Pilot Certificates

Private Pilot

A Private Pilot’s Certificate will allow you to take friends and family anywhere in the world you choose. This is the first step in your aviation training. By becoming a Private Pilot you will be able to fly most single engine airplanes, day or night. Additional training from a qualified Flight Instructor will allow you to fly high performance aircraft, complex aircraft and tailwheel aircraft. To fly multi-engine aircraft additional training and another practical exam is required.

Requirements: Private Pilot

17 years of age
Private written exam
FAA Third class medical
40 flight hours
- 20 hours dual (with instructor)
  - 3 flight hours cross country
  - 3 flight hours of simulated instrument flight conditions
  - 3 flight hours at night
- 10 flight hours solo
  - 5 flight hours cross-country

Costs: Private Pilot

40 hours in aircraft-: $4,240
20 hours dual in aircraft-: $700
10 hours pre/post briefings with instructor-: $350
Private Pilot Kit and books-: $260
Knowledge Test (Written Exam) -: $150
Headset, Kneeboard, & Charts-: $280
Checkride-: $400
Total-: $6,380

Instrument Rating

The instrument rating is a great addition to a Private Pilot’s Certificate. It gives you the ability to fly through the clouds, and is useful when you can now climb through a layer of clouds to proceed to your destination. The instrument rating will teach you many new skills, you will learn the in’s and out’s of the air traffic control system and gain the ability to fly solely on the flight instruments and navigation systems.

Requirements: Instrument Rating

17 years of age
Private Pilot Certificate
Instrument written exam
FAA Third class medical
50 flight hours PIC cross-country
40 flight hours actual or simulated instrument conditions
15 flight hours dual
250 nm cross-country

Costs: Instrument Rating

45 hours cross-country-: $4,770
35 hours simulated instrument-: $3,710
35 hours dual flight-: $1,225
10 hours pre/post briefings with instructor-: $350
Books and charts-: $250
Knowledge Test (Written Exam)-: $150
Checkride-: $400
Total-: $10,855

Multi Engine Rating

The multi-engine rating can be added to a Private Pilot’s or Commercial Pilot’s Certificate. The multi-engine training will tone up your flying skills and give you the ability to another class of aircraft. During multi-engine training you will learn how to fly the aircraft with both engines running, as well as with only one engine running. The sight of looking out on the wing and seeing the propeller stopped is quite the experience.

Requirements: Multi Engine Rating

Private Pilot Certificate
- (you can get your initial Private license in a multi– but uncommon)
No written exam
FAA Third class medical
3 hours of preparation for the checkride

Costs: Multi Engine Rating

8 hours multi engine -: $1,616
8 hours dual flight-: $320
5 hours pre/post briefings with instructor-: $200
Books and charts-: $75
Checkride-: $400
Total-: $2,611

Commercial Pilot

Becoming a Commercial Pilot allows you to receive compensation for flying. Some examples of for hire pilot positions are: Airline Pilot, Cropduster, Flight Instructor, and Skydiver Pilot. This certificate trains you to become the master of the flight controls and maneuver the aircraft in a professional manner. A second class medical is needed if you plan to use your commercial certificate for hire.

Requirements: Commercial Pilot

18 years of age
Private Pilot Certificate
Commercial written exam
FAA Third class medical (Second class if using certificate)
250 flight hours total time
- 100 flight hours PIC
  - 50 flight hours in airplanes
  - 50 flight hours PIC cross-country
- 20 flight hours dual
  - 10 flight hours instrument training
  - 10 flight hours in a complex aircraft
  - 100 nm / 2 flight hours day cross-country
  - 100 nm / 2 flight hours night cross-country
- 10 flight hours solo
  - 300 nm cross-country
  - 5 flight hours at night

Costs: Commercial Pilot

250 total time-: $0-12,000
10 hours in complex aircraft-: $1,690
10 hours dual-: $350
Written-: $150
Checkride-: $400
Total-: $2,590

The 250 hours for total time will include the time acquired during the private and instrument training. Depending on how you build this time the costs will vary.

Certified Flight Instructor

To earn your Certified Flight Instructor’s Certificate you must complete intensive training and learn all there is to learn about pilot training and be able to teach your knowledge. With your Flight Instructors Certificate you will be able to watch the accomplishments and joys from many new pilots as they go through the process of becoming a licensed pilot. The rewards are endless and well worth all the time spent acquiring this certificate. A Flight Instructor Certificate allows you to build time while being paid and is a good step for those looking to move on the airlines or another career in aviation.

Requirements: Certified Flight Instructor

18 years of age
Commercial Pilot Certificate and Instrument rating
Instructor and Fundamentals of Instruction written exam
FAA Third class medical
15 flight hours PIC in category and class aircraft for rating sought

Costs: Certified Flight Instructor

15 flight hours-: $2,535
15 hours dual-: $525
20 hours dual ground-: $700
Writtens-: $200
Books-: $75
Checkride-: $600
Total-: $4,735

Airline Transport Pilot

An Airline Transport Pilot Certificate allows you to operate as a captain for an airline or charter company. The ATP Certificate may also be a hiring minimum for some companies. The ATP requires higher flight times and more precise flying skills.

Requirements: Airline Transport Pilot

23 years of age
Commercial Pilot Certificate and Instrument rating
ATP written exam
FAA Third class medical (First class if using certificate)
1500 flight hours total time (including many requirements within that time)
15 flight hours PIC in category and class aircraft for rating sought

Costs: Airline Transport Pilot

5 flight hours-: $1,010
5 hours dual-: $200
Written-: $150
Checkride-: $500
Total-: $1,860

All prices above are an estimate and subject to change. Some of the flight time may be combined to reduce costs. You may require more flight time than the FAA minimums, therefore costing a different amount. A Steel City Aviation, LLC Instructor can give you input on how to combine flight time to keep your costs to a minimum.