FAA, FAR sections & pilot career terms

FAA Private Pilot aeronautical experience: 40 hours minimum flight time, including 20 hours dual instruction and 10 hours solo. National average is 60-75 hours.

Source: eCFR

FAA Commercial Pilot aeronautical experience: 250 hours total time, 100 hours pilot-in-command, 50 hours cross-country, plus instrument and night training.

Source: eCFR

FAA ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). Mandatory 5-day course (30 hours academic + 10 hours simulator) before taking the ATP Knowledge Test.

Source: eCFR

FAA Airline Transport Pilot aeronautical experience: 1,500 hours total time including 500 hours cross-country, 100 hours night, 75 hours instrument.

Source: eCFR

FAA Restricted ATP (R-ATP) - lower hour requirement (1,000-1,250 hours) for military pilots and graduates of FAA-approved aviation bachelor's degree programs.

Source: eCFR

FAA Flight Instructor eligibility. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate, Instrument rating, and passing the Fundamentals of Instructing plus Flight Instructor Knowledge Test.

Source: eCFR

FAA Student Pilot eligibility. Minimum age 16 (14 for balloon/glider), ability to read/speak English, and a Class 3 medical or equivalent.

Source: eCFR

FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems rule. Governs commercial drone operations under 55 lb. Remote Pilot Certificate requires $175 knowledge test, no flight hours.

Source: eCFR

FAA flight, duty, and rest requirements for Part 121 (scheduled airline) flight crewmembers. Defines the science-based fatigue limits replacing the older Part 121 Subpart Q rules.

Source: eCFR

FAA scheduled air carrier operations. Governs major US passenger and cargo airlines (Delta, United, FedEx, UPS, regionals).

Source: eCFR

FAA commuter and on-demand operations. Governs Part 135 charter, air taxi, and small scheduled commuter operators.

Source: eCFR

FAA pilot school certification. Approved Part 141 schools follow an FAA-approved syllabus and offer reduced minimum flight hours (e.g., 35 hr PPL vs 40 hr under Part 61).

Source: eCFR

FAA pilot certification regulations. Sets requirements for all pilot certificates and ratings issued by the FAA, from Student Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, plus instructor and remote pilot certificates.

Source: eCFR

FAA medical certification standards. Defines Class 1, 2, and 3 medical requirements for airline, commercial, and private pilots.

Source: eCFR

FAA BasicMed - alternative medical qualification allowing already-certificated pilots to fly non-commercially without a Class 3 medical.

Source: eCFR

FAA's highest pilot certificate. Required for Part 121 airline Captain. 1,500 hr (R-ATP 1,000-1,250 hr), age 23, Class 1 medical, ATP-CTP course.

Source: 14 CFR 61.153

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate. Allows being paid to fly. 250 hr total time minimum, $80k-$120k from zero, single + multi-engine + instrument required.

Source: 14 CFR 61.123

FAA commercial drone certificate. $175 knowledge test at PSI testing center, age 16+, no flight hours required, TSA vetting.

Source: 14 CFR 107

FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Allows pilot-in-command of single-pilot aircraft for personal/non-commercial use. 40 hr FAA minimum, $12k-$18k typical cost.

Source: 14 CFR 61.103

FAA certificate for limited-scope private flying. Rarely chosen now - most pilots go directly to PPL.

Source: FAA

Reduced-hour ATP variant. 1,000 hours for military pilots, 1,250 hours for graduates of FAA-approved aviation bachelor's programs (Embry-Riddle, UND, Purdue, etc.).

Source: 14 CFR 61.160

FAA certificate for light-sport aircraft. Minimum 20 hours flight time, driver's license medical, daytime VFR only.

Source: FAA

Entry-level FAA pilot certificate authorizing supervised solo flight. Issued under 14 CFR 61.83. Minimum age 16, requires Class 3 medical and CFI endorsement.

Source: FAA

FAA instructor certificate. Allows teaching student pilots. Common hour-building job before regional airline hiring at R-ATP 1,250 hr.

Source: 14 CFR 61.183

Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument. CFI add-on allowing teaching instrument ratings. Required for many academy instructor positions.

Source: 14 CFR 61.183

FAA rating allowing flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in IMC. 40 hours instrument time required (50 under Part 141).

Source: 14 CFR 61.65

Multi-Engine Instructor. CFI add-on allowing teaching in multi-engine aircraft. Critical hour-builder before airline hiring.

Source: 14 CFR 61.183

FAA rating to act as pilot-in-command of multi-engine aircraft. No fixed hour requirement; competency-based.

Source: 14 CFR 61.63

FAA-designated physician authorized to perform medical certificate examinations. Locate at faa.gov/pilots/amelocator.

Source: FAA

Alternative to Class 3 medical under 14 CFR Part 68. Allows already-certificated pilots to fly non-commercially with a state driver's license + state-approved physician exam.

Source: 14 CFR Part 68

Required for ATP and commercial pilots performing ATP duties. Valid 6-12 months depending on age. Required for airline Captain duties.

Source: 14 CFR 67 Subpart B

Required for commercial pilots (non-ATP). Valid 12 months. Used by CFIs, Part 135 charter pilots, and CPL holders.

Source: 14 CFR 67 Subpart C

Required for Private Pilots and Student Pilots. Valid 24-60 months depending on age (40 below age 40, 24 above).

Source: 14 CFR 67 Subpart D

Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program under 14 CFR 61.156. Mandatory 5-day, 30-hour academic + 10-hour simulator course before the ATP Knowledge Test. Cost $4,000-$6,000.

Source: 14 CFR 61.156

FAA practical examination conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Includes oral exam + flight portion. DPE fee typically $600-$1,000.

Source: FAA

FAA-designated examiner authorized to administer practical tests. DPE shortage has driven fees up to $600-$1,000 in many regions.

Source: FAA

FAA Airman Knowledge Test (PAR). 60 questions, 2.5 hour time limit, $175 fee at PSI Services LLC testing centers. Required before practical exam.

Source: FAA

Air Line Pilots Association International. Largest US airline pilot union representing pilots at Delta, United, FedEx, regionals, and many cargo carriers.

Source: alpa.org

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Largest US general aviation advocacy organization. Publishes training surveys, scholarships, and Pilot Protection Services.

Source: aopa.org

Allied Pilots Association. Independent union representing American Airlines pilots.

Source: alliedpilots.org

US Department of Labor statistical agency. Publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook used industry-wide for pilot employment and wage data.

Source: bls.gov

US Department of Transportation agency regulating civil aviation. Controlling authority for all pilot certification, aircraft certification, airspace, and air traffic services.

Source: faa.gov

International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Represents pilots at several US carriers including Frontier and Atlas Air.

Source: teamster.org

Independent Pilots Association. Union representing UPS pilots.

Source: ipapilots.org

Independent US federal agency investigating aviation, highway, marine, pipeline, and railroad accidents. Issues safety recommendations to the FAA.

Source: ntsb.gov

National Gay Pilots Association. Scholarships and professional development for LGBTQ aviation professionals.

Source: ngpa.org

International Organization of Women Pilots, founded 1929. Scholarships and mentoring for women in aviation.

Source: ninety-nines.org

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. Scholarships and mentoring for aspiring pilots.

Source: obap.org

US legacy major carrier headquartered in Fort Worth. Largest airline by fleet size. APA-represented pilots.

Source: BLS / APA

US ACMI cargo and charter operator. Operates Boeing 747 and 777 freighters. Teamster-represented pilots.

Source: BLS / IBT

US legacy major carrier headquartered in Atlanta. Pilot pay scales among the highest in the industry; ALPA-represented.

Source: BLS / ALPA

Wholly-owned American Airlines regional subsidiary. Strong flow-through agreement to American mainline.

Source: BLS / ALPA

Largest US cargo carrier. Pilot pay scales among the highest in the industry, especially senior 777/MD-11 Captains. ALPA-represented.

Source: BLS / ALPA

US fractional jet operator competing with NetJets. Teamster-represented pilots.

Source: BLS

Ultra-low-cost US carrier. Teamster-represented pilots. All-Airbus A320-family fleet.

Source: BLS / IBT

Mid-size US low-cost carrier headquartered in New York. ALPA-represented.

Source: BLS / ALPA

Largest US fractional jet ownership operator. ALPA-represented (NJASAP) pilots. Diverse fleet (Phenom, Challenger, Gulfstream, Global).

Source: BLS / NJASAP

US regional airline operating as American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express. IBT-represented pilots.

Source: BLS / IBT

Largest US regional airline. Operates as Delta Connection, United Express, American Eagle, Alaska SkyWest. ALPA-represented.

Source: BLS / ALPA

Largest US low-cost carrier. Single-fleet Boeing 737 operation. SWAPA-represented pilots.

Source: BLS

US legacy major carrier headquartered in Chicago. Hub system across SFO/ORD/IAH/EWR/DEN/IAD. ALPA-represented pilots.

Source: BLS / ALPA

Major US integrated cargo carrier. Pilot pay scales among the top of the industry. IPA-represented pilots.

Source: BLS / IPA

Largest US accelerated Part 141 flight academy. Multi-state network with airline pipeline agreements (Envoy, SkyWest, Spirit, Frontier, others).

Source: atpflightschool.com

Auburn Aviation Center. Professional Flight Education bachelor's degree with R-ATP eligibility.

Source: auburn.edu

Global flight training network. CAE Phoenix and other US locations train ab initio pilots for airline cadet programs.

Source: cae.com

FAA-approved Part 141 school with R-ATP eligibility at 1,250 hours. Campuses in Daytona Beach (FL) and Prescott (AZ). Aviation bachelor's degree programs.

Source: erau.edu

Major accelerated Part 141 academy. Cadet program partnerships with multiple US regionals.

Source: l3harris.com

Purdue University aviation program. Professional Flight bachelor's degree with R-ATP eligibility at 1,250 hours.

Source: purdue.edu

US/UK Part 141 academy with US training campus in Vero Beach (FL).

Source: skyborne.com

FAA-approved Part 141 university with R-ATP eligibility. John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Source: und.edu

College of Aviation. Aviation Flight Science bachelor's degree with R-ATP eligibility at 1,250 hours.

Source: wmich.edu

Most-produced aircraft in history. Standard US primary training aircraft - four seats, fixed gear, 160 hp. Many flight schools operate G1000-equipped variants.

Source: Cessna / Textron

Modern composite primary trainer. Glass cockpit standard. Used by many university aviation programs and academies.

Source: Diamond Aircraft

Integrated glass cockpit avionics suite. Standard in many modern training aircraft - replaces traditional 'six-pack' steam gauges with flat-panel PFD/MFD displays.

Source: Garmin

Common US primary trainer. Single-engine, low-wing, four-seat alternative to the Cessna 172.

Source: Piper

Beyond Visual Line of Sight. Drone operation where the pilot cannot see the aircraft. Requires Part 107 waiver or new BVLOS rule compliance.

Source: FAA

Airline-sponsored or partnered training pipeline guaranteeing graduates an interview/job at the partner airline. Often includes tuition reimbursement bonus.

Source: Industry term

FAA-loggable flight between two airports more than 50 nautical miles apart. Required for all advanced certificates and ratings.

Source: 14 CFR 61.1

Introductory flight lesson at a flight school - typically 30-60 minutes with a CFI, often $150-$250. The standard first step before committing to PPL training.

Source: FAA-style industry term

Contract between a regional airline and a major airline guaranteeing regional pilots a path to mainline interview after meeting tenure and performance criteria.

Source: Industry term

Instrument Flight Rules. Requires an instrument-rated pilot and an IFR-equipped aircraft. Allows flight in IMC (clouds) under ATC clearance.

Source: 14 CFR 91

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. FAA system providing near-instant airspace authorization for Part 107 drone operations in controlled airspace.

Source: FAA

FAA term for the pilot who has final authority for the safe operation of an aircraft. PIC time counts toward all certificate aeronautical experience requirements.

Source: 14 CFR 1.1

Second pilot in a required two-pilot crew. SIC time logged separately from PIC and counts differently toward certificate experience.

Source: 14 CFR 1.1

Visual Flight Rules. Allows flight by outside reference under defined weather minimums (cloud clearance, visibility). Most Private Pilot flying is VFR.

Source: 14 CFR 91

Specialized lender for accelerated Part 141 pilot training. Often partners directly with flight schools.

Source: flighttrainingfinance.com

Lender using academic/aviation merit (test scores, grades, hours flown) in addition to credit for pilot training loan underwriting.

Source: meritize.com

VA education benefit covering up to 36 months of tuition at degree-granting aviation universities. Does not cover stand-alone flight ratings outside a degree program.

Source: VA.gov

Private student loan that covers career training programs at participating Part 141 flight schools. Co-signed loan with deferred repayment options.

Source: salliemae.com

Lender specializing in commercial pilot training financing. Approves loans up to $100,000+ for full Zero-to-Commercial programs at partner schools.

Source: stratusfinancial.com

Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. Can cover flight training for service-connected disabled veterans outside degree programs.

Source: VA.gov

Left-seat pilot-in-command at an airline. Upgrade from FO typically takes 2-8 years at regionals, 5-15 years at majors depending on hiring cycle.

Source: FAA / industry

Certified Flight Instructor working at a flight school. Common hour-building role at $30-$60/flight hour between earning Commercial+CFI and reaching airline minimums.

Source: Industry pay surveys

Right-seat co-pilot at an airline. Typical entry seat for new airline hires after meeting R-ATP/ATP minimums.

Source: FAA / industry