An airman certificate is your legal permission to fly an aircraft

An airman certificate is a document issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that proves you are trained and tested to operate an aircraft. It is not a license in the way a driver's license is — it does not expire on a set date, and you do not renew it like a car registration. Instead, the FAA issues it once you pass the required knowledge test, practical flying test, and medical exam, and it remains valid as long as you meet certain ongoing requirements.

The certificate comes in different types depending on what you want to fly and how you want to use it. A private pilot certificate lets you fly for personal reasons but not for money. A commercial pilot certificate lets you fly for compensation. A sport pilot certificate covers lighter aircraft with fewer training hours required. Each type has its own training path, test requirements, and rules about what you can and cannot do in the air.

The certificate itself is a small plastic card, similar in size to a driver's license. You carry it with you whenever you fly. If you are stopped by an FAA inspector or law enforcement, you must show it on demand, just as you would show a driver's license. Flying without a valid airman certificate is illegal and can result in fines and criminal charges.

Key Takeaways

  • An airman certificate is issued by the FAA after you pass a written test, a practical flying test with an examiner, and a medical exam.
  • The certificate does not expire on a calendar date; instead, you must maintain currency by flying regularly and meeting recurrent training rules.
  • Different certificate types exist for different purposes — private pilot for personal flying, commercial pilot for paid flying, and sport pilot for lighter aircraft.
  • You must carry your airman certificate whenever you fly, and flying without one is illegal.
  • The FAA can revoke or suspend your certificate if you violate aviation rules, fail a medical exam, or commit certain crimes.

The three types of airman certificates you are most likely to encounter

The private pilot certificate is the most common. It allows you to fly single-engine or multi-engine aircraft for personal reasons — taking friends on a trip, flying to another city for vacation, or practicing your skills. You cannot be paid to fly, and you cannot carry passengers for compensation. To earn it, you typically need 60 to 70 hours of flight training, though many people need more. You must pass a written test covering weather, navigation, regulations, and aircraft systems; a practical test (called a checkride) with an FAA examiner; and a medical exam.

The commercial pilot certificate is the next step up. It allows you to fly for money — you can be paid to transport passengers, conduct aerial photography, or perform other flying jobs. The training is more intensive than private pilot training, usually requiring 250 or more flight hours. You must pass the same types of tests as a private pilot, but the practical test is longer and covers more complex scenarios. Many people earn a private pilot certificate first, then add a commercial certificate later.

The sport pilot certificate is a lighter option for people who want to fly but do not need to carry many passengers or fly complex aircraft. It covers light sport aircraft — small, straightforward planes that weigh less than 1,320 pounds. The training requirement is lower, usually 20 to 30 hours, and the written and practical tests are less demanding. The tradeoff is that you can only fly during the day, in good weather, and you cannot fly above 10,000 feet or over congested areas.

How you get an airman certificate: the step-by-step path

The first step is to find a flight school or an independent flight instructor. Flight schools are businesses that provide aircraft, instructors, and classroom training all in one place. Independent instructors work alone and may rent you an aircraft from a local airport. Either way, you need someone certified by the FAA to teach you. During this phase, you learn to fly, study regulations and weather, and log your flight hours in a logbook.

Once your instructor believes you are ready — usually after 60 to 70 hours for private pilot — you take a written test called the Knowledge Test. You can take this at a testing center, and it covers regulations, weather, navigation, aircraft systems, and aerodynamics. You have three hours to answer roughly 60 multiple-choice questions. You must score at least 70 percent to pass. Many people study using online courses, books, or test prep software before sitting for this exam.

After you pass the written test, you schedule a practical test with an FAA examiner called a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). The DPE is a private pilot or instructor authorized by the FAA to conduct checkrides. The practical test has two parts: an oral exam where the DPE asks you questions about flying, weather, and regulations, and a flight portion where you actually fly the aircraft while the DPE observes. The whole checkride usually takes four to six hours. You must demonstrate that you can fly safely and follow all the rules.

Finally, you must pass a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The AME is a doctor trained by the FAA to evaluate pilot health. The exam checks your vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, mental health history, and medication use. For a private pilot, you need at least a third-class medical certificate. The exam costs money — usually between $100 and $200 — and is not covered by insurance. Once you pass all three parts, the FAA issues your airman certificate.

How to stay current after you receive your certificate

Your airman certificate does not expire, but it only remains valid if you meet currency requirements. Currency means you have flown recently enough to stay sharp and legal. For a private pilot, you must fly at least three takeoffs and landings within the past 90 days to carry passengers. If you have not flown in more than 90 days, you can still fly alone, but you cannot take anyone with you until you do three more landings.

You also must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months. A flight review is a training session with an instructor where you review regulations, fly the aircraft, and demonstrate that you still know how to fly safely. It is not a test you pass or fail — if the instructor thinks you need more training, you do more training until you are ready. The flight review typically costs $200 to $500 and takes two to three hours.

Your medical certificate has its own expiration date. A third-class medical for a private pilot is valid for 60 calendar months if you are over 40 years old, or 12 calendar months if you are under 40. You must renew it by visiting an AME before it expires. If your medical expires, your airman certificate is no longer valid for flying, even though the certificate card itself does not expire.

What can cause the FAA to revoke or suspend your certificate

The FAA can take away your airman certificate if you violate aviation rules or if your medical status changes. Common reasons include flying under the influence of alcohol or drugs, flying an aircraft that is not airworthy, violating airspace rules, or failing to follow instructions from air traffic control. If you are caught doing these things, the FAA can suspend your certificate for a set period or revoke it permanently.

Your certificate is also suspended automatically if your medical certificate expires or if you fail a medical exam. If a doctor finds that you have a condition that makes flying unsafe — such as a heart condition, uncontrolled diabetes, or certain mental health conditions — your medical certificate will be denied or revoked. You can appeal a medical denial or revocation, but the process is lengthy and requires documentation from your own doctor.

Criminal convictions can also lead to certificate revocation. If you are convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors — including drug offenses, crimes of violence, or crimes involving dishonesty — the FAA can revoke your certificate. You must also report certain arrests and convictions to the FAA within 10 days, or you face additional penalties.

The difference between an airman certificate and a medical certificate

These are two separate documents, and you need both to fly legally. The airman certificate proves you have the training and knowledge to operate an aircraft. The medical certificate proves that you are physically and mentally fit to fly. You can have a valid airman certificate but an expired or invalid medical certificate, in which case you cannot fly. Conversely, you cannot have a valid medical certificate without an airman certificate — the medical is only useful if you have the training to back it up.

The medical certificate comes in three classes. A first-class medical is the most stringent and is required for commercial pilots who fly for an airline. A second-class medical is for commercial pilots who do not fly for an airline. A third-class medical is for private pilots and sport pilots. Each class has different vision, hearing, and health standards. The AME will tell you which class you are may be able to access for based on your health history and exam results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an airman certificate?

Most people take three to six months from their first flight lesson to checkride, depending on how often they fly and how quickly they learn. Some people finish in two months if they fly several times a week; others take a year or more if they fly once a month. The written test can be taken as soon as you feel ready, but you cannot take the practical test until your instructor signs off that you are prepared.

What happens if I fail the written test or the checkride?

You can retake the written test as many times as you need. There is no waiting period between attempts, though you must pay the testing fee each time. If you fail the practical test, you can retake it after additional training. The DPE will tell you what areas need work. Many people pass on their second or third attempt.

Can I fly if my medical certificate is expired but my airman certificate is still valid?

No. You must have both a valid airman certificate and a valid medical certificate to fly. If your medical expires, you cannot fly until you renew it with an AME. Flying with an expired medical is illegal and can result in fines and certificate revocation.

Do I need an airman certificate to fly a drone?

No. Small recreational drones are regulated separately by the FAA and do not require an airman certificate. However, if you want to fly drones commercially or operate a drone that weighs more than 55 pounds, you must pass a knowledge test and obtain a Part 107 remote pilot certificate, which is different from an airman certificate.

What is the cost of getting an airman certificate?

The total cost varies widely depending on your location and the flight school you choose. Flight training typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 for a private pilot certificate, including aircraft rental, instructor fees, and fuel. Add $200 to $400 for the written test and checkride fees, and $100 to $200 for the medical exam. Some people spend more if they need extra training or if they live in an area with higher costs.