• Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
• Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor, certifying that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
• Pass the required knowledge test.
• Receive flight training from an authorized instructor.
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements before applying for the practical test.
• Pass the practical test (checkride).

• Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
• Pass the required knowledge test.
• Receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements that apply to the category and class rating sought.
• Pass the practical test (checkride) on the areas of operation that apply.

For example, an airman’s category might be Airplane, while his class is single-engine. Similarly his category might be Rotorcraft, while his class is Helicopter.

With respect to certification of aircraft, category means a grouping of aircraft based upon intended use or operating limitations such as: transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, limited, restricted, and provisional. Class means a broad grouping of aircraft having similar characteristics of propulsion, flight, or landing such as: airplane, rotorcraft, glider, balloon, landplane, and seaplane.

For example, an aircraft’s category might be Utility, while its class is Rotorcraft. Similarly its category might be Airplane, while its class is Acrobatic.

• That person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days.
• The person acted as the sole manipulator of the flight controls.
• And the required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).

For a complete ground school program you can do at home, check out our Virtual Test Prep DVD Ground School, which includes Prepware, in either Widescreen, or Blu-ray edition.