How to Become a Recreational Pilot

Guide Note

If you'd like to get a private pilot certificate but you're worried about the time and money you'll need to invest in your license, think about getting certified as a recreational pilot. A recreational pilot requires fewer hours of instruction before getting a license. This does result in limitations on when and where you can fly, but you'll still be flying your very own single-engine plane. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to become a certified recreational pilot.

Table of Contents

Mahalo Daily: How to Become a Recreational Pilot

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Bob MacInnes)
(Creative Commons photo by Bob MacInnes)
  • Do you ever drive by the airport and wish you were flying away in one of those planes? No need to go green with envy any longer; it's very easy to get your pilot's certificate. Most people know about getting licensed as a private pilot, and a few others have heard of special certificates for piloting light sport aircraft. However, there is another class of pilot certification: recreational pilot. A recreational pilot is certified to fly single-engine planes. Since the certificate is acquired in less time, there are restrictions on when and where you can fly. But a recreational certificate can be a great way to get into the sky.
  • Read the following section to see if it's the right path for you.

The Basics of a Recreational Pilot Certificate

  • The basic requirements for a recreational pilot certificate are the same as for other types: you must be 17 and able to read and write English. Unlike a sport pilot, who is only permitted to fly light sport aircraft, a recreational pilot can fly any single-engine plane. But a recreational certificate has many limitations as compared to a private license, since the instructional time is substantially lower (30 hours vs. 40 hours for a private pilot). Read on to make sure getting a recreational pilot certificate is right for you.
(Photo by Dominic Morel)
(Photo by Dominic Morel)
  • Recreational Pilot
  1. Training time: 30 hours.
  2. Must get medical certificate before you can fly solo.
  3. Limited to daytime flights.
  4. Permitted only one passenger.
  5. Must only fly single-engine planes.
  6. No long trips: must remain within 50 nautical miles of your home airport (where you took lessons).
  7. Cannot fly in airspace where air traffic control communications are needed.
    • Good for: People who want to fly short trips near their home base, and who will appreciate the savings that come with a shorter training period. Plus, if you decide later you want to change your certification, you'll already be well on your way—you can apply your recreational pilot hours to getting your private pilot's license!
  • Private Pilot
  1. Training time: 40 hours, although many students fly up to 70 hours before getting certified.
    • The required time drops to 35 hours in an FAA-approved school, but since most students take more than 40 hours of training anyway, the reduced licensing time is often moot.
  2. Must get medical certificate to fly solo.
  3. No limit on aircraft, number of passengers, or when you can fly (although some flying conditions may require you to have additional training).
    • Good for: Pilots who want to be able to fly where they want, what they want and when they want—and who do not have limits on the time and money they can spend to get a pilot's license.
    • Visit Mahalo's guide to getting your private pilot certificate for more information.
  • Sport Pilot
  1. Training time: 20 hours.
  2. Can only fly light sport aircraft.
  3. Can only carry one passenger.
  4. Must fly below 10,000 feet.
  5. Can only fly during the day.
    • Good for: Pilots on a budget. Sport planes are less expensive aircraft—and getting a sport pilot license takes less time. However, the restrictions (type of aircraft, limit to one passenger) may be constraining for many potential pilots. If you don't have a lot of time or money and just want to fly for fun, this is a great choice.
    • Visit Mahalo's guide to getting your sport pilot certificate for more information.

Step 1: Check Your Fitness to Fly

  • As a prospective recreational pilot, you'll need to meet with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) who can certify that you meet the FAA's medical requirements for pilots.
  1. Find an AME with the FAA's AME locator.
  2. You may need to get special permission to fly if you suffer from diabetes, hypertension, or motion sickness.
  3. You can be disqualified for conditions such as: having a pacemaker; epilepsy; or coronary heart disease.
  4. Check the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)'s list of the FAA's medical requirements for more details.

If you're about to turn 40, get your medical certificate before your birthday. A certificate when you're 39 is valid for 36 months; if you get it when you're 40 it is only valid for 24 months.

Step 2: Find a Flight School

  • Once you know you're fit to fly, it's time to find someone to teach you how to do it!
  1. Check AOPA's flight school directory and flight instructor listings.
  2. Or look at the FAA's listing of flight schools.
  3. When you find nearby schools, call and ask what their instructional rates are. Usually you'll pay the instructor and pay an hourly rental fee for your aircraft.
  4. Once you find a school and know the rates you'll be paying, use this calculator to figure out how much you'll need to pay for your lessons.
  5. If you need help paying for lessons, AOPA has resources that may help you find a loan or scholarship.

Step 3: Your Training

  • Your instructor will show you how to pilot your plane (and will be the one to decide when you're ready to fly solo!). But don't think that it's all fun and games in your plane: you also need to take a knowledge test to prove you're ready to fly.
  • (Photo by Scott Snyder)
    (Photo by Scott Snyder)
  1. You'll have 30 hours of training; this includes least 15 hours with your instructor.
    • Many student pilots need more than the minimum hours of instruction before they're ready be certified.
  2. Your instructor will give you an endorsement certificate when you're ready to fly on your own.
  3. To get your license, an FAA examiner will administer a practical test where you demonstrate your proficiency in your plane and your knowledge during an oral exam.
  4. You can review the FAA's practical test standards requirements to prepare.
  5. You will need to take a knowledge test to prove you're ready to be licensed.
  6. The FAA has sample test questions  WARNING: PDF File. you can download to help you study for your test.
  7. You can find a location to take your knowledge test on this FAA file  WARNING: PDF File..

Step 4: You Have Your Recreational Pilot License

  • Congratulations! You've now got a certificate and can fly on your own. Now you just need to find a plane!
  1. Many pilots rent planes from the same airport where they took their lessons.
  2. You may also consider joining a flying club. The club owns planes; members pay dues and then rental fees when they want to fly.
  3. Or, if you have the money, you can always buy your own plane! One good thing about being a recreational pilot is being able to pilot less expensive aircraft.
  4. AOPA states that operating costs for a private airplane can run between $2,000 and $8,000 per year.
  5. Whatever method you choose, make sure you stay up-to-date with refresher training and flight reviews, so that your license remains valid.

Conclusion

  • Many people fantasize about becoming a pilot, but they don't realize how attainable their dream really is. Now that you know how to do it, go out there and get your wings!

Subscribe to Mahalo's Weekly How To Email Newsletter

  • Get our best How To tips and ideas in your inbox each week

Resources for How to Become a Recreational Pilot

Related Searches

How to Become a Private Pilot | How to Become a Sport Pilot