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For those that don’t already have a private pilot certificate, helicopter training would also involve private pilot training. It’s a quick and easy add-on for those that already have private pilot certificates. HelicopterĪ helicopter rating can be obtained as an add-on to the Private Pilot Single-Engine Land certificate, similar to a seaplane rating. Seaplanes, also called floatplanes, require just a few hours of additional training in order for a pilot to become proficient enough to fly them – as long as the pilot already has a private pilot certificate.
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Pilots who already have a private pilot certificate can add a seaplane rating to their certificate. (Aircraft with more than two engines require a type-rating specific to that aircraft.) Multi-Engine InstructorĪ CFI that wants to instruct in a multi-engine airplane must first obtain a multi-engine instructor rating (MEI). A multi-engine rating will allow a pilot to – you guessed it – fly in a twin engine aircraft. For others, it’s an optional add-on rating. A multi-engine rating is necessary for most advanced training schools, and for those who want to go on to fly in the airlines. Makes sense, right? Multi-EngineĪ multi-engine rating is an add-on rating to the private pilot certificate. Instrument InstructorĪ certified flight instructor (CFI) must add an instrument instructor rating to his certificate (CFI-I) in order to instruct students that want to obtain an instrument rating. This type of rating can be added on to a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate. Here are a few different types of pilot ratings and endorsements that can be added onto a certificate: InstrumentĪn instrument rating allows a pilot to fly by sole reference to the instruments in the flight deck, and without any reference to the ground outside. In a similar way, he or she might find that an endorsement from an instructor is necessary for some types of flying.
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A private pilot or commercial pilot can add a rating on to their certificate to advance their opportunities. It’s easy to confuse pilot certificates with pilot ratings and pilot endorsements, so it’s important to know the difference. In a previous article, we discussed the six types of pilot certificates a person can obtain.
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