Pilot certification

Students in the aviation program at Kansas State University at Salina must meet the following requirements to receive the certificates indicated. Aviation training curriculums are approved under the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations Parts 61 and 141.

Private pilot certificate -- Students complete a minimum of 35 hours of flight time during 30 lessons. With a private pilot certificate, pilots can fly with passengers in good weather both day and night.

Instrument pilot rating -- Students complete an additional 35 hours of flight instruction above the private pilot certificate and complete 30 additional lessons. With the instrument pilot rating, a pilot can fly in inclement weather with passengers both day and night.

Commercial pilot certificate -- Students complete a minimum of 40 hours of cross-country flight training and 15 hours in a complex, high performance airplane. Pilots with a commercial pilot certificate will have completed a minimum total of 190 hours of flight training since their first flight.

Multi-engine airplane rating -- The pilot is licensed to fly an airplane with two or more engines. Students complete an additional 15 hours of flight instruction in a twin-engine airplane to earn the multi-engine airplane rating.

Certified flight instructor rating -- 20 additional hours of flight training are necessary above the commercial pilot certificate. As a certified flight instructor, pilots can train others in becoming pilots in a single-engine airplane.

Certified instrument flight instructor rating -- 20 additional hours of flight training are necessary after completion of the certified flight instructor rating. As a certified instrument flight instructor, pilots can train others in becoming an instrument pilot in a single-engine airplane.

Multi-engine flight instructor rating -- 15 additional hours of flight training are necessary. As a multi-engine instructor, pilots can train others in becoming a multi-engine pilot.

Winter 2002

Updated: 3/20/25