AIRMAN CERTIFICATION

Overview

In this section you'll find information about Final Examination, Certificates and Ratings, and ADD-ON Ratings.

Final Examination

The practical test or check ride consists of an oral test and a flight test and will last about 2 to 3 hours depending on the pilot certificate and rating you have applied for.

For your convenience many flight schools have designated FAA examiners on staff. That means you'll be able to take your check ride directly at the flight school.

Certificates and Ratings

FAR 61.5 [Certificates and Ratings]

A) The following Certificates are issued under this part to an applicant who satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the certificate sought:

1. Pilot Certificates

   	Student Pilot
   	Recreational Pilot
   	Private Pilot
   	Commercial Pilot
   	Airline Transport Pilot

2. Flight Instructor Certificates
3. Ground Instructor Certificates

B) The following Ratings are placed on a Pilot Certificate (other than student pilot) when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

1. Aircraft Category Ratings

   	Airplane
   	Rotorcraft
   	Glider
   	Lighter-than-air
   	Powered-lift

2. Airplane Class Ratings

   	Single engine land
   	Multi engine land
   	Single engine sea
   	Multi engine sea

3. Rotorcraft Class Ratings

   	Helicopter
   	Gyroplane

4. Lighter-than-air Class Ratings

   	Airship
   	Balloon

5. Aircraft Type Ratings

   	Large aircraft (over 12 500 pounds), other than lighter-than-air
   	Turbojet-powered airplanes
   	Other aircraft type ratings specified by the Administrator (FAA) through the aircraft type certification procedures.

6. Instrument Ratings (on private and commercial pilot certificates only)

   	Instrument - Airplanes
   	Instrument - Helicopter
   	Instrument - Powered-lift

C) The following Ratings are placed on a Flight Instructor Certificate when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

1. Aircraft Category Ratings

   	Airplane
   	Rotorcraft
   	Glider
   	Powered-lift

2. Airplane Class Ratings

   	Single engine
   	Multi engine

3. Rotorcraft Class Ratings

   	Helicopter
   	Gyroplane

4. Instrument Ratings

   	Instrument - Airplane
   	Instrument - Helicopter
   	Instrument - Powered-lift

D) The following Ratings are placed on a Ground Instructor Certificate when an applicant satisfactorily accomplishes the training and certification requirements for the rating sought:

	Basic
	Advanced
	Instrument

ADD-ON Ratings

You hold already a pilot certificate (issued by the FAA or by a foreign country that is also a member of the ICAO) and want to obtain an additional category or class rating.

For example:

You have a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single engine class rating and want to obtain a multi engine rating or a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating.

In this case some of your previous flight experience will be credited towards your new rating!

Copyright © , Ing. Guenther Geretschnig. All rights reserved.