Different Types of Pilot Licenses, Pilot License Types Facts
Most people do not understand that there are different types of pilot licenses or different levels of flying. This article should help you figure out which area or goal you should shoot for it you are just starting to explore that journey.
Pilot License Types:
What pilot training options can you choose from?
Depending on your aviation goals, you’ll find a variety of training paths to suit your needs. Here’s a quick overview to help make sense of your options:
- Introductory/Discovery Flights: These give you a taste of flying before you commit to full training.
- Private Pilot License (PPL): The foundational license, and where just about everyone starts.
- Instrument Rating: Teaches you to fly safely in clouds and low visibility, using only instruments.
- Multi-Engine Rating: Expands your ability to fly aircraft with more than one engine.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): Required if you want to start earning money as a pilot.
- Certified Flight Instructor Certificates (CFI and CFII): Allows you to teach others, and advance your own skills.
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): The highest level, necessary for major airline positions.
You’ll often find combinations or accelerated programs as well, all designed to fit different paces and career plans.
So how does it work?
Each pilot license or rating has a two part section to it. The first is the written material or the knowledge you need to know for that license and the second is the practical or performance part of learning how to operate the airplane according to those sets of rules. Gone are the days where you had to physically go to a class and learn the requirements in order to take the written exam. Now you can almost always purchase a course or attend virtually to satisfy the ground school requirements. We will now explain the types of pilot licenses there are.
Where do you start?
What is a Student Pilot Certificate?
Before you even become a private pilot, most beginners start out by earning their Student Pilot Certificate. Think of it as your learner’s permit for the skies. This certificate lets you fly solo, but only under the guidance and supervision of a flight instructor.
Requirements to Get Started:
- You need to be at least 16 years old.
- A solid understanding of English (reading, speaking, and comprehension) is a must.
- You’ll have to fill out an application and provide the necessary paperwork through the FAA’s IACRA website.
- A third-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner is also required, just to confirm you’re physically fit to fly.
Limitations to Keep in Mind:
- You can’t carry passengers or cargo, and definitely can’t get paid for your flight time.
- All solo flights happen under your instructor’s watchful eye—no disappearing off to Cabo for the weekend.
Basically, the Student Pilot Certificate opens the hangar door to hands-on flying while keeping you on a structured—and supervised—path as you rack up experience.
Everyone starts at the private pilot level. It is the beginning pilot license or the first step in the aviation journey. After you get your private pilot license then you can move on towards the other licenses. Getting the private pilot certificate usually involves about 40 hours of flight time as well as passing the written exam. Once you take your check ride you are good to move on to the next step. A check ride is like a driving test, you are tested on all the requirements for that pilot license.
What financing or loan options are available for flight training?
Paying for flight training is one of the bigger hurdles for most aspiring pilots, but thankfully there are quite a few ways to help lighten the load. In addition to saving up the old-fashioned way or picking up a side gig, you’ll find several financing options and student loans available specifically for flight school.
Some of the more popular options students use include:
- Student loans through private lenders like Sallie Mae or Wells Fargo. Many offer specific education loans that cover vocational and flight training schools—and rates tend to be better for those with a solid credit history (or a co-signer).
- Personal loans from your bank or credit union, which can be a flexible option, though it’s always smart to shop around for the best interest rate.
- Finance programs from the flight schools themselves. Many schools partner with financing companies or even offer payment plans to spread out the cost.
- Scholarships and grants are out there too—organizations like AOPA, EAA, and Women in Aviation offer annual awards that can help take a bite out of your total costs. Even if it doesn’t cover the whole bill, every bit helps.
It’s worth spending some time comparing your options, reading the fine print, and reaching out to local schools for any programs you might not see advertised online. Getting creative with funding is part of the flight training adventure—just be sure to do your homework before signing anything with a lot of zeros on it!
Private Pilot license
This pilot license is the beginning pilot license that we mentioned earlier. It basically has no benefits except for being able to go fly for fun by yourself or with friends and family. You are not allowed to be compensated for any flying while operating an aircraft. That is the limitation of this certificate. You can fly, you just cant do it professionally. Private pilots are not allowed to fly into any weather conditions that are not in the realm of "visual flight rules" This basically means you are restricted to good weather conditions. It is the first pilot license you will get.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Commercial Pilot?
One of the big questions on the aviation journey is always, “So what’s this going to set me back?” The answer isn’t exactly pocket change, but if you know what to expect, the sticker shock is much easier to handle.
Becoming a commercial pilot typically costs anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 in the United States, depending on the flight school, the region, and how much flying experience you already have under your belt. Here’s the general breakdown:
- Private Pilot Certificate: Usually around $12,000 to $18,000
- Instrument Rating: $8,000 to $12,000
- Commercial Pilot Certificate: $25,000 to $35,000
- Building Hours and Additional Ratings: You may need to log extra flight time to meet certain requirements, which can add to the tab.
Remember, these costs can vary if you go the part 61 (more flexible, sometimes slower) or part 141 (structured, often quicker) training route. Some folks cut costs by joining a local flying club, training at a community college, or going through a university aviation program, where some financial aid might be on the table.
Bottom line: It’s a significant investment, but if you’re serious about flying for a living, it’s the fuel in your tank to get you there.
Commercial Pilot License
The commercial pilot certificate can be the next rating or license that you work on. Its a toss up between commercial or the instrument rating. The main difference is the commercial pilot license allows you to fly for hire or compensation. If you are pursuing a career in aviation, it is a must have pilot license in order to apply for any pilot position. This pilot license has the same requirements, a ground school and written knowledge test completion and a completed course of flying the plane.
Instrument Rating
The instrument rating pilot license is all about flying the aircraft solely in reference to the instruments in the cockpit. This is another level of flying and when you complete this rating you are free from a lot of constraints that the weather brings to private pilots. When you fly in reference to instruments it means you can basically go from one place to the other all in reference to your instruments. This opens up a whole new world and is a skill used daily for commercial pilots. If your goal is to fly for a living, this pilot license is essential.
Multi Engine Rating
The multi engine rating is an add on certificate that allows you to fly aircraft with multiple engines. This usually means twin engine aircraft. The flying is mostly geared towards learning what to do when you lose one of the engines. You will spend a lot of time on this skill and be tested on it as well. If you move on towards a commercial pilot job, this will be something you do over and over during your career. This pilot license will allow you to log the coveted multi engine time.
Certified Flight Instructor
The instructor rating allows you to teach other prospective pilot candidates how to fly. It is quite rewarding if you enjoy helping others and have some teaching skills. This step is just like the others and follows the ground school and flight school parameters. It has a check ride as do the other ratings or certificates and allows you to find more work since there is always a need for good instructors. Most flight instructors are eager to move on once they build time, however this is a very good pilot license to have.
Certified Instrument Flight Instructor
This is an advanced pilot license instructor rating which allows you to teach instrument rating students. This rating gives you a wider audience to market too and has all the same requirements. A wider audience means more students, you do not want to limit the amount of students you have because you do not have all the ratings you need.
Airline Transport Pilot
The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the top of the pile in regards to the licenses for pilots. It is the highest you can go and is also the most challenging. This is the final destination. Same requirements in regards to written tests and by this time you are pro at taking check rides. Once you reach this level, the only thing left is to start earning type ratings, which we will discuss next. The airline transport pilot rating is required to be a captain.
Restricted ATP (R-ATP) Certification
If you’re on the professional flight path but haven’t quite hit the 1,500-hour magic number or you’re under 23, there’s a stepping stone called the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot, or R-ATP, certificate. The R-ATP lets you work as a co-pilot (or “first officer”) for airlines before you’re eligible for the full ATP certificate. Think of it as the “junior varsity” version of the ATP—still serious business, but with a few limitations until you reach the top tier.
Who Can Get a Restricted ATP?
To be eligible, you’ll need to meet specific requirements depending on your training background:
- Military-trained pilots: You can qualify for an R-ATP with as few as 750 hours of total flight time.
- University/college aviation programs: Graduates from approved two-year or four-year degree aviation programs can be eligible with either 1,000 or 1,250 hours, depending on the length and structure of their degree.
- All R-ATP candidates: Must be at least 21 years old, hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, and pass the ATP written exam.
Remember, you won’t be able to act as captain until you’ve built enough hours and meet all the requirements for the unrestricted ATP certificate. But the R-ATP is a great way to get your foot in the cockpit door of an airline a little earlier, especially if you’ve followed the collegiate or military route.
Type Ratings
A type rating is an individual rating for a particular aircraft. It is attached to your ATP certificate once you complete the check ride. So if you are going to fly the Boeing 737, you would take the 737 type rating training and checkride. These are aircraft specific and almost always done by airlines or companies that require them.
They are pricey and most places include this type of training as part of your employment. If you are going to the airlines, you will be assigned a specific aircraft as your assignment along with a base. So if it is the 737, you would go to 737 school and learn that airplanes systems and standard operating procedures that are just for that plane. Different plane, different type rating. Some pilots collect them over their careers. They are a lot of work.
Current Job Outlook for Airline Pilots
The demand for airline pilots is experiencing a significant upswing, and industry experts predict that this trend will continue well into the next decade. Airlines, from established giants like Delta and United to regional carriers, are actively recruiting to address both growth and a wave of retirements. As more experienced pilots step down—thanks to mandatory retirement ages—the need for new aviators is growing faster than many training programs can fill.
A major factor fueling this demand is the shrinking pool of military-trained pilots feeding into commercial aviation. Whereas in previous decades, airlines often relied on military pilots transitioning to civilian jobs, the numbers from this traditional pipeline have reduced considerably. At the same time, the overall growth in travel—plus expansions by carriers like Southwest and JetBlue—means airlines are posting more openings for both new hires and experienced flight crew.
Salaries are reflecting this climate too. Entry-level pilots are seeing higher starting pay and signing bonuses, and experienced captains can command very competitive compensation packages. Whether you’re working toward your commercial certificate or just dreaming about the captain’s seat, the horizon looks promising. If ever there was a time to consider a career as an airline pilot, this is it.
Regional airline pilot salaries can vary quite a bit, but they have definitely improved in recent years thanks to industry-wide demand for qualified pilots. Many regionals are now offering attractive incentives to recruit new hires, including signing bonuses and tuition reimbursement.
For a first-year first officer at a regional airline, you can expect a salary somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000 per year, sometimes more if you include bonuses or special incentives. Major regionals, like SkyWest or Republic, may sweeten the pot even further, especially during hiring surges.
As you gain experience and move up to the captain’s seat, salaries rise substantially—often jumping into the $70,000–$100,000 range or higher, depending on the specific airline and the number of hours you fly. Add in benefits like per diem pay, health insurance, and retirement contributions, and the compensation package becomes even more attractive.
Of course, all of this depends on your schedule, the airline's contract, and other variables like base location and union agreements. But the bottom line is: regional airline flying can offer a solid career foundation and, these days, better pay than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are actual questions received and often asked on this site and on the internet. Now that you know the different types of pilot licenses you can expand your knowledge.
What are the three types of pilots?
As you can see from the descriptions above there really is not three different types of pilots, there are different levels. Private pilots and instrument pilots fall into the non professional pilots or pilots who cannot receive compensation. Once you attain the commercial pilot rating then you can legally start making an income from your skill set
How many type ratings can a pilot get?
There is no limit, if you are addicted to training and love being in the books, you could easily bid a new aircraft type every couple of years. It really depends on what your lifestyle looks like. My opinion is he who has the least amount of type ratings has the best seniority and has the most time off of anyone.
What are the differences between a CPL and PPL?
This is covered in the first question and there is no need to repeat that.
What are the different types of type ratings?
Any aircraft weighing in more than 12,500lbs requires a type rating. That is an exhaustive list of aircraft. Type ratings get added into a special section on your airline transport pilot certificate. There are a lot of types of pilot type rating.
What is a category 3 pilot?
There is no such thing as a category 3 pilot. There are three classes of medical certificates which may be what people are asking. First class medicals are the most stringent and are held by professional pilots and captains in most airlines. Second class medical certificates are usually held by first officers at 121 carriers. Third class medical certificates are usually for student pilots that are learning to fly.
What are the different types of airline pilots?
Airline pilots are trained to a specific aircraft under the type rating description made earlier. Each crew, captain and first officer are specifically trained on the type of aircraft they are flying. Airline pilots are referred to as professional pilots when in referencing types of pilot.
What does it take to get a job with a part 135 carrier?
Part 135 carriers are smaller carriers that do not operate under the part 121 regulations. They have their own specific operating procedures and tend to fly smaller non jet aircraft, although that is not always the case. Most likely the minimum required hours of flight time are also lower and generally start around 12oo hours total time. These minimums are set mostly by insurance companies.
What are the flight time requirements for a Part 121 carrier?
Each carrier is different and again insurance companies rule the world. However during certain times of pilot shortages, those minimum will vary in order to fill demand. See the carrier you are interested in to get an exact number. Keep in mind that number may fluctuate.
What is the most valuable flight time that I can have?
The best or most marketable flight time you can have in your logbook will be multi engine time. Multi time is very much sought after in regards to insurance companies standards. Most companies fly multi engine aircraft and there for want pilots with that kind of experience. The best multi engine time can also be multi engine turboprop or turbojet time.
Does turbine time make a difference in getting hired somewhere?
Turbine time is very valuable experience. Multi engine turbine time is even better. A company will look with favor on someone who has 200 hours of Beech King Air time over someone who has 200 hours of Cessna Caravan time. They both are turbines but the King Air is a multi engine aircraft.
Do flight instructors work as professional pilots?
Yes flight instructor pilots are referred to as instructor pilots in part 135 and part 121 carriers. Instructor pilots generally work in the training center facility and are responsible for both classroom instruction as well as simulator instruction. These jobs are great positions if you do not wish to fly as a line pilot and avoid all the rat race of working in the system.
A college degree is not required to become a professional pilot. Many airlines—especially regional carriers—focus more on your total flight time, type ratings, and quality of experience than on whether you have a diploma hanging on the wall. While some major airlines, such as Delta or United, may list a four-year degree as a preferred or “nice to have” qualification, plenty of pilots get hired and fly for years with only their licenses and ratings.
If you’ve got the flying chops, the right certificates, and a steady hand, you can build a solid career in aviation without ever having set foot in a college classroom. Just remember, requirements can vary from company to company and may change over time as the industry shifts—so always double-check with the airlines you’re targeting.
