🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 122 (from laksa181)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa122.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.americanwinds.edu/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.americanwinds.edu/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot\/","crawl_time":1775661492,"first_indexed_time":1733178992,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"edu,americanwinds!www,\/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot\/ s443","src_root_hash":"9201012606204467722","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How to Become a Pilot: Flight School Requirements","meta_descriptions":["Discover the essential physical, educational, and licensing requirements to become a pilot. Start your journey to the skies with American Winds."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Dreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications.\nAmerican Winds is your wingman on this! As\none of the best flight schools in Ohio\nand a fully\naccredited College of Aeronautics\n, we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements.\nRead on for answers to your questions, including:\nWhat’s the difference between flight school and ground school?\nWhat are the requirements to start flight school?\nHow do you get a student pilot certificate?\nWhat are the requirements to become a pilot in general?\nHow do you become an airline pilot?\nIt’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there:\nGround Training\n– In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more.\nFlight Lessons\n– Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more.\nAmerican Winds makes sure you have lots of support and\nresources\nalong the way to becoming a private and\/or commercial pilot.\nHere are the basic requirements for starting flight school:\nHigh School Diploma\nA high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be\nat least 16 years old\nto begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that.\nStudent Pilot Certificate\nAmerican Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license.\nQualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include:\nThe\nability to speak, read and understand the English\nlanguage because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English.\nProof of your identity\nbecause the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks.\nMedical Clearance\nYou’ll need at least a\nThird-Class Airman Medical Certificate\nfrom the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an\nApproved Medical Examiner\n. During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for:\nVision – 20\/20 with or without corrective lenses\nHearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away\nNeurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders\nCardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries\nMental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders\nTypes of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications\nWondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration?\nYou can do all of that at American Winds!\nMuch like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory.\nHere are the main options for taking flight for fun or income:\nPrivate Pilot License (PPL)\nDiscover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must:\nBe at least 17 years old\nProve U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S.\nMaintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate\nPass a computerized knowledge exam\nPass an oral test and a check ride\nLog 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more)\nWith your\nPrivate Pilot License\n, you can:\nFly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine)\nFly in good weather during the day or at night\nFly solo or with passengers\nCertified Private Pilots CANNOT:\nGet paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight\nFly in inclement weather – unless\/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below\nInstrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications\nBefore progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to\noperate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather,\nrelying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not\ntechnically\nrequired to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather.\nYou’ll also choose whether to pursue\nratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes\n. Each has its own requirements.\nAlong the way, you’ll pick up\nType Ratings\n, which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in\nour fleet\nall the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.\nInstructor Certifications\nallow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways:\nCertified Flight Instructor (CFI)\nCertified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)\nMulti-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating\nCommercial Pilot License (CPL)\nGetting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds\nFast-Track Commercial Pilot License program\n! To achieve this goal, you must:\nBe at least 18 years old\nHold a PPL\nPass the FAA Knowledge Exam\nPass an oral test and check ride\nLog additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs\/landings at towered airports, and more)\nOnce you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can:\nGet paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more\nContinue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications\nPursue the requirements to fly for a major airline\nAirline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP)\nIf how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification.\nOne of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain\n1,500 hours of flight time\n– which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower!\nBecoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program\ncan qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how:\nThe FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time.\nAs a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with\nFAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility\n, American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever!\nOur\nAssociate Degree Program\ncan be fast-tracked for completion in just\none year\n. By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only\n1,250 flight hours\n.\nOur\nBachelor Degree Program\nin partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at\nthe American Winds campus\n. You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only\n1,000 flight hours\n.\nEarn Your Pilot License with American Winds\nReady to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster!\nGet started today\n– and feel your future take flight!","attrs_markdown":"- [Instrument Rating](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/instrument-rating\/)\n- [Flight Scheduler](https:\/\/app.flightschedulepro.com\/Account\/Login\/135397)\n- [International Students](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/international-student\/)\n\n[![American Winds College of Aeronautics](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AW-generic-logo-white-SVG.svg)](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/)\n\n- [Programs](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/)\n  - [Programs Overview](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/)\n  - [Commercial Pilot’s License](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/)\n  - [Private Pilot’s License](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/private-pilots-license\/)\n  - [Bachelor’s Degree](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/bachelors-degree\/)\n  - [Associate’s Degree](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/associate-degree\/)\n  - [Commercial Pilot Fast Track](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/commercial-pilot-fast-track\/)\n- [Financial Aid](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/financial-aid\/)\n  - [Financial Aid Loans](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/financial-aid\/)\n  - [Veteran Benefits](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/veteran-benefits\/)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/)\n  - [About American Winds](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/)\n  - [Accreditation](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/accreditation\/)\n  - [Private Charter](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/private-charter\/)\n  - [Aircraft Fleet](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/fleet\/)\n  - [Partnerships](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/partnerships\/)\n  - [Campus](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/campus\/)\n  - [Blog](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/blog\/)\n- [Academic Catalog](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2025-2026-Academic-Catalog.pdf)\n- [Resources](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/resources\/)\n- [Instrument Rating](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/instrument-rating\/)\n- [Flight Scheduler](https:\/\/app.flightschedulepro.com\/Account\/Login\/135397)\n- [International Students](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/international-student\/)\n- [Enroll Today](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/request-information\/#progressive-form)\n- [Get Information](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/request-information\/#progressive-form)\n\nSelect Page\n\n[← All posts](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/blog\/)\n\n# Requirements for Becoming a Pilot\nDec 2, 2024\n\nShare This Post\n\nShare This Post\n\nDreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications.\n\nAmerican Winds is your wingman on this! As [one of the best flight schools in Ohio](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/) and a fully [accredited College of Aeronautics](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/accreditation\/), we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements.\n\nRead on for answers to your questions, including:\n\n- What’s the difference between flight school and ground school?\n- What are the requirements to start flight school?\n- How do you get a student pilot certificate?\n- What are the requirements to become a pilot in general?\n- How do you become an airline pilot?\n## Flight School Requirements\nIt’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there:\n\n- **Ground Training** – In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more.\n- **Flight Lessons** – Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more.\n\nAmerican Winds makes sure you have lots of support and [resources](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/resources\/) along the way to becoming a private and\/or commercial pilot.\n\nHere are the basic requirements for starting flight school:\n\n### High School Diploma\nA high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be **at least 16 years old** to begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that.\n\n### Student Pilot Certificate\nAmerican Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license.\n\nQualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include:\n\n- The **ability to speak, read and understand the English** language because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English.\n- **Proof of your identity** because the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks.\n### Medical Clearance\nYou’ll need at least a [Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate](https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-14\/chapter-I\/subchapter-D\/part-67) from the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an [Approved Medical Examiner](https:\/\/designee.faa.gov\/#\/designeeLocator). During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for:\n\n- Vision – 20\/20 with or without corrective lenses\n- Hearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away\n- Neurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders\n- Cardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries\n- Mental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders\n## Types of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications\nWondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration?\n\nYou can do all of that at American Winds\\!\n\nMuch like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory.\n\nHere are the main options for taking flight for fun or income:\n\n### Private Pilot License (PPL)\nDiscover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must:\n\n- Be at least 17 years old\n- Prove U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S.\n- Maintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate\n- Pass a computerized knowledge exam\n- Pass an oral test and a check ride\n- Log 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more)\n\nWith your [Private Pilot License](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/private-pilots-license\/), you can:\n\n- Fly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine)\n- Fly in good weather during the day or at night\n- Fly solo or with passengers\n\nCertified Private Pilots CANNOT:\n\n- Get paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight\n- Fly in inclement weather – unless\/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below\n### Instrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications\nBefore progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to **operate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather,** relying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not *technically* required to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather.\n\nYou’ll also choose whether to pursue **ratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes**. Each has its own requirements.\n\nAlong the way, you’ll pick up **Type Ratings**, which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in [our fleet](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/fleet\/) all the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.\n\n**Instructor Certifications** allow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways:\n\n- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)\n- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)\n- Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating\n### Commercial Pilot License (CPL)\nGetting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds [Fast-Track Commercial Pilot License program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/commercial-pilot-fast-track\/)! To achieve this goal, you must:\n\n- Be at least 18 years old\n- Hold a PPL\n- Pass the FAA Knowledge Exam\n- Pass an oral test and check ride\n- Log additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs\/landings at towered airports, and more)\n\nOnce you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can:\n\n- Get paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more\n- Continue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications\n- Pursue the requirements to fly for a major airline\n### Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP)\nIf how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification.\n\nOne of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain **1,500 hours of flight time** – which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower\\!\n\n[Becoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/becoming-a-pilot-through-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics-program\/) can qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how:\n\nThe FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time.\n\nAs a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with [FAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility](https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/pilots\/training\/atp\/media\/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf), American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever\\!\n\n- Our [Associate Degree Program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/associate-degree\/) can be fast-tracked for completion in just **one year**. By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only **1,250 flight hours**.\n- Our [Bachelor Degree Program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/bachelors-degree\/) in partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at [the American Winds campus](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/campus\/). You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only **1,000 flight hours**.\n## Earn Your Pilot License with American Winds\nReady to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster! [Get started today](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/request-information\/?fsm_form_selection=Enroll_Today#progressive-form) – and feel your future take flight\\!\n\n**About American Winds**\n\nSince 2002, American Winds has been helping Future Captains find their wings in Ohio’s skies. As an FAA-certified Flight School and fully accredited College of Aeronautics, we offer programs and training for a variety of career paths – including flying for the major airlines and freight carriers – as well as certification for flight instructors and private pilots. Founder and Chief Flight Instructor Denise Hobart and her team take great pride in providing the best individualized training and instruction in a safe, professional environment. How can we help your pilot dreams take flight today?\n\n**Find your wings at American Winds**\n\nWant to get your career cleared for takeoff? Gain altitude and groundspeed at American Winds – and feel your future take flight\\!\n\n[Enroll Today](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot\/)  \n[Get Information](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot\/)\n\n[← Previous](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/why-choose-us-flight-school-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics\/)     [Next →](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/frequently-asked-questions-pilot-training\/)\n## Related Articles\n\n![FPO Logo FSM](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AWIN-logo-horiz-full-color.svg)\n\n**Contact Us**\n\n[1-330-733-2500](tel:13307332500)  \n  [Email Us](mailto:admissions@americanwinds.edu)  \n  Located at Akron Fulton Airport - KAKR  \n [1600 Triplett Blvd, Building B Akron, OH 44306](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/8furWvdnxu4Yk2GW6)\n\n[Download the Academic Catalog](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2025-2026-Academic-Catalog.pdf \"Academic Catalog\")\n\n© 2026 American Winds College of Aeronautics \\| [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/privacy-policy\/) \\| [Accessibility Statement](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/accessibility-statement\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=382365330424313&ev=PageView&noscript=1)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Dreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications.\n\nAmerican Winds is your wingman on this! As [one of the best flight schools in Ohio](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/) and a fully [accredited College of Aeronautics](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/accreditation\/), we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements.\n\nRead on for answers to your questions, including:\n\n- What’s the difference between flight school and ground school?\n- What are the requirements to start flight school?\n- How do you get a student pilot certificate?\n- What are the requirements to become a pilot in general?\n- How do you become an airline pilot?\n\nIt’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there:\n\n- **Ground Training** – In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more.\n- **Flight Lessons** – Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more.\n\nAmerican Winds makes sure you have lots of support and [resources](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/resources\/) along the way to becoming a private and\/or commercial pilot.\n\nHere are the basic requirements for starting flight school:\n\n### High School Diploma\nA high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be **at least 16 years old** to begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that.\n\n### Student Pilot Certificate\nAmerican Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license.\n\nQualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include:\n\n- The **ability to speak, read and understand the English** language because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English.\n- **Proof of your identity** because the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks.\n### Medical Clearance\nYou’ll need at least a [Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate](https:\/\/www.ecfr.gov\/current\/title-14\/chapter-I\/subchapter-D\/part-67) from the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an [Approved Medical Examiner](https:\/\/designee.faa.gov\/#\/designeeLocator). During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for:\n\n- Vision – 20\/20 with or without corrective lenses\n- Hearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away\n- Neurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders\n- Cardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries\n- Mental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders\n## Types of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications\nWondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration?\n\nYou can do all of that at American Winds\\!\n\nMuch like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory.\n\nHere are the main options for taking flight for fun or income:\n\n### Private Pilot License (PPL)\nDiscover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must:\n\n- Be at least 17 years old\n- Prove U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S.\n- Maintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate\n- Pass a computerized knowledge exam\n- Pass an oral test and a check ride\n- Log 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more)\n\nWith your [Private Pilot License](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/private-pilots-license\/), you can:\n\n- Fly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine)\n- Fly in good weather during the day or at night\n- Fly solo or with passengers\n\nCertified Private Pilots CANNOT:\n\n- Get paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight\n- Fly in inclement weather – unless\/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below\n### Instrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications\nBefore progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to **operate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather,** relying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not *technically* required to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather.\n\nYou’ll also choose whether to pursue **ratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes**. Each has its own requirements.\n\nAlong the way, you’ll pick up **Type Ratings**, which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in [our fleet](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/fleet\/) all the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.\n\n**Instructor Certifications** allow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways:\n\n- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)\n- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)\n- Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating\n### Commercial Pilot License (CPL)\nGetting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds [Fast-Track Commercial Pilot License program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/commercial-pilot-fast-track\/)! To achieve this goal, you must:\n\n- Be at least 18 years old\n- Hold a PPL\n- Pass the FAA Knowledge Exam\n- Pass an oral test and check ride\n- Log additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs\/landings at towered airports, and more)\n\nOnce you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can:\n\n- Get paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more\n- Continue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications\n- Pursue the requirements to fly for a major airline\n### Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP)\nIf how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification.\n\nOne of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain **1,500 hours of flight time** – which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower\\!\n\n[Becoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/becoming-a-pilot-through-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics-program\/) can qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how:\n\nThe FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time.\n\nAs a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with [FAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility](https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/pilots\/training\/atp\/media\/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf), American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever\\!\n\n- Our [Associate Degree Program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/associate-degree\/) can be fast-tracked for completion in just **one year**. By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only **1,250 flight hours**.\n- Our [Bachelor Degree Program](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/programs\/commercial-pilots-license\/bachelors-degree\/) in partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at [the American Winds campus](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/about-us\/campus\/). You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only **1,000 flight hours**.\n## Earn Your Pilot License with American Winds\nReady to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster! [Get started today](https:\/\/www.americanwinds.edu\/request-information\/?fsm_form_selection=Enroll_Today#progressive-form) – and feel your future take flight\\!","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	How to Become a Pilot: Flight School Requirements
Meta Description	Discover the essential physical, educational, and licensing requirements to become a pilot. Start your journey to the skies with American Winds.
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Boilerpipe Text	Dreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications. American Winds is your wingman on this! As one of the best flight schools in Ohio and a fully accredited College of Aeronautics , we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements. Read on for answers to your questions, including: What’s the difference between flight school and ground school? What are the requirements to start flight school? How do you get a student pilot certificate? What are the requirements to become a pilot in general? How do you become an airline pilot? It’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there: Ground Training – In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more. Flight Lessons – Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more. American Winds makes sure you have lots of support and resources along the way to becoming a private and/or commercial pilot. Here are the basic requirements for starting flight school: High School Diploma A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be at least 16 years old to begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that. Student Pilot Certificate American Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license. Qualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include: The ability to speak, read and understand the English language because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English. Proof of your identity because the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks. Medical Clearance You’ll need at least a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate from the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an Approved Medical Examiner . During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for: Vision – 20/20 with or without corrective lenses Hearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away Neurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders Cardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries Mental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders Types of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications Wondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration? You can do all of that at American Winds! Much like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory. Here are the main options for taking flight for fun or income: Private Pilot License (PPL) Discover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must: Be at least 17 years old Prove U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S. Maintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate Pass a computerized knowledge exam Pass an oral test and a check ride Log 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more) With your Private Pilot License , you can: Fly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine) Fly in good weather during the day or at night Fly solo or with passengers Certified Private Pilots CANNOT: Get paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight Fly in inclement weather – unless/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below Instrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications Before progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to operate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather, relying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not technically required to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather. You’ll also choose whether to pursue ratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes . Each has its own requirements. Along the way, you’ll pick up Type Ratings , which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in our fleet all the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s. Instructor Certifications allow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways: Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Getting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds Fast-Track Commercial Pilot License program ! To achieve this goal, you must: Be at least 18 years old Hold a PPL Pass the FAA Knowledge Exam Pass an oral test and check ride Log additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs/landings at towered airports, and more) Once you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can: Get paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more Continue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications Pursue the requirements to fly for a major airline Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP) If how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification. One of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain 1,500 hours of flight time – which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower! Becoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program can qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how: The FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time. As a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with FAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility , American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever! Our Associate Degree Program can be fast-tracked for completion in just one year . By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only 1,250 flight hours . Our Bachelor Degree Program in partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at the American Winds campus . You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only 1,000 flight hours . Earn Your Pilot License with American Winds Ready to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster! Get started today – and feel your future take flight!
Markdown	- [Instrument Rating](https://www.americanwinds.edu/instrument-rating/) - [Flight Scheduler](https://app.flightschedulepro.com/Account/Login/135397) - [International Students](https://www.americanwinds.edu/international-student/) [![American Winds College of Aeronautics](https://www.americanwinds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AW-generic-logo-white-SVG.svg)](https://www.americanwinds.edu/) - [Programs](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/) - [Programs Overview](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/) - [Commercial Pilot’s License](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/) - [Private Pilot’s License](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/private-pilots-license/) - [Bachelor’s Degree](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/bachelors-degree/) - [Associate’s Degree](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/associate-degree/) - [Commercial Pilot Fast Track](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/commercial-pilot-fast-track/) - [Financial Aid](https://www.americanwinds.edu/financial-aid/) - [Financial Aid Loans](https://www.americanwinds.edu/financial-aid/) - [Veteran Benefits](https://www.americanwinds.edu/veteran-benefits/) - [About Us](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/) - [About American Winds](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/) - [Accreditation](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/accreditation/) - [Private Charter](https://www.americanwinds.edu/private-charter/) - [Aircraft Fleet](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/fleet/) - [Partnerships](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/partnerships/) - [Campus](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/campus/) - [Blog](https://www.americanwinds.edu/blog/) - [Academic Catalog](https://www.americanwinds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025-2026-Academic-Catalog.pdf) - [Resources](https://www.americanwinds.edu/resources/) - [Instrument Rating](https://www.americanwinds.edu/instrument-rating/) - [Flight Scheduler](https://app.flightschedulepro.com/Account/Login/135397) - [International Students](https://www.americanwinds.edu/international-student/) - [Enroll Today](https://www.americanwinds.edu/request-information/#progressive-form) - [Get Information](https://www.americanwinds.edu/request-information/#progressive-form) Select Page [← All posts](https://www.americanwinds.edu/blog/) # Requirements for Becoming a Pilot Dec 2, 2024 Share This Post Share This Post Dreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications. American Winds is your wingman on this! As [one of the best flight schools in Ohio](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/) and a fully [accredited College of Aeronautics](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/accreditation/), we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements. Read on for answers to your questions, including: - What’s the difference between flight school and ground school? - What are the requirements to start flight school? - How do you get a student pilot certificate? - What are the requirements to become a pilot in general? - How do you become an airline pilot? ## Flight School Requirements It’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there: - Ground Training – In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more. - Flight Lessons – Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more. American Winds makes sure you have lots of support and [resources](https://www.americanwinds.edu/resources/) along the way to becoming a private and/or commercial pilot. Here are the basic requirements for starting flight school: ### High School Diploma A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be at least 16 years old to begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that. ### Student Pilot Certificate American Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license. Qualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include: - The ability to speak, read and understand the English language because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English. - Proof of your identity because the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks. ### Medical Clearance You’ll need at least a [Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-67) from the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an [Approved Medical Examiner](https://designee.faa.gov/#/designeeLocator). During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for: - Vision – 20/20 with or without corrective lenses - Hearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away - Neurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders - Cardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries - Mental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders ## Types of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications Wondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration? You can do all of that at American Winds\! Much like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory. Here are the main options for taking flight for fun or income: ### Private Pilot License (PPL) Discover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must: - Be at least 17 years old - Prove U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S. - Maintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate - Pass a computerized knowledge exam - Pass an oral test and a check ride - Log 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more) With your [Private Pilot License](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/private-pilots-license/), you can: - Fly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine) - Fly in good weather during the day or at night - Fly solo or with passengers Certified Private Pilots CANNOT: - Get paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight - Fly in inclement weather – unless/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below ### Instrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications Before progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to operate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather, relying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not technically required to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather. You’ll also choose whether to pursue ratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes. Each has its own requirements. Along the way, you’ll pick up Type Ratings, which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in [our fleet](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/fleet/) all the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s. Instructor Certifications allow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways: - Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) - Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating ### Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Getting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds [Fast-Track Commercial Pilot License program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/commercial-pilot-fast-track/)! To achieve this goal, you must: - Be at least 18 years old - Hold a PPL - Pass the FAA Knowledge Exam - Pass an oral test and check ride - Log additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs/landings at towered airports, and more) Once you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can: - Get paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more - Continue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications - Pursue the requirements to fly for a major airline ### Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP) If how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification. One of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain 1,500 hours of flight time – which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower\! [Becoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/becoming-a-pilot-through-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics-program/) can qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how: The FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time. As a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with [FAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility](https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf), American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever\! - Our [Associate Degree Program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/associate-degree/) can be fast-tracked for completion in just one year. By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only 1,250 flight hours. - Our [Bachelor Degree Program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/bachelors-degree/) in partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at [the American Winds campus](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/campus/). You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only 1,000 flight hours. ## Earn Your Pilot License with American Winds Ready to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster! [Get started today](https://www.americanwinds.edu/request-information/?fsm_form_selection=Enroll_Today#progressive-form) – and feel your future take flight\! About American Winds Since 2002, American Winds has been helping Future Captains find their wings in Ohio’s skies. As an FAA-certified Flight School and fully accredited College of Aeronautics, we offer programs and training for a variety of career paths – including flying for the major airlines and freight carriers – as well as certification for flight instructors and private pilots. Founder and Chief Flight Instructor Denise Hobart and her team take great pride in providing the best individualized training and instruction in a safe, professional environment. How can we help your pilot dreams take flight today? Find your wings at American Winds Want to get your career cleared for takeoff? Gain altitude and groundspeed at American Winds – and feel your future take flight\! [Enroll Today](https://www.americanwinds.edu/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot/) [Get Information](https://www.americanwinds.edu/requirements-for-becoming-a-pilot/) [← Previous](https://www.americanwinds.edu/why-choose-us-flight-school-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics/) [Next →](https://www.americanwinds.edu/frequently-asked-questions-pilot-training/) ## Related Articles ![FPO Logo FSM](https://www.americanwinds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AWIN-logo-horiz-full-color.svg) Contact Us [1-330-733-2500](tel:13307332500) [Email Us](mailto:admissions@americanwinds.edu) Located at Akron Fulton Airport - KAKR [1600 Triplett Blvd, Building B Akron, OH 44306](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8furWvdnxu4Yk2GW6) [Download the Academic Catalog](https://www.americanwinds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025-2026-Academic-Catalog.pdf "Academic Catalog") © 2026 American Winds College of Aeronautics \\| [Privacy Policy](https://www.americanwinds.edu/privacy-policy/) \\| [Accessibility Statement](https://www.americanwinds.edu/accessibility-statement/) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=382365330424313&ev=PageView&noscript=1)
Readable Markdown	Dreaming of defying gravity? We get it! But before you can slide into that left-hand seat of an airplane, you need to gain some knowledge, build some skills and get some certifications. American Winds is your wingman on this! As [one of the best flight schools in Ohio](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/) and a fully [accredited College of Aeronautics](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/accreditation/), we’re your trusted resource for American pilot requirements. Read on for answers to your questions, including: - What’s the difference between flight school and ground school? - What are the requirements to start flight school? - How do you get a student pilot certificate? - What are the requirements to become a pilot in general? - How do you become an airline pilot? It’s so exciting that you want to explore how to be a pilot! Flight school is where you’ll take off, and there are two types of training you’ll get there: - Ground Training – In a classroom setting or online classes, you’ll gain foundational knowledge, like the physics beyond flight, how to analyze weather hazards, airport rules and more. - Flight Lessons – Under the supervision of an experienced Certified Flight Instructor, you’ll get hands-on experience with operating a plane, including taking off and landing, communicating with air traffic controllers, recovering from stalls and more. American Winds makes sure you have lots of support and [resources](https://www.americanwinds.edu/resources/) along the way to becoming a private and/or commercial pilot. Here are the basic requirements for starting flight school: ### High School Diploma A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in flight school. You also must be at least 16 years old to begin officially training to become a pilot – but you can start flying lessons before that. ### Student Pilot Certificate American Winds will help you apply to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for your Student Pilot Certificate once you’ve enrolled in our flight school. This official document confirms that you qualify to undertake flight training. Think of it as the temporary permit you carry while practicing to take the exam for a driver’s license. Qualifications for a Student Pilot Certificate include: - The ability to speak, read and understand the English language because FAA communications in the U.S. are always conducted in English. - Proof of your identity because the FAA adheres to regulations form the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for preventing security risks. ### Medical Clearance You’ll need at least a [Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-67) from the FAA to become a pilot. This step involves filling out some paperwork and undergoing a physical examination from an [Approved Medical Examiner](https://designee.faa.gov/#/designeeLocator). During the exam, a physician will make sure you meet minimum requirements for: - Vision – 20/20 with or without corrective lenses - Hearing – Ability to hear and understand conversations from 6 feet away - Neurological Health – No history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders - Cardiovascular health – No history of heart disease or cardiac surgeries - Mental Health – No history of psychosis, substance abuse or mental disorders ## Types of Pilot Licenses and Other Certifications Wondering how to become a commercial pilot? Got your sights set on flying for the major airlines? Or are you only interested in flying privately for pure exhilaration? You can do all of that at American Winds\! Much like a temporary driver’s license typically leads to a fully authorized driver’s license – and then possibly to a commercial driver’s license and other credentialing – your Student Pilot Certificate is just the beginning of your flight trajectory. Here are the main options for taking flight for fun or income: ### Private Pilot License (PPL) Discover the freedom of flying solo in as little as 3 months! To trade up from your Student Pilot License to this certification, you must: - Be at least 17 years old - Prove U.S. citizenship or TSA approval for training in the U.S. - Maintain a Third-Class Airman Medical Certificate - Pass a computerized knowledge exam - Pass an oral test and a check ride - Log 40 hours of flight time (including solo, night, cross-country, and more) With your [Private Pilot License](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/private-pilots-license/), you can: - Fly any plane in the category you’re rated for (single engine or multi-engine) - Fly in good weather during the day or at night - Fly solo or with passengers Certified Private Pilots CANNOT: - Get paid to fly solo, with passengers or with freight - Fly in inclement weather – unless/until an Instrument Rating is obtained – see more on that below ### Instrument Ratings & Instructor Certifications Before progressing to a Commercial Pilot License, most students work toward an Instrument Rating. This FAA-issued endorsement means that you’ve been trained to operate an aircraft without visual cues in inclement weather, relying only on the instruments in your craft. It’s not technically required to qualify for a Commercial Pilot License – but most companies don’t want to hire a pilot who’s limited to only flying in perfectly clear weather. You’ll also choose whether to pursue ratings for single-engine planes or multi-engine planes. Each has its own requirements. Along the way, you’ll pick up Type Ratings, which designate the model and type of aircraft you’re trained to operate. There’s a type rating for everything from the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine craft in [our fleet](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/fleet/) all the way up to the big planes, like Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s. Instructor Certifications allow you to teach others how to be a pilot. You must first achieve a Commercial Pilot License – which allows you to fly for pay – then you can become certified to teach in any of three ways: - Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) - Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) – requires completion of Multi-Engine Rating ### Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Getting paid to fly is a goal for many ambitious pilots. You can become a commercial pilot in as little as one year with the American Winds [Fast-Track Commercial Pilot License program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/commercial-pilot-fast-track/)! To achieve this goal, you must: - Be at least 18 years old - Hold a PPL - Pass the FAA Knowledge Exam - Pass an oral test and check ride - Log additional 250 hours of flight time (including PIC, nighttime cross-country, minimum takeoffs/landings at towered airports, and more) Once you’ve received your Commercial Pilot License from the FAA, you can: - Get paid to fly for private or corporate charters, delivery and freight companies, flight schools and more - Continue expanding your skill set with more FAA ratings and certifications - Pursue the requirements to fly for a major airline ### Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP) If how to become an airline pilot is on your radar, you’ll need an Airline Transport Pilot certification, aka the ATP. It’s the credential that the FAA requires to fly as a captain for the commercial airlines – and it’s the highest level of FAA certification. One of the requirements for an ATP certification is to gain 1,500 hours of flight time – which can be expensive and time-consuming. But it is possible to bring that daunting number a little lower\! [Becoming a pilot through the American Winds College of Aeronautics program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/becoming-a-pilot-through-american-winds-college-of-aeronautics-program/) can qualify you for a Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certification that requires less total flight time. Here’s how: The FAA has granted authority to certain colleges and universities with approved aviation degree programs to issue a diploma called the Restricted ATP upon completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree in aviation. This second diploma with the FAA logo will allow college or university graduates to be hired by the airlines with less flight time. As a fully accredited College of Aeronautics with [FAA authorization to certify graduates for R-ATP eligibility](https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf), American Winds can help you become an airline pilot faster than ever\! - Our [Associate Degree Program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/associate-degree/) can be fast-tracked for completion in just one year. By completing an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Aviation, you’ll also receive an R-ATP Diploma that allows you to hire into the major airlines with only 1,250 flight hours. - Our [Bachelor Degree Program](https://www.americanwinds.edu/programs/commercial-pilots-license/bachelors-degree/) in partnership with Liberty University lets you do academic coursework online while completing ground school and flight training in person at [the American Winds campus](https://www.americanwinds.edu/about-us/campus/). You’ll finish with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation and an R-ATP Diploma that qualifies you for the airlines with only 1,000 flight hours. ## Earn Your Pilot License with American Winds Ready to set a course for how to be a pilot? American Winds College of Aeronautics is one of very few flight schools in Ohio that can get you behind the stick faster! [Get started today](https://www.americanwinds.edu/request-information/?fsm_form_selection=Enroll_Today#progressive-form) – and feel your future take flight\!
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