How to Get a PP or CPL in Michigan

Determine whether you qualify for training for the private pilot's certificate. To train to receive your private pilot's license you must be at least 17 years old and pass a third-class F.A.A. medical examination. You must receive ground school training from a qualified instructor or from a home study course in areas of basic aeronautical knowledge. You must pass a written examination on these topics with a score of 70 percent or better. Then, you'll need at least 40 hours of flight training. A minimum of 20 hours must be accompanied by an instructor and at least 10 hours must be solo flight time. You'll have to pass a final flight examination and demonstrate practical flying skills to an F.A.A. inspector or designated flight examiner.

Go online to find directories of general aviation organizations. A good starting point to find flight training in Michigan is the Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association (A.O.P.A.) "Learn To Fly" website. The site includes a search tool to find nearby flight training by local ZIP code. The A.O.P.A. site lists more than 100 flight training providers in Michigan.

Gain cockpit experience and advance your skill level. Any pilot who wants to fly and get paid for it must have a commercial pilot's license. You'll need to be at least 18 years old and already have your private pilot's license and have earned an instrument rating. You must hold a current third-class F.A.A. medical certificate (after training you'll need to pass a second-class medical exam before carrying passengers for hire.) Training for the CPL begins with ground school instruction from a qualified instructor or from a home study course in advanced aeronautical knowledge. You must pass an examination on these topics with a score of 70 percent or better. Flight training requires an accumulation of 250 hours of flight time and a final flight examination conducted by an F.A.A. inspector or designated flight examiner.

Consider career training at a public or private institution of higher learning in Michigan to get your commercial license. A commercial pilot's license can be obtained as part of the aviation degree curriculum at some two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Most have flying clubs associated with the school that provide aircraft rental and instructors at rates competitive with private commercial flight schools. The College of Aviation at Western Michigan University offers one of the largest commercial pilot training programs in the United States. The University Of Michigan and several community colleges in the state also offer ground courses and sponsor clubs for flight training. Many of the private-sector flight schools in Michigan provide instruction up to the commercial level. Pilot Journey's online directory lists more than 25 private flight schools with commercial instructors on staff.