What pilot certificated should you get?

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I know this is under the Private Pilot section, but it is still a question that is asked quite often. What pilot certificate should you get? I’m going to briefly discuss several, but there are only three pilot certificates which you can go for first. They are: Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot. Each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages and is largely up to you and what type of flying you want to do. The following certificates are described based on Part 61 Requirements. Keep in mind that a pilot may go the Part 141, but that is not described here. There is a brief summary table at the end of this section. All pilot certificates require the applicant to be able to read, speak, and write the English language.

The student pilot certificate and medical certificate look like this (not to scale):

The sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, and commercial pilot certificate look like this (not to scale):

The only difference is what title is printed above the certificate number.

Student Pilot Certificate

The student pilot certification regulations can, in part, be found in Part 61 Subpart C (§61.81 to §61.95). There is no flight time requirement for the student pilot certificate to be issued. The student pilot certificate essentially permits you to fly solo, when properly endorsed. You will be required to get a student pilot certificate on your path to a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or private pilot certificate. You must be at least 16 years of age to be issued a student pilot certificate. You are not allowed to carry passengers while solo. A student pilot may not fly in weather conditions less than those prescribed for VFR flight. A student pilot may only fly by what is permitted through endorsements and limitations in their logbook, given by an authorized instructor. A student pilot can technically/legally fly solo at night (unless you are going for Sport Pilot, and then you are not allowed) when properly endorsed, however, it is rare that an instructor and flight school will allow and endorse a student to do so. A student pilot may not carry any person or property for hire.

If you are going for the recreational pilot certificate or private pilot certificate, your medical is the same as your student pilot certificate (both need to be requested from an AME). If you are going for the sport pilot certificate, you do not need a medical certificate, but still must get a student pilot certificate.

Other information for the student pilot certificate can be found:
http://www.aviation.starryfox.com/studentpilot.html

The student pilot certificate and medical certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). You can find more information about an AME here:
People you will meet on your path to a pilot certificate

Sport Pilot Certificate

The sport pilot certification regulations can, in part, be found in Part 61 Subpart J (§61.301 to §61.327). You need a minimum of 20 hours of flight time for the sport pilot certificate and need to be at least 17 years of age. When you hold a valid U.S Drivers license, and have not been denied on a previous attempt to get an FAA Medical certificate, you do not need an FAA Medical certificate for a sport pilot certificate. Unlike the recreational pilot certificate and private pilot certificate, when you get a sport pilot certificate, you are given a pilot certificate no category or class ratings. You are given category and class privileges through endorsements. With a sport pilot certificate, you are only allowed to fly aircraft that fall under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. You are not allowed to fly more than one passenger, or at night. You are allowed to fly cross country flights, at towered airports, and in different types of airspace with the proper training and endorsements. You are not permitted to get an instrument rating with this certificate. A sport pilot, in general, cannot fly people or property for compensation or hire, or in furtherance of a business.

Recreational Pilot Certificate

The recreational pilot certification regulations can, in part, be found in Part 61 Subpart D (§61.96 to §61.101). You need a minimum of 30 hours of flight time for the recreational pilot certificate and must be at least 17 years of age. You need to have at least a 3rd class FAA Medical certificate. You are granted a recreational pilot certificate with an appropriate category and class rating. This certificate is similar to the sport pilot certificate. You are not allowed to fly more than one passenger, or at night. You may fly at night while under supervision, as the sole occupant, if you are working towards additional certificates or ratings. This certificate limits you to aircraft with fixed landing gear and with powerplants less than 180 HP. You are also not permitted to fly aircraft certified for more than four occupants. You are not permitted to get an instrument rating with this certificate. A recreational pilot, in general, cannot fly people or property for compensation or hire, or in furtherance of a business. You may fly aircraft that fall under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

Private Pilot Certificate

The private pilot certification regulations can, in part, be found in Part 61 Subpart E (§61.102 to §61.120). You need a minimum of 40 hours of flight time for the private pilot certificate and need to be at least 17 years of age. If you have any intention of an instrument rating or getting a commercial pilot certificate, you must have at least a private pilot certificate. You need to have at least a 3rd class FAA Medical certificate. You are granted a private pilot certificate with an appropriate category and class rating. The private pilot certificate permits you to fly day or night, in visual conditions, and with passengers. A private pilot, in general, cannot fly people or property for compensation or hire. A type rating is required for any aircraft over 12,500 lbs MGTOW and/or with a turbojet powerplant. A private pilot needs additional endorsements for some aircraft, such as: high performance, complex, or tailwheel. You may fly aircraft that fall under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. A private pilot needs an instrument rating to act as Pilot in Command in conditions less than prescribed for VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions). Instrument rating requirements can be found under §61.65.

Other information for the private pilot certificate can be found:
http://www.aviation.starryfox.com/privatepilot.html

Commercial Pilot Certificate

The commercial pilot certification regulations can, in part, be found in Part 61 Subpart F (§61.121 to §61.141). You need at least 250 hours of flight time for the commercial pilot certificate and need to be at least 18 years of age. You need to have at least a 2nd class FAA Medical certificate to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot. You do not need an instrument rating to get a commercial pilots certificate, however, you are more restricted without an instrument rating. You may not fly for hire at night, or on cross country trips more than 50 nm if you do not have an instrument rating. The commercial pilot certificate alone is more of a stepping stone to other operations, such as Part 121 (Airline) or Part 135 (On-Demand Charter); otherwise, there are limited operations a pilot with a commercial pilot certificate can do. The commercial pilot certificate is a requirement for the Flight Instructor certificate.

Pilot Certificate Summary

The following table summarizes some of the most basic requirements and limitations.

*Based on Part 61 Training.
** Whether you need a medical certificate as part of the student pilot certificate depends on if you are going for a sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or private certificate. You do not need a medical certificate if you are going for sport pilot certificate or a glider rating. You only need a U.S. driver’s license as your medical for sport pilot. See 14 CFR §61.3 (c) and 14 CRFR §61.303.
*** If given the proper training, endorsements, and supervision.
****While under supervision, as sole occupant, for additional certificates or ratings.