Basic Requirements

So you decided to become a pilot, but don't know where to start. That's understandable, especially considering the fact that doing research takes time and effort and can be considerably exhausting given the fact that there are so many aviation blogs, articles, pages, and channels, to the point where you might feel like you're drowning in information. I aim to help with that. My goal is to provide you all of the information you need to get started. Not only that, but once you're through my blog posts, you will have gained a fundamental understanding strong enough to the point where you will be able to independently discern for yourself what information out there is correct, outdated, or misleading. Let's jump right in.

We'll first start with the absolute basics, and thereafter proceed to rapidly go through the finer details.

Here are the basic requirements:

1. You need to have done high school at the very least.

2. You need to be medically certified by an aviation medical examiner.

3. You need to be at least 16+ years of age for your first license, the PPL (We'll go through the licenses very soon in the post)

4. For your CPL, you need to be at least 18 years or older.

Now let's get into more depth:

The following are the licenses you will acquire, in the order mentioned:

1. Private Pilot License (PPL)

2. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

3. Instrument Rating (IR)

4. Multi-Engine Rating (ME)

Sometimes the Instrument Rating and the Multi-Engine ratings are done together one after the other, so you might see them abbreviated together as ME-IR.

Before we proceed and look at a brief overview of the licenses and ratings, we'll get familiar with what an aviation medical examination is, and why it's needed.

Aviation is inherently a safety-sensitive industry, and for your own safety it is imperative that you're medically fit to fly an aircraft. Therefore, before you begin flight training, you'll need to make sure of this by getting yourself examined by an aviation medical examiner (AME).

Throughout all countries, there are 2-3 levels of medical certification for pilots:

1. Class 1 Medical (Also called Category 1 Medical)

2. Class 2 Medical

3. Class 3 Medical

Class 3 is the most basic medical examination (and in some countries, it is absent and Class 2 is considered basic). These medicals allow you to begin your flight training in light aircraft with restricted privileges.

Class 1 (or Category 1) is the aviation medical required in order to receive advanced flight training and operate complex and heavier aircraft. For this reason, it also involves additional tests and slightly more stringent limits compared to Class 3 and 2. In some countries like the US and Canada, you have the option of directly booking a Class 1 Medical appointment, whereas in others, such as India, you have to first be certified for a Class 2 Medical before you can get a Class 1.

I will be publishing each country's aviation medical links below.

For the US: FAA Medical Homepage

For the UK: 1. Class 1 Medical

2. Class 2 Medical

For Canada: Transport Canada Medical Homepage

If you wish to know more about the aviation medicals, check it out here.

We will now proceed to getting a basic understanding of what each license and rating is about.

Next: (Licenses Overview)