The Private Pilot Certificate, commonly referred to as the Private Pilot License (PPL), allows students to obtain the foundational knowledge and skills for all future aircraft pilot training. As a Private Pilot, you can fly an airplane day and night in visual flight conditions and carry passengers (friends, family, co-workers, etc.). You cannot fly for paid compensation or hire. However, you can share the operating expenses with your passengers. 

 Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments.   The student in this photo is wearing a "hood" to simulate the absence of visual references.

 Many people are misinformed about what a commercial pilot is. They assume that if someone is a commercial pilot, they are an airline pilot. While it's true that an airline pilot is, indeed, a type of commercial pilot, the opposite is not always true - a commercial pilot is not necessarily an airline pilot. 

Commercial pilots can be cargo pilots, tour pilots, crop dusting pilots or backcountry pilots. They can be flight instructors, ferry pilots or glider tow pilots. See a trend? A commercial pilot is simply one who is allowed by the FAA to charge money for services. 

 The Official FAA Publication that provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. This updated handbook introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training. This handbook is useful to beginning pilots, as well as those pursuing more advanced pilot certificates.  

  The official FAA reference for the aviator-in-training, many test questions for the FAA Knowledge Exams for pilots come directly from this guide. This handbook provides information and guidance in the performance of procedures and maneuvers required for pilot certification and is an excellent resource for flight instructors teaching both student and licensed pilots.  

What aircraft will I use?  Students either provide their own aircraft or rent through Plane Simple Flight School LLC (See Plane Simple Aircraft link at top of Home Page).   

Where do I get a FAA Medical Exam? Dr. Dan Butler, 250 Beglis Parkway, Ste 3, Sulphur, LA 337-310-7233

This FAA publication introduces advanced information for IFR operations. Instrument flight instructors, instrument pilots, and instrument students will also find this handbook a valuable resource. 

This Advisory Circular is intended to provide basic weather information that all airmen must know. This document is intended to be used as a resource for pilot and dispatcher training programs. 

 This manual contains the fundamentals required in order to fly in the United States NAS. It also contains items of interest to pilots concerning health and medical facts, factors affecting flight safety, a pilot/controller glossary of terms used in the ATC System, and information on safety, accident, and hazard reporting.

 This FAA publication brings the pilot and operator up to date on new and evolving weather information and capabilities to help plan a safe and efficient flight, while also describing the traditional weather products that remain. 

The Advanced Avionics Handbook is a new publication designed to provide general aviation users with comprehensive information on advanced avionics equipment available in technically advanced aircraft. This handbook introduces the pilot to flight operations in aircraft with the latest integrated “glass cockpit” advanced avionics systems. 

 This handbook can be a valuable reference tool for anyone who would like to review the “nuts and bolts” of aircraft ownership. Aircraft owners and operators, or anyone considering aircraft ownership, should be familiar with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), which details regulations for aircraft owners, operators, pilots, aircraft mechanics, and maintenance providers.