Aviation Certifications

Aviation certifications range from the $175 Part 107 drone cert to the ATP required for airline pilots. Military pilots get significant credit toward civilian certificates.

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Private Pilot License (PPL)

Requirements

• Age 17 (Sport Pilot: 16)
• Third-class FAA medical certificate
• 40 hours minimum flight time (national average: 60-70 hours)
  • 20 hours dual instruction
  • 10 hours solo (including 5-hour cross-country)
  • 3 hours cross-country solo
  • 3 hours night flying
  • 3 hours simulated instrument conditions
• Written knowledge test (PAR) + checkride with FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

Cost Breakdown (2025-2026)

Item	Cost
Flight hours (Cessna 172, 60-70 hrs)	$9,000-$14,000
Instructor (60-70 hrs)	$3,000-$7,000
Written test (PSI/Pearson)	$165
Checkride (DPE fee)	$700-$1,000
Medical exam	$75-$150
Headset, books, materials	$500-$1,000
Total estimate	$15,000-$30,000

GI Bill and Flight Training

PPL is NOT GI Bill Eligible on Its Own

The VA considers PPL a non-career certification. To use GI Bill for flight training, the training must be part of a degree-granting institution OR be training beyond PPL (Instrument, Commercial, CFI, etc.).

What IS covered:

• Instrument Rating, Commercial, Multi-engine, CFI — up to $17,097.67/academic year (Chapter 33)
• Must attend a VA-approved Part 141 or 142 flight school
• Second-class medical certificate required
• VA Flight Training Info
• VA-Approved Flight Schools

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Military Pilot Credit (Part 61.73)

Skip the Checkride

Military pilots of manned aircraft can receive a civilian certificate without a practical test. Provide military logbook excerpts, pass the Military Competency knowledge test (MCH code), and apply via IACRA.

Military helicopter pilots can receive a Commercial certificate with rotorcraft rating — no checkride required.

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Pathway to Airlines (ATP)

Step	Certificate	Hours Required	Notes
1	Private Pilot (PPL)	40-70	Entry point
2	Instrument Rating	+40-50	Required for commercial ops
3	Commercial Pilot	250 total	Can be paid to fly
4	CFI / CFII	—	Most common hour-building path
5	ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)	1,500 total	1,000 with aviation degree; 750 with military experience (R-ATP)

Military R-ATP

Military pilots qualify for Restricted ATP at 750 hours instead of the standard 1,500. This is the fastest path to the airlines for military aviators.

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Military Programs

RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group)

• Nonprofit helping veterans transition to aviation careers
• Scholarships for fixed-wing training
• Mentoring and annual convention
• rtag.org

SkillBridge — Aviation

• Flex Air Commercial Pilot Gateway — use last 180 days of service for aviation training on active duty pay

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Alternative Certificates

Certificate	Requirements	Cost	Best For
Sport Pilot	Age 16, valid driver’s license (no medical needed)	$5,000-$8,000	Recreation, 2-seat light sport aircraft
Recreational Pilot	Limited to 50nm from home airport	Similar to PPL	Not widely pursued
Part 107 Remote Pilot	Written test only	$175	Commercial drone operations

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Career Outlook

• Regional airline first officers: $50,000-$80,000 (first year)
• Major airline captains: $200,000-$400,000+
• Corporate/charter pilots: $80,000-$150,000
• Flight instructor (hour building): $30,000-$50,000
• Airline pilot shortage expected to continue through 2030+

Best MOS fit: 15-series (Aviation), any military pilot (fixed/rotary wing)

Related Pages

• FAA Part 107
• Certification Funding
• Leaving Service