Important Certifications for Any Cargo Pilot

If you gaze into the skies above any major metropolitan area, you’ll likely see airplanes crossing overhead frequently. While many planes carry passengers, a significant number of them act as transportation for products, medicine and even mail. With so much traffic in the sky, there’s always a market for people who are certified to operate aircraft. If you’re considering enrolling in a cargo pilot course in Conroe, TX, or any other area, here are three important certifications you’ll need to receive during your studies.

Private Pilot’s License

The first step towards any career in aviation starts with a private pilot’s license, as it gives you the authorization to fly on your own or carry noncommercial passengers along for the ride. To receive this certification, you’ll need to spend a significant amount of time behind the yoke with an instructor as well as studying for written exams on avionics, laws, policies and procedures. It takes a total of 40 hours of flying time, which must also include a minimum of 20 hours with an instructor and 10 solo hours.

Instrument Rating

Once you’ve received your private license, your next objective should be to receive an instrument rating. Weather conditions can change at any time, which is why any professional needs to be able to fly safely with limited visibility. To receive this designation, you’ll need to log another 50 hours of cross-country flight time as the pilot in command, 40 hours under instrument flight rules and 15 hours of additional instructional time. For this section of a cargo pilot course in Conroe, TX, you’ll also have to pass written examinations that are much more detailed than the assessments for a standard certificate.

Commercial Certificate

Now you’re authorized to fly under instrument flight rules, the next thing to check off your list is a commercial certification. If you ever plan to pilot a plane for money, you’re legally required to have this license. To be certified as a commercial aviator, you’ll need to log 250 hours of flight time with no more than 100 of those hours in an approved simulator. The time commitment is significant for this designation, but it will open up a world of career opportunities.

Get Started Today

Now you know a few of the different certifications needed to complete a cargo pilot course in Conroe, TX, your first step should be to find an experienced school to begin your training. If you dedicate yourself to becoming a great aviator, the sky is truly the limit for your career.