| There are two types of certificates available for the | | | | than 180 horsepower engines, and only up to four |
| beginning pilot. These certificates., called licenses, are | | | | seats. Two of those seats are going to stay empty, |
| the recreational pilot or the private pilot license. | | | | as you are not allowed to have more than one |
| Although there are many similarities between the two, | | | | passenger. |
| there are also some significant differences. The | | | | Although this seems to be fairly restrictive, it is not |
| recreational pilot is generally restricted to a fifty mile | | | | such a bad deal as far as training is concerned, and |
| radius of his home airport. He also may not fly at night, | | | | puts flying within the reach of just about anyone with a |
| nor may he fly in air space requiring communication | | | | serious interest in learning to do it. Most areas are |
| with air traffic control. The advantages of the | | | | going to have a training school nearby. The training |
| recreational license are a shorter training time, thirty | | | | schools are going to also have aircraft of the required |
| hours compared to forty for the private pilot, and this | | | | size available for training purposes or for rental after |
| translates into a major cost savings. The major reason | | | | the certificate is earned. The schools will provide all the |
| for the reduced training time is that instrument flying, | | | | pilot supplies, and aircraft supplies that are needed as |
| and air traffic control communication training is left out. | | | | well. |
| It is important to note that it is easy to upgrade from | | | | Once the recreational pilot has completed his training, |
| the recreational to the private pilot license , and usually | | | | he will be able to take short flights from time to time. |
| involves merely making up the deleted hours of training. | | | | Flying like any other skill requires practice, and until the |
| Both licenses have the following minimum requirements: | | | | pilot has logged at least 400 hours of solo flying, he is |
| ----You must be 16 years of age in order to fly solo | | | | required to make three take offs and three landings |
| ----You must be at least 17 to get the private pilot | | | | every ninety days in order to be allowed to take |
| license | | | | passengers. |
| ----You must be able to read, speak, and understand | | | | Flying is an exhilarating activity, and it is not that far out |
| English | | | | of the reach of the average person. It is also a very |
| ----You must have a minimum of a third class medical | | | | dangerous activity, and the margin of error is not that |
| certificate | | | | high. The first and most important step to insure the |
| There are some other limitations that need to be | | | | safety of yourself, and those who may fly with you, is |
| considered when selecting the recreational license. You | | | | good training. Cost and the availability of good aviation |
| may only fly during the day, and then in only good | | | | supplies are an important consideration in selecting a |
| weather. You also may not fly over 10,000 feet, | | | | flight training school, but a good reputation is even |
| however, the FAA is usually understanding if you | | | | better. Make your choice as if your life depends on |
| happen to have a 11,000 foot mountain in your path. | | | | making the right one. |
| You also are limited to single engine planes with less | | | | |