How Old Do You Have to Be to Fly a Plane? Every FAA Age Limit Explained
- Lessons: no minimum age. You can start flying with an instructor and log the time at any age.
- Student pilot certificate / first solo: 16
- Private pilot certificate: 17
- Commercial pilot certificate: 18
- Airline transport pilot (ATP): 23 (21 for a restricted ATP)
A lot of people assume you have to be an adult to touch the controls of an airplane. You don't. The FAA sets minimum ages for certificates (the "licenses"), but anyone can take lessons with a flight instructor. That's how many teens start years before they can solo.
FAA minimum ages by certificate
| What you want to do | Airplane / helicopter | Glider or balloon |
|---|---|---|
| Take lessons and log dual time | No minimum | No minimum |
| Student pilot certificate (needed to solo) | 16 | 14 |
| Sport pilot certificate | 17 | 16 |
| Private pilot certificate | 17 | 16 |
| Commercial pilot certificate | 18 | 18 |
| Airline transport pilot | 23 (21 restricted ATP) | n/a |
These come from the FAA's pilot certification rules in 14 CFR Part 61 (sections 61.83, 61.103, 61.123 and 61.153 for student, private, commercial and ATP). Always check the current rule text at eCFR before making plans around a birthday.
What a realistic teen timeline looks like
Because you can train before 16, a common path for a motivated teen is:
- Any age: discovery flight, then occasional lessons to learn the basics.
- Before 16: study for the knowledge (written) test and keep building dual time.
- 16: get your student pilot certificate and medical, then solo once your instructor signs you off.
- 16–17: solo cross-countries, night training, checkride prep.
- 17: take the private pilot checkride.
Flying a little at a time costs more in the long run, because you spend lessons re-learning skills. If budget is tight, many students save up and then fly two to three times a week once they're close to solo age.
Do you need a medical certificate?
To fly solo in an airplane as a student working toward a private certificate, you need an FAA medical certificate (third class or higher) from an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner. Sport pilots can generally use a valid U.S. driver's license instead. A minor without a driver's license should check the current FAA rules with their instructor. Get the medical early, before you spend a lot on training, so any issues show up before you've invested heavily.
Is there a maximum age?
For private flying, no. Pilots fly into their 80s and beyond as long as they can meet the medical standards (or BasicMed requirements) and fly safely. Airline pilots do face a mandatory retirement age for flying airline operations, which is set by law and has been the subject of proposed changes, so check current rules if that affects you.
Next steps
- Estimate what training will cost with our flight training cost calculator.
- Learn how to get your student pilot certificate.
- Not sure what a first lesson is like? Read what to expect on your first flight lesson.