- The FAA requires that student pilots posses a "student pilot certificate," which allows him to legally pilot an airplane solo once he has completed the appropriate training. The student pilot certificate includes a medical check performed by an Aviation Medical Examiner, or AME. This medical exam is quite basic and determines that the student meets minimum vision and hearing standards and certain other requirements. Sport pilots may use a valid U.S. driver's license in lieu of a medical certificate.
- There are three age limitations pertaining to flight training. The earliest age is 14, at which one may operate a balloon or glider. The minimum age for soloing an airplane is 16, and 17 is the minimum age for receiving a pilot's certificate. There is no maximum age for learning to fly. Regardless of age, the student pilot must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
- Most flight schools require that their students prove U.S. citizenship, which can only be done by presenting a valid birth certificate and U.S. drivers license, or a U.S. passport. Some flight schools are authorized to provide training to noncitizens with some additional paperwork. Usually this involves setting up a TSA account and providing fingerprints and background information before approval. Your specific flight school will have information regarding the documentation you must complete to see if you are eligible for training without citizenship.
- Some flight schools will require that you put down a deposit into a flight account that will then be used as a debit account from which funds are drawn as your training progresses. This is used to ensure that funds will be available since they will be withdrawn--usually after each flight is completed. Be sure to check with your flight school to determine their particular requirements about withdrawals and minimum balances--and be prepared to pay not only for instruction but for aircraft rental and fuel. Some schools give you an all-inclusive total, while others separate the costs.
- Though the legal requirements entail age, language, and medical requirements, to effectively complete flight training, one must have a student mind-set from the first training flight. To complete a pilot training program, a student pilot must also ensure that she has ample time and financial resources to finish the course. The course will generally require several stage checks, or progress checks, and will culminate with two FAA tests. These tests are a standardized written knowledge test and a practical exam, which includes a flight and ground portion conducted by a designated pilot check airman.
