Can i be a recreational pilot?

Question

im fifteen and want to get a pilots license later on. not to become a airline pilot or such but so i can fly to other countries for humanitarian issues. how far would i have to learn/train so i can do that?

Answer 1

Well, considering the fact that you want to fly humanitarian relief you are going to have to get more than just a Recreational or a Private.  

Here is one example of the requirements from a missionary organization and are pretty much the minimum requirements you are going to find to fly humanitarian type work:

1.  Commercial Pilot Certificate

2.  Instrument Rating

3.  300 hours PIC(Pilot In Command)

4.  Aircraft Mechanic with A&P(Airframe and Powerplant) rating

And this is just assuming they only have single engine aircraft.  If they have multi-engine aircraft you have to get a Multi-Engine Certificate.  Plus you would have to be an airplane mechanic which is about a year and a half long school.

There is another organization called Air Serv International.  They require the following:

"If you are a Pilot with a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (ATP Preferred), Instrument Rating and 1500 hrs PIC, have an airman certificate with an endorsement of language proficiency, you might just have a future with Air Serv International."

So you have to be a Commercial Pilot with instrument rating and 1500 hours as Pilot in Command.

So based on this, if you ever want to be a relief pilot, it would be a waste of time to get your Recreational Pilot Certificate as you would have to get your Private Pilot Certificate in order to move on to the other ratings.  

So basically these are the ratings you need and the basic flight time required:

1.  Private Pilot - Usually takes about 45-50 hrs to get

2.  Instrument Pilot - At least 40 hours past private

3.  Commercial Pilot - A minimum of 190 hrs in a Part 141 school or 250 hrs in a Part 91 school

Oh, and you have to be 16 in order to solo.  You can start working on your Private Pilot now and once you turn 16 solo and finish your certificate.

Answer 2

You can learn to fly ultralight airplanes to start with.  You can get your ultralight or sport pilot license first.  Check out http://www.freedomfield.com for more information.

Answer 3

In the U.K. you cannot go solo until you are 16 but you can fly a plane with an instructor before that...     any age really I think as long as you can reach the controls adequately.

Answer 4

Here are the basic FAA guidelines for getting your pilot certificate...

16 years old to solo a powered aircraft (age requirement)

There is no dual instruction requirement on this..I have soloed guys at 7 hours..and some at 25...it all depends on your devotion to training...

I would highly recommend dropping the idea of recreational pilot...You still have to complete 95% of the training required for a private pilot...and you will be awarded with endless restrictions....no cross country without an endorsement...can't fly anything that seats more than 4 people...on and on...

You are far better off going for your private pilot certificate...it's worth its weight in gold at the end...you can go where you want when you want... If you are being compensated  you will need to get your commercial certificate.....

Go for it!

Jonathan S

ATP-LRJET,HS-125

CFI/AGI

Answer 5

im not sure about the actual training but i've read stories of 8 year olds who have flown like from us to canada so check out like the FAA or something about age rules and classes plus im 13 so i could do it to