1. Course Overview
AVN-1020
Fall 10
Session 1

2. Overview Syllabus and Schedule The FAA Aircraft Categories and Classes
Types of Pilots
Pilot Requirements

3. The FAA Who certifies and regulates pilots? The FAA regulates:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Division of US Dept of Transportation
The FAA regulates:
Airmen and maintenance personnel
Includes medical requirements
Aircraft (airplanes, balloons, airships, etc.)
Airport design and maintenance
Air Traffic Control and operations
Training & currency for all the above

4. Aircraft Categories & Classes
Category
Class
Airplane
Single Engine Land
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Sea
Multi Engine Sea
Rotocraft
Helicopters
Gyroplanes
Lighter – than - Air
Balloons
Airships
Powered Lift --
Gliders

5. The Pilot Profession What level of pilot do you want to be?
Depends on your purpose:
Hobby
Avocation
Primary Job
Career

6. FAA Pilot Certification
Depends upon level of competence required to operate an aircraft:
Hobby: Sport or Recreational Pilot
Avocation: Private Pilot
Job: Commercial Pilot
Career: Airline Transport Pilot

7. Pilot Certificates Sport Pilot: Recreational Pilot: Private Pilot:
Day, visual - only, local, low altitude
Two-seat, low-powered, simple aircraft
Recreational Pilot:
Day, visual - only, usually local
Four-seat, low-powered, simple aircraft
Private Pilot:
Day or night
Prop aircraft less than 12,500 pounds

8. Pilot Certificates (2) Commercial Pilot:
Day or night
Aircraft more than 12,500 pounds
Can carry passengers & cargo for hire
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP):
Day or night, international

9. Pilot Ratings Instrument: Enables flight into weather
Add-on to Private or Commercial Certificates
Required to be ATP
Multi-Engine:
Aircraft with more than one engine
“Type”:
Special aircraft (>12,500 lbs, jets, …)

10. Other Airplane Endorsements
Complex:
Variable prop, retractable gear & flaps
High Performance:
Greater than 200 horsepower
Tailwheel (“Traditional”):
Verses Tricycle
High Altitude:
Pressurized aircraft

11. Instructors Certified Ground Instructor
Basic – teach Sport, Recreational and Private
Instrument – teach Instruments
Advanced – teach any certificate
Certified Flight Instructor – “CFI”
SEL, MEL, SES, MES
Other categories and classes
Instrument – “CFII”

12. Requirements to be a Pilot
Pass FAA Medical Exam
Class 1: ATP, 12 months if under age 40, 6 months if over age 40
Class 2: Comm, 12 months
Class 3: Private, 60 months if under age 40, 24 months if over age 40
Duration dependent on Class & how used
Class 3 required to solo as a student
Read / speak English
US Citizen or TSA-approved
DUIs and drugs *

13. How to Succeed as a Pilot
It’s all about ATTITUDE
When you think you know it all, it’s time to study
When think you can do it perfectly, it’s time to practice
Remember only 1 of 500 Americans are pilots. It’s a privilege, not a right.

14. Questions?