Welcome to the L2F (“Learn to Fly”) Newsletter. We’re here to help you in your journey of becoming a pilot!

Today we’re bringing you an overview of various kinds of pilot licenses; and an intro to common starter airplanes - who doesn’t love talking planes!

Let’s go!

The Major Types of Pilot’s Licenses (And Which One is for You) - Part 1

Of the major types of pilot’s licenses, which is the best? Well, there’s no one answer to this question. Depending on your aviation goals, your aspirations may range from recreational flying to making a career as a pilot.

The major pilot’s licenses include:

• Student

• Sport

• Recreational

• Private

STUDENT PILOT LICENSE

The Student Pilot License is the most basic possible aviation license. It’s the first stepping stone to gaining a less limited certificate.

To obtain a Student Pilot License in the US, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age

• Pass Ground school exams and assessments

• Obtain a Medical Certificate

• Get an endorsement from a licensed instructor

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language

A student pilot with this license can legally fly a plane and start logging hours, but only under heavy supervision. Flights with passengers (other than an instructor) are not Permitted. This certificate is required to obtain any other pilot license, making a student license an excellent early step for any aspiring pilot!

Stick with us for next week where we will outline the Sport Pilot license!

TAKING FLIGHT: BEST STARTER PLANES

New pilots have a variety of options concerning what they want to fly. The best starter planes are relatively easy to learn, common, and inexpensive to purchase and operate. So, what makes a plane easy to fly? The biggest factors are stability, ease of handling, and visibility from the cockpit. Here are the best candidates!

Cessna 172 Skyhawk:

The world’s most produced plane is common for good  reasons! Over 40,000 Cessna 172 Skyhawks have been made since its first flight in 1955. It’s the most popular choice for new pilots, and you won’t have difficulty finding an instructor or other learning resources to help you master the Skyhawk. The Skyhawk is a reliable plane with stable and responsive controls that allow it to maintain straight and level flight without excessive control inputs. The plane’s high-wing configuration also improves stability and resistance to turbulence while giving the cockpit a clear view of the ground.

Piper PA-28 Cherokee:

The Piper Cherokee is another easy-to-fly starter aircraft, which, though less common than the Skyhawk, may be an equal candidate. The most significant difference between the former and the latter is the wing position. While the Skyhawk has a high-wing configuration, the Cherokee has a low-wing one. The low-wing configuration can restrict visibility below the aircraft and reduce stability, but it helps with visibility above the plane and has better ground effect, maximizing lift.

Other Options:

The Cessna Skyhawk and Piper Cherokee are far from the only options! For example, the Cessna 150 is a smaller plane than the 172 but with a similar build, sharing the high-wing design but with only 2 seats. 

Another pilot favorite is the Texas Aviation Colt. It’s a high wing, 2-seat plane classified as a light-sport aircraft, making it an ideal choice for sport pilots. It was introduced in 2019, making it the most modern option on this list. 

Last but not least is the Beechcraft Skipper, a low-wing 2-seat aircraft intended to bring Beechcraft into the training aircraft market. It was designed with new pilots in mind and was a competitor to the Cessna 150. What makes this plane unique is the T-Tail design, improving glide ratio but posing a higher stall risk.

Remember that these aircraft, while reliable, are far less common than other models, possibly making the search for training resources more difficult.

The L2F Newsletter is crafted by seasoned pilots and experienced instructors, all with one common goal: to empower your dream of soaring high.

We're not just sharing information; we're sharing wisdom, insights, and the kind of guidance you can only get from those who are already living the dream you aspire to.

Buckle up, because with L2F, you're never alone on your flight training adventure!