Various Pilot Qualifications To Know

Are you planning to join a flying school but confused about the requirements and qualifications? We feel you. 

There are certain things you need to get straight to become a good pilot. One of those aspects is becoming qualified.

Firstly, you need to be clear with your plans. For instance, ask yourself you want to become a helicopter pilot or a commercial pilot as the qualifications and processes for both will differ. Accordingly, you can decide which pilot classes to opt for. 

But before that, you need to know the various pilot qualifications to become a certified pilot. 

Let’s have a look at such qualifications in this article. 

First Things First

To become a certified commercial pilot, you do not need any specific set of degrees. But, a lot of patience and perseverance are essential. 

However, to fly a commercial as a First Officer with an airline, you will have to cover these basic requirements:

• A legitimate passport without any limitations.
• An ATPL License.
• A Class One Medical Eligibility.
• You must be allowed to live and work in the Airline company’s country.
• Above 18 years of age
• Proficient in the English language.

Education

You must meet at least one of these criteria, or equivalent:

• 10+2 with threshold percentage (depends on airline company)
• A private pilot certificate plus a GED or high school confirmation
• A 2.5 GPA Aggregate with a diploma from high school
• Must have at least 24 hours of college from a registered flight training institution.

Criminal Record Verification

Prior to training, you will be required to submit a criminal record check declaration certificate (CRC). 

Additional Requirements

• One must pass an FAA Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test with at least 70%.
• The candidate must pass an FAA Practical Flight Test with the pilot examiner of your choice (DPE). The test consists of an oral exam and review ride, as outlined in the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

Aeronautical Proficiency Qualifications for Commercial Pilot Applicants

As per 14 CFR 61.129 , commercial pilots who are training under Part 61 must be able to complete at least 250 hours of training, and includes the following:

• 100 hours of flight period in a powered aircraft which consists of 50 hours in aircraft.
• 100 hours of pilot-in-command flying time that includes at a minimum-
• Fifty hours of flying;
• 50 hours of crossing-nation flights, during which at most 10 hours are required on airplanes.
• 20 hours of instruction in the areas of at the very least
  • 10-hours of training for apparatus using the view-limiting device, such as flying in the attitude instrument, part panel training, and recovery from changing flying attitudes, as well as interception and tracking navigational procedures
  • 10 hours of flight instruction in a complicated plane, turbine-powered aircraft, or a technologically advanced aircraft (TAA);
• 2 hours of cross-country flight throughout the day, encompassing an overall straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles starting from the original departure location.
• A 2-hour cross-country flight at night, achieving the straight-line distance of over 100 nautical miles starting from the initial point of departure.
• 3 hours instruction in flight with an instructor who is authorized within 2 months of passing the test in practice
• 10 hours of solo flight time in total, or 10 hours to perform the duties of a pilot under command along with an authorized instructor in the area of operation:
  • Cross-country flights that are more than 300 nautical miles and landings in a minimum of three locations, one being a straight line minimum distance 250 nautical miles away from the original departure point as well as
  • Five hours of nighttime VFR conditions, 10 takeoffs, and ten landings, all with an operational control tower on an airport.

Final Word

Pilot training comes with a set of responsibilities and implications. So, be patient and acquire the qualifications mentioned above to become a certified pilot.