Private Pilots

Private Pilots

Private pilots are part of civil aviation pilots, though they fly for personal causes, and don't fly for hire. Most private pilots in most countries practice general aviation, though general aviation flights are for the most part, commercial (e.g. Banner towing, crop dusting, etc.)

Private Pilots in the U.S.A. require a Private Pilot Certificate that acts as a license in order to legally fly aircrafts. A private pilot license is a qualification that allows the bearer to act, or be the pilot of an an aircraft for private causes, and not for renumeration. It is issued by the aviation authorities of the particular nation. There are several basic requirements to become a private pilot, and for the most part, the license and privileges involved are universal. Implementation varies from country to country, though universally, a private pilot must have successfully completed a course in flight training, with at least 40 – 45 hours of duration; must have passed several theoretical exams, and of course, must have been successful in displaying flying skills to an examiner during a check ride or flight test. The usual minimum age for a pilot license is 17, though some countries have different age requirements.

There are different types of private pilot licenses, depending on the aircraft (airplanes, helicopters, balloons, blimps, gyroplanes, and airships). A specific license will have a certain number of ratings, or sub-qualifications, which specify in detail the privileges of the licence, such as the type of aircraft that may be flown, what kind of flights are allowed ( night flights, instrument flight) , and if the pilot has the authority to instruct or examine other trainee pilots. Of course, these privileges extend only within that particular nation's airspace, so those who want to have transnational licenses ought to take a separate qualification exam for it.

A private flight is defined by the purpose, not by the aircraft or the pilot. A commercially-licensed pilot who flies a commercially-registered plane for visiting family or friends, or attend a business meeting is considered a private flight, even though commercial licenses or commercial planes are used. On the other hand, a flight is considered commercial if the flight partakes in providing a specific service (e.g. Transportation of goods), even though a private aircraft is used.

Private pilots are usually not paid (unless they were rented by a private aircraft owner); nor does the owner / operator of the aircraft receive money for making the flight, besides renting the pilot, in certain cases. Strangely enough, private pilots adhere to standards less strict than those of commercial pilots. Maintenance tasks such as tire and oil changes for example, may be changed by the owners or pilots themselves, but commercial planes have to get their oil and tires changed by licensed mechanics. Also, private pilots have laxer standards when it comes to qualifiying for private licenses, but commercial pilots are subject to taking more rigorous examinations.