Student Pilot
This is where everyone starts. Student pilots learn to fly while working their way through the knowledge and flying skills needed to earn their sport, recreational, or private pilot certificate. A student pilot's flying privileges are very limited, but provide enough freedom to allow them to learn all of the basics, including standard airport-to-airport cross-country flying skills and interaction with air traffic control (ATC).When student pilots first start learning to fly, they complete all of their flights with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) on board. Once they've reached the age of 16, have a valid medical, and have mastered the basic skills and educational topics of flight, they can solo (fly alone without an instructor or other certificated pilot at the controls). The destination and duration of each solo flight must be approved. Student pilots are allowed to operate only at or near their "home-base" airports and with a special sign-off by their instructors travel to other local airports to practice their airport-to-airport cross-country flying skills. Student pilots learn how to fly in good weather during the day and night. They also learn basic instrument flying skills, which teach them how to fly by reading the instruments in the cockpit and without visual reference to the ground. They are not allowed to carry any passengers, or to fly for hire. They are not allowed to operate in the busiest airspace around our largest cities without special training and flight instructor approval.

Sport Pilot
This is a rating that is now in force in the United States. Sport pilots generally fly in aircraft that fly at low speeds less than 100 mph. The sport pilot certificate, introduced in 2004, created a new medical standard for pilots. Sport pilots do not need a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate to fly an aircraft. They may use their current driver's license as proof that they are medically fit to operate low-speed aircraft. Sport pilots must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 20 hours of flight time (although experience suggests that the certificate may take closer to 30 or 35 hours to earn). This includes 15 hours of flight training and five hours of solo flight. Sport pilots may fly cross-country; however, they cannot operate at airports or in airspace that require communication with air traffic control (ATC) unless they receive the proper training and endorsements from a certificated flight instructor (CFI). They cannot fly after dark, and they can carry only one passenger. They must revalidate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a CFI.

Private Pilot
Private pilots comprise the largest group of pilots and are among the most active flyers. A private pilot with appropriate training, ratings, and endorsements (e.g., floatplane, tail dragger, multiengine, helicopter, jet, retractable gear, pressurized, high-performance, complex, etc.) may carry passengers in any aircraft, day or night, good or bad weather (see Instrument Rating below). Private pilots may not fly for compensation or hire (no passenger or revenue services) but may share equally with their passengers the direct operating expenses of a flight specifically fuel, oil, airport parking and landing fees, and aircraft rental charges. Private pilots must have a current medical certificate, which they must renew every 12, 24 or 36 months (depending upon age). They must revalidate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a certificated flight instructor (CFI).

Instrument Rating
While technically not a pilot certificate, the instrument rating is the most common and logical step to take after gaining some experience while flying with a private pilot certificate. This add-on rating allows a pilot to fly in weather with reduced visibilities such as rain, low clouds, or heavy haze. When flying in these conditions, pilots follow instrument flight rules (IFR). The instrument rating provides the skills needed to complete flights without visual reference to the ground, except for the takeoff and landing phases. All pilots who fly above 18,000 feet mean sea level (msl) must have an instrument rating. The instrument rating makes the use of aircraft more practical for routine transportation because most of the time, an "IFR-rated" pilot will be able to safely conduct their flight in spite of the weather conditions they may encounter. The instrument rating requires highly specialized training by a certificated flight instructor (CFI) with a special instrument instruction rating (CFII), and completion of an additional written exam, oral exam, and flight test. Pilots applying for an instrument rating must hold at least a current private pilot certificate and medical, have logged at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, and have at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time including at least 15 hours of instrument flight training and instrument training on cross-country flight procedures. If not used on a regular and sufficient basis, pilots must revalidate their instrument rating every 12 months by undertaking an instrument proficiency check with a CFI.

Commercial Pilot
As the name implies, commercial pilots can be paid to fly aircraft. Commercial pilots must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 250 hours of flight time (190 hours under the accelerated curriculum defined in Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations), including 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in airplanes, and 100 hours as pilot in command (of which 50 hours must be cross-country flight time). They must hold an instrument rating, or be restricted to flying for hire only in daylight, under visual flight rules (VFR), within 50 miles of the originating airport. They may fly for hire in accordance with applicable parts of their Civil Aviation Regulations.

Certificated Flight Instructor
A certificated flight instructor (CFI) is authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority to give instruction to student pilots and pilots taking recurrent training or preparing for additional certificates or ratings. They also may give flight reviews and recommend their students for flight tests. CFIs must be at least 18 years old and must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating. CFIs may earn a special instrument instructor rating, allowing them to teach instrument flying (operating an aircraft in the air solely by instrument indications without visual reference to the ground). An instructor with this rating is called a CFII. In addition to undertaking their normal flight review every 24 months, CFIs must revalidate their instructor certification every 24 months.

Airline Transport Pilots
This is the doctorate degree of piloting. Airline transport pilots (ATPs) must be at least 23 years old and have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, including 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flying, and 75 hours in actual or simulated instrument flight conditions. Most ATPs have many thousands of hours of flight time. ATPs also must have a commercial certificate and an instrument rating. ATPs may instruct other pilots in air transportation service in aircraft in which the ATP is rated. They may not instruct pilots outside of air transportation service unless they also have an appropriate fight instructor certificate. ATPs must have a current and much more stringent Class I medical, which they are required to renew every six months. Like all pilots, they must revalidate their certificates every 24 months with a flight review. However, most active ATPs undergo a check ride in an aircraft or simulator every six months.

"What Pilot Ratings Mean." Start Flying. 21 june 2003. Start Flying. 21 Jan 2008 .

Advanced Ratings

Constant Speed Unit (CSU) Endorsement

As you start flying larger and fast aircraft you
will find most of these will have a CSU propeller
system. A CSU propeller system has a variable
pitch and thus provides better power
management and performance.

Combine this endorsement with a retractable
endorsement, or a glass cockpit check out, to
save time and money, as well as expanding
your options!

A CSU endorsement is a necessity for students who
wish to do a Commercial Pilot License. (CPL)

Retractable Undercarriage Endorsement
Most high performance aircraft utilize retractable
undercarriage systems.

This endorsement teaches you about the various
types of systems used in light aircraft, as well as
the practical aspects of using them including
emergency procedures for manual gear extension.

Tail Wheel Endorsement
Looking for something else now that you have your
license - why not come along and learn to fly
a "taildragger" !

A tail wheel endorsement is fun and keeps the challenge in flying.

Aerobatic Rating
Aerobatics is the ultimate in controlling an aircraft.
It places high emphasis in setting accurate
attitudes and being able to control the aircraft in
all stages of flight.

Learning aerobatics is one of the most enjoyable
avenues in aviation and the skills learnt will
ultimately return to you by way of enjoying ALL
flying by feeling more confident and more "in
command" of any aircraft.

Night Visual Flight Rating
Why limit yourself to just daylight flying? The
Night VFR Rating allows you to fly at night in
good weather conditions.

Just the rating you need to get you flying before
the crack of dawn for that early start to the
holidays, or perhaps not having to worry as
much as you might have when you've discovered
that you are running out of daylight returning
from that trip away.

Multi-Engine Rating
A twin endorsement is a necessity for the budding
career pilot. Likewise many private pilots prefer
the extra speed and security of two engines.

Part of your initial training involves flying the
aircraft in the cruise, and landing it, with one
engine switched off!

With greater speed and seats a twin rating opens
up more options for a trip you may have planned.

Command Instrument Rating
Without a command instrument rating a pilot is
required to remain in visual meteorological
conditions at all times. Unfortunately, the
weather does not always permit this, so an
instrument rating may be obtained to enable
a pilot to fly in less than visual conditions.

This rating is a must for pilots who wish to
apply for entry in to the airlines!

Formation Rating
Enhance your precision flying skills by flying in formation. Your initial endorsement will be
conducted by teaching you the fundamentals
of basic pair formations.

Formation endorsement training is generally
done with two pilots who seek the endorsement
and two formation endorsed instructors.

Instructor Rating
Many pilots in pursuing a career choose flight
instruction either as a method of gaining
experience or as a career itself. You need to hold
your commercial license and have to complete
a night rating or an instrument rating by
completion of the course.

Trainee instructors must undergo a course that
includes 50 hours of flying training, and
approximately 200 hours of theory.

"Flight Ratings." Airborne Aviation. 14 May 2007. Airborne Aviation. 21 Jan 2008 .