Prerequisite: Student Pilot Cert (or meet requirements), Valid Driver License OR Medical Cert. Min age 17 (16 for glider/balloon). Min flight time (~20hrs). Passed tests.

Allows flying Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) with limitations (e.g., 1 passenger, daytime VFR, below 10,000ft MSL). Faster/cheaper entry point. Can transition to PPL.

Prerequisite: Student Pilot Cert, Medical Cert (Class 3+). Min age 17. Min flight time (~30hrs). Passed tests.

More privileges than SPL but less than PPL. Limitations (e.g., 1 passenger, ≤180hp, daytime, ≤50nm from departure airport unless endorsed). Less common than SPL/PPL. Can transition to PPL.

Prerequisite: Student Pilot Certificate (or SPL/RPC with additional training), Medical Cert (Class 3+). Min age 17. Min flight time (~40hrs). Passed tests.

Allows flying single-engine land aircraft (ASEL) for pleasure/personal transport, carry passengers (not for hire). Common foundation.

Prerequisite: PPL or CPL Certificate. Specific cross-country & instrument time logged. Passed tests.

Allows flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Essential for flying in low visibility/clouds and increases safety/utility. Added to an existing certificate.

Prerequisite: Usually PPL. Required to act as PIC of specific aircraft categories.

Logbook entries after ground/flight training. Examples: Complex (retractable gear, flaps, controllable prop), High-Performance ( more than 200HP), Tailwheel, High Altitude, Pressurized. Complex/HP often needed before CPL checkride.

Prerequisite: PPL, Medical Cert (Class 2+). Min age 18. Increased flight hours (typically 250hrs, Part 141 allows less). IR highly recommended (required for unrestricted privileges). Complex/HP endorsement usually needed. Passed tests.

Allows flying for compensation or hire under specific regulations. Gateway to professional flying.

Prerequisite: PPL or CPL Certificate. Passed practical test.

Allows acting as PIC of multi-engine land aircraft. Can be added anytime after PPL, often pursued during/after CPL training. Added to an existing certificate.

Prerequisite: CPL (or ATP), Medical Cert (Class 3+). IR required for CFII & MEI. Passed Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) & specific knowledge/practical tests (CFI-A, CFI-I, MEI).

Allows giving flight/ground instruction. CFI (Airplane Single Engine), CFII (Instrument Instructor), MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor). Common way to build flight time towards ATP.

Prerequisite: CPL, IR, Medical Cert (Class 1+). Min age 23 (21 for Restricted-ATP). Significant flight time (1500hrs; R-ATP exceptions ~750-1250hrs). ATP-CTP course completion. Passed tests.

Highest level certificate. Required to act as PIC or SIC for Part 121 airline operations and some other commercial operations.