With so much demand for new pilots, people of all ages are interested in getting a pilot’s license. We’ve put together a list of the age requirements for all stages of the process (including high school students).
Student pilot: 16 years of age.
Private pilot: 17 years of age.
Commercial pilot: 18 years of age.
After this it gets a bit complicated…
For an Airline Transport Pilot certificate:
14 CFR part 61.153(a): Meet the following age requirements.
- For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.159, be at least 23 years of age and have 1,500 hours of total flight time. [This is the traditional time requirements for an ATP. Oddly enough, a commercial pilot’s license is not required.]
- For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.160 (Aeronautical experience-airplane category restricted privileges.) be at least 21 years of age and have: 1,000 hours of total flight time if the person holds a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education that has been issued a letter of authorization by the Administrator under 61.169. The person must also hold a commercial pilot’s license and an instrument rating.
- For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.160 (c). be 21 years of age and have 1,250 hours of total flight time if the person holds a Associate’s degree with an aviation major from an institution of higher education that has been issued a letter of authorization by the Administrator, and completed at least 30 semester credit hours of aviation and aviation-related coursework that has been recognized by the administrator. The person must also hold a commercial pilot’s license and an instrument rating.
The restricted privileges mentioned above for pilots who hold an airline transport pilot certificate issued under the conditions of part 1 & 2 above may not act as pilot in command in operations conducted under part 121 (major airlines) part 91.1053(a)(2)(i) (fractional ownership operations) or part 135.243(a)(1) (commuter and on demand operations.
Any questions? Email frontdesk@highflightacademy.com for more information.