subject: Pilot Certificates That Can Be Obtained Through Fort Lauderdale Flight Training Schools [print this page] In addition to many other airman certificates, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues pilot certificates to people who successfully complete certain stages of flight instruction and course training from a certified instructor. In addition to or as a part of the training, the flight student has to accumulate a certain amount of flight time and pass examinations. There are Fort Lauderdale flight training schools that can help the aspiring pilot obtain one or more of the various pilot certificates. Pilots who already have certification will also choose a Fort Lauderdale flight school for recertification, to upgrade their existing pilot certificates or to add endorsements. There are 6 basic types of pilot certificates that a student in a Fort Lauderdale flight school can obtain.
1.Student Pilot Certification
This is the first of the privilege levels that can be achieved at a Fort Lauderdale flight school. At this level, the student can fly under supervision of a certified flight instructor. The Student Pilot can only fly alone under very limited circumstances.
2.Sport Pilot Certification
At this privilege level, the pilot can operate Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) such as small airplanes, gliders, powered parachutes, balloons, airships and trikes. Trikes are a type of weight-shift control aircraft. Sport Pilot Certification can be obtained by completing certain programs at a Fort Lauderdale flight training school. If a pilot has a higher pilot certification than Sport Pilot, additional course completion within any of the Fort Lauderdale flight training schools is not necessary in order for the pilot to operate Light Sport Aircraft.
3.Recreational Pilot Certification
After specific course completion at one of the Fort Lauderdale flight training schools, this certification can be achieved and the pilot permitted to operate aircraft having up to 180 horsepower. The aircraft can have up to four seats and be flown during the daytime for recreational purposes only.
4.Private Pilot Certification
The most popular level of certification obtained through Fort Lauderdale flight training schools is the Private Pilot Certificate. At this privilege level, the pilot can operate any aircraft as long as the certification has the appropriate ratings obtained by completing requirements at a Fort Lauderdale flight school. A Private Pilot cannot be directly compensated for flight although passengers can share in the fuel and flight expenses. Private Pilots can carry passengers for business purposes.
5.Commercial Pilot Certification
At the Commercial Pilot level of privilege, the pilot can be compensated for flying aircraft. This level of certification requires more rigorous and in depth study at a Fort Lauderdale flight training school. Course study will be geared towards a deeper understanding of the operational systems of aircraft as well as standards of airmanship. There are still some restrictions placed on this level of certification although instrument ratings can be obtained through Fort Lauderdale flight training schools to alleviate some of them.
6.Airline Transport Pilot Certification
The Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest level of certification that can be obtained by course completion at a Fort Lauderdale flight school. The prerequisites for this certificate include a minimum of 1,500 logged hours of flight time, cross-country flight time totaling a minimum of 500 hours and 100 hours of flight time at night. With this certificate obtained through extensive study at a Fort Lauderdale flight training school, the pilot can serve as pilot-in-command.