In as little as 35 hours of flight training, you can become a private pilot. This will allow you to fly anywhere in the United States and is the first step of becoming a professional pilot! Being a private pilot has many advantages. You can take a loved one, children, friends, or anyone you want to any location. Imagine flying a spouse to Key West for dinner and back in time for the 11 o’clock news. All of this and more is possible with your private pilot license.

An Instrument Rating (IR) is a pilot rating earned through intensive training focused on flying solely by reference to instruments. It is arguably one of the most valuable ratings you can add to your pilot certificate and is a fun and challenging discipline of flight training. A well-trained and proficient instrument pilot can fly an airplane from point A to point B without ever having to look out the window except for takeoff and landing; it is truly a remarkable skill.

There has never been an easier time in American history to become a pilot or begin earning money as a CFI than there is today. There are many great benefits to becoming a certificated flight instructor (CFI), including the opportunity to earn a living while you accrue flight time.

The recreational pilot certificate may be right for you if you plan to fly for fun in your local area. It generally takes less time to earn than the private pilot certificate, and can serve stepping stone should you decide to move on to the private pilot certificate later.

The Commercial Pilot License gives you the privilege of flying for compensation and enables opportunities for a career as a pilot. Typically, pilots achieve their Private Pilot License and Instrument Rating before moving on to train for the Commercial Pilot License.