FAQ

A medical is an FAA-required examination that every pilot must pass. There are three different categories of medical—the highest being first class, which is required of airline pilots. Depending on age, exams are every 6 to 12 months.

What is an airline transport pilot license (ATPL)?

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) is the highest level of certification an aircraft pilot can have. The ATPL license is also known as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate (in the US). It allows a pilot to be in command of aircraft with a certain passenger number. To become a Captain with an Airline, a pilot will need to have an Airline Transport Pilot License.

What is instrument rating (IR)?
Instrument Rating is a type of rating that will train a pilot to fly while relying solely on the instruments inside the aircraft. Since a pilot can fly solely on the basis of the aircraft’s instruments, he or she isn’t restricted to only flying in good weather conditions.

What is a commercial pilot license (CPL)?
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is a type of license that legally allows you to fly an aircraft and get paid as a pilot. Having a CPL means you already hold a Private Pilot License (PPL), and you have finished your training towards CPL. A licensed commercial pilot may act as pilot-in-command (Captain) of an aircraft for compensation or hire and carry people or cargo.

What is private pilot license (PPL)?
A Private Pilot License (PPL) is a type of license wherein you can legally fly an aircraft solo or with other people. Private pilots are trained to navigate small aircraft by themselves. While people may seek the license for hobby or sports reasons, a PPL is also the first major milestone on the road to becoming an airline pilot. A private pilot can take friends and family for rides, practice maneuvers but not for profit.

What is the age requirement to become a pilot?

The minimum age to learn how to fly is 14 years old but this depends on where you are in the world!

To get a Student Pilot License (SPL), you must be at least 16 years old. If you’re learning how to fly gliders or balloons, you can get a SPL at 14 years old.

If you want to fly as a hobby or for leisure, you need to have a Private Pilot License and you can get one at 17 years old or 16 for gliders and balloons.

Commercial Pilot License allows you to fly for commercial purposes and to get the CPL you will need to be at least 18 years old.

If you want to become a Captain with an airline, you will need to have Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and to have an unrestricted ATPL, you will need to be at least 23 years old.

So to summarize the minimum age requirements for aircraft:

• Student Pilot Lincense – at least 16 years old
• Private Pilot License– at least 17 years old
• Commercial Pilot License– at least 18 years old
•  Airline Transport License( ATPL)– at least 23 years old

Can I become a pilot if I am wearing glasses or spectacles?
Yes! You can be a pilot even if you are wearing glasses or even contact lenses as long as your vision is 20/20 when you are already wearing one.

How many pilots are in the cockpit?

Most modern aircraft flown in the United States have two pilots in the flight deck. One is the captain, who is legally responsible for the flight. The other is the first officer, who is equally qualified to the captain, but does not retain the legal right to the flight.

Flights beyond 8 and 12 hours have three and four pilots and operate with rotational break schedules on long-haul flights. 

For any further question, do not hesitate to contact us:
             Email: hr@vietpilotjob.com
Tel:    + 84 28 2222 8899       +84 968 176 742
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