Introduction To Flying

This section offers a brief history of flight and introduces the history and role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in civil aviation. It also provides an overview of FAA regulations and standards, government references and publications, and the requirements and pathways involved in becoming a pilot.

The section also explains the eligibility requirements for pilot certificates, available routes to flight instruction, and the roles of the Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) and Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) in flight training. Understanding these fundamentals gives student pilots a clear foundation for beginning their aviation training.

In addition, this section introduces the Practical Test Standards (PTS) and the newer, industry-developed Airman Certification Standards (ACS) framework that will eventually replace the PTS. These standards establish important knowledge, skill, and risk management expectations for pilot certification.

The following sections provide an introduction to flying, beginning with the history and regulatory framework of aviation and continuing through aircraft classifications, pilot certification, flight school selection, student pilot requirements, and the knowledge and skill tests required for pilot certification.