If you have been developing an interest in becoming a pilot then you will be interested in knowing that you have quite a selection of pilot categories to choose from. You will be best able to determine the most feasible for you by learning the basics about each of them and seeing which one best suit's the goals you have set for yourself.

You must understand two major categories. First of all licensing for flying are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. They are the governing body and have set the syllabus for the flight courses. All of their rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to. The first requirement is obtaining a certificate and the second part is the training. The type of certificate you require will depend on what type of Pilot you are going to become. It is the certificate that dictates your restrictions. When you hear reference to a rating this is applicable to the various types and classes of aircraft you will be able to pilot.

-Flight Instructor, Airline transport pilot or Commercial pilot will afford you the possibility of making a career out of your Pilot training.

Private pilot, recreational pilot, sport pilot, and student pilot licenses all have their own restrictions attached to these certificates and for the most part, you will not be able to earn a living as a Pilot in these categories.

When it comes to ratings these are applicable to the three categories that you can use for a career as well as the Private Pilots. The ratings refer to the aircraft such as airplanes that are single engine land, single engine sea, and multi engine land. There are ratings for instrument, glider and rotorcraft or helicopter.

Many individuals first entering into the world of flying opt for their Sports Pilot license. This license is for pleasure flying lightweight aircraft. Your training will entail 20 hours of flight time and a written exam as well. There are several restrictions to this type of license as it is designated for pleasure only. You will not be allowed to fly in air space that is controlled by air traffic control towers such as those situated at the airports. In addition, you will only be allowed to fly during daylight, and in perfect weather conditions. You are restricted to no higher that 10,000 feet.

If you decide that you would like something with a few less restrictions then you could consider a Recreational Pilot license. The requirements are very similar to a Private Pilot license but have more limitations. One interesting note is that Sports Pilots have more choices as to the types of aircraft they want to fly as opposed to the Recreational Pilot. This pilot is restricted to a single engine aircraft and helicopters with specific horsepower. The plane can be a maximum of four seats but the recreational pilot is only allowed one passenger at a time. It would be well worth contemplating between a Sports Pilot and Recreational Pilot, as there are still significant restrictions on both, but a fair amount more training and costs for the Recreational Pilot.