What License You Need to Fly a Plane or Helicopter

The license you need depends on what you want to fly

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues different pilot licenses based on the aircraft type and how you plan to use it. If you want to fly a small plane recreationally, you need a Private Pilot License. If you want to fly for money — as a charter pilot, flight instructor, or airline pilot — you need a Commercial Pilot License. If you want to fly a helicopter instead of a fixed-wing plane, you get a separate license for that aircraft type. The license you hold determines what you can legally do in the air and what you cannot.

Before you can get any pilot license, you must first earn a Student Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate lets you fly solo — alone in the aircraft — while you are still learning. You cannot carry passengers or fly for compensation with a student certificate. Most people hold a student certificate for several months while they build flight hours and prepare for their written exam and practical test.

Key Takeaways

A Student Pilot Certificate is your first step and allows you to fly solo while learning, but you cannot carry passengers or fly for money.
A Private Pilot License lets you fly small aircraft for personal use and carry passengers, but you cannot be paid to fly.
A Commercial Pilot License allows you to fly for compensation, but requires more flight hours and training than a private license.
You must pass a written knowledge test, an oral exam with an FAA examiner, and a practical flying test called a checkride to earn any pilot license.
Different aircraft types — planes, helicopters, seaplanes — require separate licenses or ratings added to your existing license.

How to get a Student Pilot Certificate

To earn a Student Pilot Certificate, you must be at least 16 years old and able to read, speak, write, and understand English. You will need to visit an FAA office or an authorized examiner and provide a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship or permanent residency. The FAA will issue the certificate on the spot if you meet these basic requirements — there is no test or waiting period.

Once you have your student certificate, you can begin flight training with a certified flight instructor. The instructor will teach you in a real aircraft or a flight simulator, depending on the school. You will learn to control the plane, navigate using charts and instruments, manage fuel and weight, and handle emergencies. Most student pilots fly 40 to 60 hours before they are ready to take their private pilot checkride, though some take longer.

Private Pilot License: flying for yourself

A Private Pilot License is the most common license for people who want to fly small planes as a hobby or for personal transportation. With this license, you can fly anywhere in the United States (and internationally, depending on agreements), carry passengers, and use the aircraft for personal trips. You cannot charge anyone for flying them or for the cost of fuel — that crosses into commercial flying and requires a different license.

To earn a Private Pilot License, you must have at least 60 flight hours (though 70 is more typical), pass a written knowledge test called the FAA Knowledge Test, pass an oral exam with an FAA examiner called the oral or "oral exam," and pass a practical flying test called a checkride. The checkride includes both an oral portion where the examiner asks you questions about weather, regulations, and aircraft systems, and a flying portion where you demonstrate skills like takeoffs, landings, and emergency procedures. The entire process usually takes 6 to 12 months.

Commercial Pilot License: flying for money

A Commercial Pilot License allows you to fly for compensation. This means you can be paid to fly passengers, fly cargo, conduct aerial photography, or work as a flight instructor. You must already hold a Private Pilot License before you can earn a Commercial Pilot License — the commercial license builds on the private license rather than replacing it.

The Commercial Pilot License requires a minimum of 250 total flight hours, including specific types of flying like cross-country flights and night flying. You must pass the same written knowledge test, oral exam, and checkride as the private license, but the standards are higher. For example, your landings must be more precise, your navigation must be more accurate, and you must demonstrate more advanced emergency procedures. Most pilots spend 2 to 4 months training for the commercial license after they already have their private license.

Ratings and endorsements for different aircraft

A rating is a qualification added to your pilot license that allows you to fly a specific type of aircraft. The most common ratings are for single-engine planes, multi-engine planes, and helicopters. If you earn your private pilot license in a single-engine plane, you can only fly single-engine planes until you add a multi-engine rating. Adding a rating requires additional training and another checkride, but it is shorter than earning a new license from scratch.

An endorsement is a simpler qualification that allows you to fly under certain conditions or in certain aircraft. For example, a high-altitude endorsement lets you fly planes with pressurized cabins, and a tailwheel endorsement lets you fly older aircraft with a different landing gear setup. Endorsements usually require just a few hours of training and sign-off from your flight instructor — no checkride required.

Medical certificate requirements

Before you can fly solo as a student, and before you can use your private or commercial pilot license, you must hold a valid medical certificate from the FAA. The FAA issues three classes of medical certificates: First Class (required for airline pilots), Second Class (required for commercial pilots), and Third Class (required for private pilots). Most private pilots hold a Third Class medical certificate.

To get a medical certificate, you must visit an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) — a doctor approved by the FAA — and complete a medical exam. The exam checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and medical history. The AME will ask about any conditions you have had, medications you take, and surgeries you have had. Most people pass the exam without issue, but some medical conditions can disqualify you or require special permission from the FAA. The medical certificate is valid for different lengths of time depending on your age and the class of certificate — typically 24 months for a Third Class certificate if you are under 40.

Written test, oral exam, and checkride

Every pilot license requires you to pass three separate tests. The written knowledge test (also called the FAA Knowledge Test) covers regulations, weather, navigation, aircraft systems, and emergency procedures. You take this test at an approved testing center on a computer, and you have 2.5 hours to answer 60 questions. Most people study for 20 to 40 hours using study guides, online courses, or flight school materials.

The oral exam is a conversation between you and an FAA examiner (called a Designated Pilot Examiner or DPE) that usually lasts 1 to 2 hours. The examiner asks you questions about weather interpretation, aircraft performance, regulations, and how you would handle different scenarios. This is not a memorized test — the examiner wants to know that you understand the concepts, not just the facts.

The checkride is the practical flying test where you actually fly the aircraft with the examiner in the right seat. The checkride usually lasts 2 to 3 hours and includes normal procedures (takeoff, cruise, landing), emergency procedures (engine failure, fire, system failures), and navigation tasks. You must demonstrate that you can fly safely and make good decisions. If you pass all three parts, you earn your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly a plane without a license?

No. Flying an aircraft without a pilot license is illegal under federal law. The only exception is if you are flying under the direct supervision of a certified flight instructor who holds the appropriate ratings. Even then, the instructor must be in the aircraft with you.

How much does it cost to get a pilot license?

The cost varies widely depending on where you train and what aircraft you use. A Private Pilot License typically costs between $8,000 and $15,000 in total, including flight hours, instruction, tests, and medical exam. Some flight schools charge more, and some less. A Commercial Pilot License adds another $5,000 to $10,000 on top of that.

How long does it take to get a pilot license?

Most people earn a Private Pilot License in 6 to 12 months of regular training. If you train full-time at a flight school, you might finish in 2 to 3 months. If you train part-time on weekends, it could take a year or longer. The time depends on how often you fly, how quickly you learn, and how busy your flight school is.

Do I need a license to fly a drone or ultralight?

Drones under 55 pounds require a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA, not a traditional pilot license. Ultralight aircraft (very small, slow planes) have different rules depending on how you use them. Check with the FAA or a local flight school about the specific requirements for the aircraft you want to fly.

What happens if my medical certificate expires?

Your pilot license remains valid, but you cannot legally fly until you renew your medical certificate. You must visit an Aviation Medical Examiner again and pass the medical exam. If you have developed a medical condition that disqualifies you, you may need to request a special authorization from the FAA before you can fly again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.