Getting Your Pilot Certificates

Getting your pilot certificates is an awesome experience. Being able fly yourself and friends around to destinations around the country or making a career out of aviation flying some of the largest jet airliners the world has seen, having a pilot certificate is required. Here is an easy break down of how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies pilots for airplane flight in the United States.

ATP
Airline Transport Pilot

The top of Aviation certificates. Pilots are required to log 1,000 to 1,500 hours depending on their training to be eligible for this certificate. It is required to carry passengers for airlines and other large-scale operations.

Commercial SEL
Commercial Single Engine Land

A Commercial certificate allows the pilot to be compensated for their flying. It requires several hundred hours in the air to be eligible. It is required for all flight instructors.

Multi-Engine Land

An add on rating to a commercial or private pilot certificate that allows the pilot to operate an airplane with more than one engine. Special training and an FAA Checkride are required prior to application.

Private SEL
Private Pilot Single Engine Land

This allows the pilot to operate an airplane for personal use. This is one of the first certificates a pilot will receive. It requires on average 40-70 hours of flight time.

Instrument Rating

An Instrument rating can be applied to either a private or commercial certificate. This allows the pilot to operate the aircraft just by looking at the instrument inside the airplane. Flying in the clouds and above 18,000ft both require an instrument rating.

Instructor Certificates

CFI
Certified Flight Instructor

A certified flight instructor is a commercial or airline transport rated pilot who has taken the required FAA written and practical tests to teach others how to fly! A CFI can instruct students to and help them achieve sport, private or commercial certificates.

CFII
Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument

A Certified flight instructor – Instrument, also know as a “double I” can teach students to fly an aircraft solely by reference to the gauges in the airplane. A CFII can endorse students for the FAA written and practical instrument tests. A CFII must pass a written test as well as a long oral and practical test with the FAA.

MEI
Multi-Engine Instructor

A Multi-Engine Instructor can teach students on how to fly airplanes with more than one engine. This requires the instructor to have a certain number of hours in Multi-Engine airplanes as well as expert knowledge or the complex systems associated with these larger aircrafts.

AGI
Advance Ground Instructor

An advance ground instructor can teach students in the classroom in topics including aerodynamics, regulations, Aircraft systems and more! An AGI can endorse students for written tests except for instrument ratings. The certificate requires FAA written tests to be eligible.

IGI
Instrument Ground Instructor

An instrument ground instructor can teach in the classroom subjects relating to instrument fight rules, IFR for short. This includes regulations, weather, navigation and procedures for instrument flying. An IGI can endorse students to take an instrument written test. The certificate requires FAA written tests to be eligible.

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