39
votes
I believe I was misdiagnosed with ADHD when I was a small child. Can I get my private pilots licence?
There's a couple of things I want to get out of the way before I actually answer the question.
First, I actually do have ADHD, confirmed via multiple tests, including an EEG. It was never any obstacle ...
- 12.7k
36
votes
Accepted
Are test pilots certified to fly all aircraft types?
Since you didn’t specify a jurisdiction, I’ll answer for the FAA. Others should be similar.
Pilots must be rated for the category, class and (if applicable) type of aircraft. Category is pretty broad, ...
- 27.4k
31
votes
Accepted
Why does the FAA require special authorization to act as PIC in the North American T-28 Trojan?
As the T-28 is a vintage military surplus aircraft it is normally certificated in the Experimental-Exhibition category. For most aircraft in this category, there is no type rating in the traditional ...
- 18.7k
31
votes
What kind of injury would force a Navy EA-6B pilot to stop flying and take a desk job?
Years ago I met a guy with an aerospace supplier I used to deal with in the US, who was a former instructor in the USN in the T-45 Goshawk. I asked him why he quit flying to do what he was doing, and ...
- 121k
30
votes
Do pilots need a different license for each type of aircraft?
Not a different "license" but a different "type rating" - a subtle, but important, distinction.
Although a 747 and a 787 have the same basic controls, controlling them through all ...
- 28.5k
22
votes
Accepted
What is the difference between a Mechanic and a Repairman?
The basic difference is that a mechanic can perform maintenance on any aircraft; a repairman can perform maintenance only on aircraft for their employer, or that they own.
The full details are in 14 ...
- 71.3k
20
votes
Accepted
Can solo time be logged with a passenger?
No, solo means you're alone in the aircraft. 14 CFR 61.51(d) says:
Except for a student pilot performing the duties of pilot in command
of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember, ...
- 71.3k
19
votes
Are test pilots certified to fly all aircraft types?
I worked as a test pilot for my aerospace employer. I have a small collection of ratings, and for unusual operations, and for experimental equipment operations we use Letters of Authorization (LOA). ...
- 17.6k
18
votes
Accepted
What pilot certificates were needed to fly the Space Shuttle?
FAA considers space shuttle either a military aircraft or spacecraft and hence its rules don't apply on space shuttle.
However, requirements to be a pilot for a space shuttle are:
... at least 1,...
- 29.3k
17
votes
What pilot certificates were needed to fly the Space Shuttle?
@Farhan covers the NASA requirements but legally, According to the FAA FAR's
§460.5 Crew qualifications and training.
....
(b) Each member of a flight crew must demonstrate an ability ...
- 99.2k
16
votes
What are the consequences of flying GA without a license (certificate)?
First, if you fly privately without a license can you avoid trouble with the FAA? Yes, if you don't attract attention to yourself.
It's essentially the same as driving a car without a license or ...
- 71.3k
16
votes
What kind of injury would force a Navy EA-6B pilot to stop flying and take a desk job?
Glaucoma would do it -- reduces peripheral vision almost immediately (that's often the cause for diagnosis, unless someone is having medical eye exams on the regular like a diabetic would), leads to ...
- 16.5k
14
votes
What is the expiration period for a 3rd class medical certificate?
According to the table in 14 CFR 61.23 (d), the expiration date of your medical is based on your age "on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate."
So, if you were 39 ...
- 19.2k
14
votes
Accepted
Why does the ACS forbid activation of the stall warning during slow flight?
I attended the ACS webinar on June 25th. This is the response from Christopher Morris at the FAA. You can also read the FAQ on the FAA website.
If the pilot recognizes the stall warning and ...
- 11.8k
14
votes
Accepted
If I buy my own aircraft in which to earn my PPL, does my instructor need to be certified to fly the type of aircraft I own/am training in?
You are sort of correct. For the ground instruction for your basic Private Pilot Certificate, it would not really matter. For the actual flight instruction, the CFI has to be certificated for the ...
- 16.5k
14
votes
What kind of injury would force a Navy EA-6B pilot to stop flying and take a desk job?
A bit more exotic incident would be the one that happened to Finnish Air Force test pilots about ten years ago:
During a test flight of a "frankenplane" put together of two carcasses of F/A-...
- 25.9k
13
votes
Accepted
What is the wording on outline of Wright Flyer on FAA pilot license?
"Without question, flight is represented by countless heroes who have stirred greatness in others. It was a dream that had been waiting to be realized for thousands of years, and chased by countless ...
- 35.9k
13
votes
I am licensed as a Private Pilot, Airplane Multiengine Land, what do I need to do to be able to fly as PIC in a Single Engine Land aircraft?
No, you cannot. Just like an ASEL doesn't give you the ability to fly an AMEL, if you have an AMEL that doesn't give you ASEL privileges.
Adding the ASEL shouldn't be that hard though, especially if ...
- 35.9k
13
votes
Accepted
Why is this low pass considered reckless and resulted in a license loss?
This event appears to have taken place in Argentina. However, I cannot determine if it is a civil aircraft of U.S. registry ("N" numbered aircraft).
If it is not a civil aircraft of U.S. ...
- 27.6k
12
votes
Accepted
Why do multi-engine privileges not propagate down to single-engine?
Just like having a SEL Commercial with a MEL PPL doesn't mean you can operate a MEL commercially.
The certification requirements require the demonstration of particular maneuvers like a Chandelle ...
- 35.9k
12
votes
Accepted
Can I take friends flying with a private pilot glider license?
Glider PPL will suffice, did it yesterday and three or four times in the past three months.
That's me in the back seat preparing to take a co-worker for her first glider ride in a Grob-103:
- 3,626
11
votes
How can I build the 40 hours instrument time required for an instrument rating?
The remainder of the 25 hours can be completed with a Safety Pilot, a CFI, or a CFII.
A safety pilot must be able to act as PIC of the aircraft you are flying. Also, if the safety pilot is acting/...
- 211
11
votes
Is it necessary to have my full name (including middle name) on my student pilot license?
Alright so here is the outcome:
I called FSDO, spoke with a real nice guy who told me to give him a call if I couldn't handle this online.
Called a zillion bureaucracies, all telling me to call ...
- 2,152
11
votes
Accepted
Who checks that pilots have their licenses?
Just as people can go for quite a while driving without a license before they get caught, there is no certain way to catch somebody who goes flying without a license. There are various ways that it ...
- 47.2k
11
votes
Can a PPL holder fly family and friends aboard an A380?
Yes. But you will still need instrument rating and ATPL theory as this is multi crew aircraft. The amount of learning will be the same as to get CPL. Maybe fees for the license will be lower but who ...
- 3,844
11
votes
What is the difference between a rating and a certificate?
@CrossRoads is sort of correct, but is off on the details. The comments cover some of it, and I’d like to clarify and add some detail.
For purposes of airmen certification aircraft are divided into ...
- 7,342
11
votes
I am licensed as a Private Pilot, Airplane Multiengine Land, what do I need to do to be able to fly as PIC in a Single Engine Land aircraft?
You will need to take a checkride with a DPE (or FAA inspector) to be able to be pilot-in-command in an ASEL airplane. Since your license is AMEL only that is the only category and class or aircraft ...
- 11.8k
10
votes
Accepted
How is a type rating administered for aircraft that do not comply with 91.109?
The short of it is that most such ex-military aircraft, and replicas built new to spec on these designs, do not have a "type" as defined by the FAA at all. Because the absence of a type means the ...
- 22.6k
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