviation with the dream of becoming a pilot. At PEA, we are here to help students’ dreams take flight, which often begins with the help of their esteemed Admissions Department. 

Once you contact us and an Admissions Officer gets in touch, we can provide more information about the pilot programs and flight training courses offered at PEA. If you are interested in joining, learn more about the professional programs available and reach out with any questions you may have by emailing us at info2@pea.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a pilot certificate?

It depends on the certificate you are pursuing. A Private Pilot Certificate can be earned in as little as three months at an accelerated flight school. For the full zero-to-ATP pathway (which includes private pilot certificate, instrument, commercial, multi engine, and flight instructor training followed by building the required flight hours) most students should expect roughly two years. At an accelerated Part 141 school like PEA, that timeline can be compressed to approximately 18 to 24 months.

How much does pilot training cost?

A Private Pilot Certificate typically costs between $20,000 and $25,000, while a full commercial pathway through CFI ratings can range from $90,000 to $110,000 or more. The exact cost depends on the school, its location, the aircraft used for training, and how quickly an individual student progresses. It is always a good idea to request a detailed cost breakdown from any school you are considering.

Do I need a college degree to become an airline pilot?

A college degree is not required to become an airline pilot. Most major and regional airlines focus primarily on whether a candidate holds an ATP certificate and has logged the required 1,500 flight hours — or fewer through the Restricted ATP (R-ATP) pathway available to qualifying military pilots and graduates of approved aviation programs. At PEA, many students build the necessary hours by working as flight instructors after completing their training. For students interested in pursuing a degree alongside their flight training, PEA also offers pathway opportunities with Liberty University and Purdue Global.

Does a private pilot certificate expire?

The certificate itself does not expire; once issued, it remains valid for life. However, to legally exercise its privileges, a pilot must maintain a current medical certificate and have completed at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in order to carry passengers.

What’s the difference between a certificate and a rating?

A certificate (such as a Private Pilot Certificate, Commercial Pilot Certificate, or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate) is a standalone credential that grants a defined level of flying authority. A rating, on the other hand, is an add-on qualification placed on an existing certificate that expands what the holder is authorized to do. For example, an Instrument Rating allows a pilot to fly under IFR conditions, while a Multi-Engine Rating authorizes operations in twin-engine aircraft.