<P> The majority of pilots hold a private pilot license . To obtain a private pilot license, one must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 35--45 hours of flight time, including at least 20 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of solo flight . Pilots trained according to accelerated curricula outlined in Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations may be certified with a minimum of 35 hours of flight time . Private pilots may not fly for compensation or hire . However, they may carry passengers as long as the pilot has the appropriate training, ratings, and endorsements . Private pilots must have a current Class III medical exam, which must be renewed every 24 or 60 months (depending on age). In addition, private pilots must re-validate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a certificated flight instructor (CFI). </P> <P> An instrument rating is technically not a pilot certificate, but an add - on that allows a pilot to fly in weather with reduced visibilities such as rain, low clouds, or heavy haze . When flying in these conditions, pilots follow instrument flight rules (IFR). The training provides the skills needed to complete flights without visual reference to the ground, except for the takeoff and landing phases . In the US, all pilots who fly above 18,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) (a lower limit of Class A airspace) must have an instrument rating . </P> <P> This rating requires highly specialized training by a certificated flight instructor (CFI) with a special instrument instruction rating (CFII), and completion of an additional written exam, oral exam, and flight test . Pilots applying for an instrument rating must hold a current private pilot certificate and medical, have logged at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot - in - command, and have at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time including at least 15 hours of instrument flight training and instrument training on cross-country flight procedures . </P> <P> Commercial pilots can be paid to fly an aircraft . To obtain a commercial pilot license, one must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 250 hours of total flight time (190 hours under the accelerated curriculum defined in Part 141 of the Federal Aviation Regulations). This includes 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in airplanes, and 100 hours as pilot - in - command (of which 50 hours must be cross-country flight time). In addition, commercial pilots must hold an instrument rating, or otherwise they would be restricted to flying for hire only in daylight, under visual flight rules (VFR), and within 50 miles of the originating airport . </P>

How old do you have to be to get a pilot's licence