After really thinking about my life, it occurred to me that I wasn't exactly where I wanted to be. I was still living in my parent's basement, and it seemed like I was never going to get to leave. One of the things that was holding me back was the type of job that I had, and so I started thinking about what to do to get out of that situation. I began working really hard to head back to college, and I found a place that was accepting new students. After enrolling, I felt like I was making progress. Read more about heading back to class as an adult.
Maybe you have always wanted to fly a plane. Getting your pilot's license is obviously the first step towards achieving that dream. But not all pilot's licenses are the same. Actually, in the U.S., there are six different types of pilot's licenses you can earn. Here is a brief look at each one of them.
Sport Pilot
This is the easiest license to obtain. It permits you to fly certain small aircraft, but only at a low altitude with one passenger. Training programs are typically only a month or two long, as you only have to log 20 hours of flight time to earn the license.
Recreational Pilot
This license allows you a lot more flexibility than the sport pilot license, so it requires more work. You can fly heavier aircraft at a higher altitude, but only over certain distances and only outside of the altitudes used by commercial aircraft. Training should last a few months, as you need to earn 30 hours of flight time, plus many more instructive hours.
Private Pilot
Most people start with a recreational pilot's license and then move onto a private pilot's license, which allows them to drive any single-engine plane and within the airspace used by commercial pilots. This license also allows you to fly at night. You'll need to learn additional maneuvers and log 40 hours or more of flight time.
Commercial Pilot
The next level up is your commercial pilot's license, which allows you to fly multi-engine planes and earn money for doing so. Not all commercial pilots fly for large airlines; some fly for private companies. Since you will have to communicate with air traffic control and know how to operate various planes, earning this license requires intensive schooling.
Flight Instructor
If you love being a commercial pilot so much that you want to teach others, you can get your flight instructor's license. You may teach others who are simply earning their sport or recreational license or those who are earning a commercial license. Getting your flight instructor license typically only involves a few months of schooling once you're already a commercial pilot. You'll learn more about theory and teaching skills.
Airline Transport Pilot
What about aircraft that transport other aircraft? As it turns out, you need to be a specifically licensed airline transport pilot to fly them. You must have many hours as a commercial pilot before you can even begin the training program for this one.
For more information, contact a flight training school like Sunrise Aviation.