A Private Pilot License (PPL) or, in the United States, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately, i.e. not for remuneration. The basic requirements to obtain the license and the privileges it confers are agreed internationally by ICAO, however the actual implementation varies quite widely from country to country. According to ICAO, it is obtained by successfully completing a course of flight training of at least 40 hours duration (45 in the UK), passing a number of theory exams, and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test or checkride. The typical minimum age for a Private Pilot Certificate is 17 (though other types of certifications differ in age minimums).

Different types of PPL are issued for the major categories of aircraft: powered airplanes/aeroplanes; gliders ; helicopters; gyroplanes; balloons; airships.

PPL is issued either according to the FAA (American licences) or JAR (European licences) regulations. Each organisation has different requirements, and one a PPL licence issued according by another regulator is only valid after application.

A license will contain a number of sub-qualifications or ratings. These specify in more detail the actual privileges of the license, including the types of aircraft that can be flown, whether flight under Instrument Flight Rules and at night is allowed, and whether instructing and examining of trainee pilots can be done.

In addition, a number of endorsements are availablefor specific skills (additional requirements apply):

• Night VFR
• Instrument Flying (IFR)
• Multi-Engine
• Piston/Turbine
• Design features: Tailwheel, Retractable Undercarraige, Float-Plane, etc.
• Aerobatics, spins, formation flying, etc.
• Agricultural, stock-mustering, etc.

• A flight instructor certificate or CFI authorizes the holder to instruct another person who is training for a certificate, rating, endorsement or flight review.
• A flight instructor instrument certificate rating or CFII.
• A multiengine rating is the most common example of a class rating; it is required to fly an airplane with more than one engine. Both single- and multi-engine class ratings are further divided into land and sea depending on whether the training was in a conventional land airplane or a seaplane. Airplane Single-Engine Land is by far the most common primary rating.
• A flight instructor multiengine certificate rating MEI.

Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a Private Pilot certificate or Commercial Pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical test (known more commonly as the check ride). The check ride is divided into an oral component to verify that the applicant understands the theory of instrument flying and an actual flight to ensure the pilot possesses the practical skills required for safe IFR flight.

For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace, defined as all airspace above 18,000 feet, must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, an instrument rating is required when operating under Special visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.

Requirments For an American Instrument Rating under part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulation

• 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
• 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time
• 15 hours of flight instruction towards Instrument Rating

A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or, in the United States, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft for remuneration. The basic requirements to obtain the licence and the privileges it confers are agreed internationally by International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, however the actual implementation varies quite widely from country to country. According to ICAO, it is obtained by successfully completing a course of flight training, passing a number of theory exams, and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test or checkride.

Different types of CPL are issued for the major categories of aircraft: airplanes/aeroplanes; helicopters; gyroplanes; balloons; airships.

A licence will contain a number of sub-qualifications or ratings. These specify in more detail the actual privileges of the licence, including the types of aircraft that can be flown, whether flight under Instrument Flight Rules is allowed, and whether instructing and examining of trainee pilots can be done.