Here is a breakdown of pilots’ licenses.

Sport Pilot: If you’d like to save some time and money, or if you are concerned you won’t pass the medical exam, this license is for you. The minimum flight time required is 20 hours; however, it usually takes a bit more. There are limitations with any license, but the big ones for sport pilots are that you can only fly LSA (light sport aircraft) and you are restricted to carrying one passenger. It also restricts you for further licenses or ratings.

If you are looking to fly more than one person, interested in flying in the clouds, or considering a career in aviation, you will want to start with the Private Pilot license. Below we will take you step-by-step through the normal training progression for a career in aviation.

Step 1 – Private Pilot License: Most people begin with this license in a single-engine airplane, such as a Cessna 172 or Citabria. This first license is a prerequisite to continue on to other pilot certificates. You will acquire a minimum of 40 hours; however, the national average is 65-85 hours. We have our own syllabus built for 50 hours. Estimated cost varies, but based on the national average you can expect between $9,500-$12,000.

Step 2 – Instrument Rating: After learning to fly and all the components that go with it, next you’ll learn how to fly in the clouds! Although it is hard work, the reward is great – stunning views and a strong sense of accomplishment. The minimum time of simulated or actual instrument flying is 40 hours. We have simulators in Monterey and San Jose, which are great training options that help reduce cost.

Step 3 – Commercial Pilot License: After a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, you can earn your commercial certificate. To be hired as a pilot, you need this license. If you don’t have an instrument rating prior to this license, you will have some restrictions on commercial flying. For commercial pilot training there is much more focus on ground work, so be prepared to study the fine points of aircraft systems, performance, weight & balance, high altitude operations, Federal Regulations, and decision making. The air work part is quite fun as you’ll learn performance maneuvers such as chandelle, lazy 8, steep spiral and more.

Career options then are:

Flight Instructor: The initial flight instructor (CFI) certificate can be obtained immediately after you receive your commercial pilot license, with a bit more training to fly from the right seat. If you know you will be going on to CFI, you can combine Commercial & CFI training to complete both simultaneously. As with your commercial license, you can add ratings to your flight instructor certificate, CFII and MEI, instrument instructor and multi-engine instructor.

Multi-engine Rating: If you plan to fly a twin a some point in your career, you should add your multi-engine rating after your commercial checkride. Training takes approximately 10 hours of flight time, but this varies based on your recency and study habits.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP): To fly for part 121 airline or part 135 charter companies, you’ll generally need the ATP license. First you must acquire 1500 hours of flight time. In addition, new regulations were instituted a few years ago that require multi-engine ATP applicants to take a training course before they can take the written exams.

Endorsements can be added throughout your training when you want to fly more interesting aircraft. A few of these endorsements are as follows:

• High-Performance Aircraft: You’ll need training and an instructor’s sign off to fly an aircraft with more than 200 horsepower.
• Complex Aircraft: For commercial pilot training, you are required to fly a minimum of 10 hours and complete some of the checkride in a complex airplane. The endorsement consists of training you on complex systems – constant-speed propeller, retractable landing gear, and flaps.
• Tailwheel Aircraft: AeroDynamic Aviation is one of the few flight schools in the country still training people in the art of flying taildraggers, including beginning Private and Sport pilots. For those of you who have yet to receive their tailwheel endorsement, we have a full syllabus and very qualified instructors. Expect 10-15 hours of flight training.