The license you need depends on what you want to fly and whether you're paid to do it

If you arrived here from the driver's license section, you're looking at a completely different licensing system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues pilot licenses, not your state's motor vehicle department. The type of license you need depends on three things: the aircraft category (airplane, helicopter, glider), whether you want to carry passengers, and whether you'll be paid to fly.

The most common path is a Private Pilot License, which lets you fly an airplane and carry passengers, but you cannot be paid to fly. If you want to fly for compensation — as a charter pilot, flight instructor, or airline pilot — you need a Commercial Pilot License. If you want to fly helicopters instead of airplanes, you follow the same structure but with a helicopter rating. Most people start with Private Pilot and add ratings later.

Key Takeaways

  • A Private Pilot License lets you fly an airplane and carry passengers for free, but you cannot accept any payment for flying.
  • A Commercial Pilot License is required if you want to be paid to fly, including as a flight instructor or charter pilot.
  • You must be at least 17 years old, pass a written test, a practical flying test, and a medical exam from an FAA-approved doctor.
  • Training typically takes 60 to 100 hours of flight time and costs between $10,000 and $15,000 for a Private Pilot License.
  • You must hold a Private Pilot License before you can pursue a Commercial Pilot License.

Private Pilot License: the starting point for most pilots

A Private Pilot License is the entry-level certificate the FAA issues. It allows you to fly an airplane, carry passengers, and fly across the country — but you cannot accept any payment for flying, not even to split fuel costs. If someone offers you money or anything of value in exchange for flying, you've violated the rules of your license.

To get a Private Pilot License, you must be at least 17 years old (16 if you're training in a glider), pass an FAA medical exam, complete flight training with an instructor, log at least 60 hours of flight time (though most people need 70 to 100 hours), pass a written test called the Knowledge Test, and pass a practical flying test called a checkride. The checkride consists of an oral exam with an FAA examiner and a flight test where you demonstrate specific maneuvers and procedures.

Most people train at a local flight school or with a freelance instructor. The school or instructor will guide you through the written test preparation, schedule your checkride, and provide the aircraft for training. The entire process typically takes three to six months if you train regularly, though it can stretch longer if you train part-time.

Commercial Pilot License: required if you want to be paid

A Commercial Pilot License allows you to accept payment for flying. This includes flying charter flights, instructing other pilots, towing banners, or working toward an airline job. You cannot hold a Commercial Pilot License without first holding a Private Pilot License — the Commercial is always a step up, not a replacement.

To earn a Commercial Pilot License, you must hold a Private Pilot License, be at least 18 years old, pass another FAA medical exam, log at least 250 hours of flight time (including specific types of flying like cross-country flights and night flying), pass a written Knowledge Test, and pass another checkride. The checkride is more rigorous than the Private Pilot checkride — the examiner expects higher precision and faster decision-making.

Many pilots train for their Commercial License at the same flight school where they earned their Private License. The additional training typically takes two to four months and costs $5,000 to $10,000 on top of what you spent on your Private License. Some pilots work as flight instructors while building the 250 hours required, which helps offset the cost.

Helicopter and other aircraft ratings

If you want to fly a helicopter instead of an airplane, you follow the same licensing structure — Private Pilot, then Commercial — but with a helicopter rating. The written tests and medical requirements are the same, but your flight training and checkride are specific to helicopters. Helicopter training is typically more expensive than airplane training because helicopters cost more to operate.

You can also earn ratings for other aircraft categories: gliders, gyroplanes, and powered-lift aircraft. A glider rating is the least expensive to obtain because gliders don't have engines, so training costs are lower. Many pilots earn a glider rating as a stepping stone or as a separate pursuit. If you want to fly multiple types — say, both airplanes and helicopters — you earn separate ratings under the same license.

The medical exam and what disqualifies you

Before you can fly, you must pass an FAA medical exam from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The FAA maintains a list of approved AMEs on its website. The exam checks your vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, mental health history, and medication use. Most people pass without issue, but certain conditions can disqualify you or require special approval.

Common disqualifying conditions include untreated high blood pressure, diabetes requiring insulin, certain heart conditions, and a history of certain mental health diagnoses. Some medications also disqualify you — the FAA publishes a list of approved and prohibited medications. If you have a condition you're unsure about, you can ask an AME before you formally explore, or you can contact the FAA's Medical Certification Division for guidance.

If you're denied a medical certificate, you can request a special issuance, which means the FAA reviews your case individually. This process takes longer and may require additional testing, but many people are approved on special issuance. You do not need a medical certificate to fly a glider or a balloon, which is why some people with medical disqualifications pursue those ratings instead.

The written test and what to study

The FAA Knowledge Test for a Private Pilot License covers aerodynamics, weather, navigation, regulations, and aircraft systems. The test has 60 questions, and you have two hours to complete it. You need a score of 70 percent or higher to pass. The test is administered at testing centers, and you can schedule it online through the FAA's testing vendor.

Most flight schools provide study materials and practice tests. The FAA publishes official study guides, and several third-party companies sell test prep software and books. Many people study for four to eight weeks before taking the test. You do not need to pass the written test before you start flight training, but most instructors recommend passing it early so you can focus on flying during your lessons.

If you fail the test, you can retake it after 30 days. Your score is valid for 24 months, so you have two years to complete your checkride after passing the written test. If your score expires before you finish, you take the written test again.

The checkride: the practical flying test

The checkride is the final step to earning your license. It consists of two parts: an oral exam and a flight test. An FAA examiner (called a Designated Pilot Examiner or DPE) conducts both parts on the same day, usually lasting four to six hours total.

During the oral exam, the examiner asks questions about weather, navigation, regulations, and aircraft systems. You'll also review your flight plan and discuss how you'd handle various scenarios. The examiner is testing whether you understand the rules and can make safe decisions, not whether you can recite facts from memory — you're allowed to use references like charts and the FAA's regulations.

The flight test involves flying the aircraft with the examiner in the right seat. You'll demonstrate specific maneuvers — steep turns, stalls, slow flight — and show that you can navigate, manage the aircraft safely, and handle emergencies. The examiner may ask you to simulate an engine failure or a navigation problem to see how you respond. If you pass both the oral and the flight portions, you receive your license that day.

If you fail either portion, you can retake just the failed section after 14 days. Many pilots pass on their first attempt, but some need a second try. Your instructor will tell you when you're ready for the checkride — do not schedule it until your instructor signs off.

Cost, timeline, and what comes next

A Private Pilot License typically costs between $10,000 and $15,000 total, depending on your location and the flight school. This includes aircraft rental, instructor fees, fuel, written test fees, and checkride fees. Some flight schools charge by the hour; others charge a flat rate for the entire course. Costs vary significantly by region — training in rural areas is often cheaper than in major cities.

The timeline depends on how often you fly. If you train three to four times per week, you can earn your Private Pilot License in three to six months. If you train once a week, it may take a year or longer. The FAA requires a minimum of 60 hours of flight time, but the average is 70 to 100 hours, so plan accordingly.

After you earn your Private Pilot License, you can fly for personal travel, take friends and family on trips, and build experience. Many pilots then pursue a Commercial Pilot License, which opens the door to flying for compensation. Others earn additional ratings — an Instrument Rating (which lets you fly in clouds and low visibility) or a Multi-Engine Rating (which lets you fly aircraft with more than one engine). Each rating builds on your existing license and opens new possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly without a license?

No. Flying an aircraft without a pilot license is illegal and dangerous. The only exception is flying as a passenger in an aircraft piloted by a licensed pilot. If you want to fly an aircraft yourself, you must hold at least a Private Pilot License.

Do I need a driver's license to get a pilot license?

No. A pilot license and a driver's license are issued by different agencies and are independent of each other. You do not need a driver's license to become a pilot, though most pilots have both.

What's the difference between a Private Pilot and a Commercial Pilot?

A Private Pilot can fly for personal use and carry passengers for free, but cannot accept any payment. A Commercial Pilot can accept payment for flying. You must earn a Private Pilot License first before you can pursue a Commercial Pilot License.

How long does it take to get a pilot license?

Most people earn a Private Pilot License in three to six months if they train regularly (three to four times per week). If you train less frequently, it can take longer. The FAA requires a minimum of 60 hours of flight time, but most people need 70 to 100 hours.

What happens if I fail the checkride?

If you fail either the oral or the flight portion of the checkride, you can retake just the failed section after 14 days. You do not have to repeat the entire checkride. Your instructor will help you prepare for the retake.