Flying an aircraft can be stressful for many people. But for those who enjoy the airtime, becoming a pilot is a great profession that not only sounds exciting but can also pay really well. That being said, not everyone wants to fly an Airbus A330 or a Boeing 777 airliner. Becoming a private jet pilot may be the right path for those who prefer a smaller aircraft. Here are some things you’ll need to become a private jet pilot in the United States.
Private Pilot Certificate
You’ll need formal training to start working as a private pilot. A private pilot certificate is awarded to candidates that pass pilot training from an accredited school. These courses ensure that every pilot meets basic requirements before they can fly their own private jet charter in West Palm Beach or anywhere in the US.
There is no fixed age limit for when you can enroll in a private jet pilot program, but you must at least be 16 years of age to fly a private jet on your own and at least 17 years of age to earn a certificate.
In addition, you must have logged at least 40 hours of flight time in order to qualify for a private pilot certificate. Those 40 hours include your combined solo flight time and dual flight time. 10 hours of solo flight time and 20 hours of instructor-accompanied flight time are required in order to get the certificate.
Note that while the FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, only requires at least 40 hours of flight time, you may end up taking longer to become a proficient private jet pilot.
Apart from practical training, you’ll also spend a good amount of time building your knowledge base with regard to flight, including but not limited to aircraft systems, weather patterns, legal restrictions and regulations, and navigation. Last but not least, you’ll need to receive and pass a medical exam that is administered by an FAA-certified examiner.
Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Type Ratings
Once you obtain a private pilot certificate, you are now allowed to fly under VFR. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules. These guidelines allow you to navigate using only visual references that you can see within your surroundings. These include the horizon, constellations, and ground-based landmarks.
Qualifying under VFR also means measuring your distance from the clouds and maintaining visibility requirements for other aircraft. Fundamentally speaking, you should avoid high precipitation, low visibility, and clouds when you are flying under VFR.
In addition to VFR, you also need a type rating when working as a private jet pilot.
A type rating refers to the type of jet you are trained and qualified to fly. To fly a specific jet from a specific manufacturer, you must have a type rating for that jet. In some cases, even flying a different model jet from the same manufacturer still requires you to secure a type rating.
Commercial Pilot Certificate
A commercial pilot certificate is needed to legally fly a jet for hire or to start working for a company that hires pilots. This certificate is required in conjunction with a private pilot certificate. A commercial pilot program is tailored to give students a deeper look into aircraft operations and help them execute maneuvers with better precision.
A commercial pilot certificate also opens up the avenue to apply and work in other roles within the aviation industry. These include aerial surveillance, aerial firefighting, gas and oil patrol, and air paramedics. That said, you may need to pass additional exams and secure specific certifications in order to apply for these roles.
Moreover, keep in mind that having a commercial pilot certificate does not immediately qualify you to fly for a commercial airline. Each company has its own set of requirements for its pilots, including an airline transport pilot certificate.
Final Thoughts
As with any profession, becoming a private jet pilot has its own pros and cons. You get to travel to places you might not have been unable to go otherwise, have a flexible schedule, and have an interesting set of clientele. But it also has its downsides that you should consider before signing up. A good charter school can help you determine whether or not a private jet pilot is the right career choice for you.
