How old do you have to be to fly a airplane?

Question

By that I mean flying in the cockpit

Answer 1

The following applies to Certificated Pilots. With a "licensed" pilot on board, acting as Pilot in Command, you can "fly" the plane at any age the pilot feels comfortable with. I have flown with my 6 year old nephew and let him "fly" the plane on a few occasions.
Also I have flown many "young eagles" in the traffic pattern and let many kids have the controls for a bit.

As far as the regs are concerned, to be a pilot......
14 CFR 61.83

§ 61.83 Eligibility requirements for student pilots.
top

To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, an applicant must:

(a) Be at least 16 years of age for other than the operation of a glider or balloon.

(b) Be at least 14 years of age for the operation of a glider or balloon.






§ 61.96 Applicability and eligibility requirements: General.

Subpart D—Recreational Pilots

(a) This subpart prescribes the requirement for the issuance of recreational pilot certificates and ratings, the conditions under which those certificates and ratings are necessary, and the general operating rules for persons who hold those certificates and ratings.

(b) To be eligible for a recreational pilot certificate, a person who applies for that certificate must:

(1) Be at least 17 years of age;


Subpart E—Private Pilots
§ 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:

(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.

(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.




Subpart F—Commercial Pilots

§ 61.123 Eligibility requirements: General.

To be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate, a person must:

(a) Be at least 18 years of age;


Subpart G—Airline Transport Pilots
§ 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General.

To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:

(a) Be at least 23 years of age;

Answer 2

There is no age restriction on taking dual instruction. I took my first airplane ride when I was 4 or 5 years old in my Dad's airplane. I grew fast, and was able to reach the rudder pedals and see over the panel in his Beech Bonanza by the time I was 7, and he used to put me in the right seat, take off and do the initial climb, then throw the yoke over to the right side and let me fly it all over. I took my first "official" dual instruction flight with a flight instructor on my 12th birthday. Legally, in the U.S., a person can solo at age 16 (assuming you have a student pilot certificate/ medical, adequate previous instruction, and a sign-off in you log by an instructor) and the minimum age for a Private Pilot certificate is 17. The minimum age for a Commercial certificate is 18, and 21 for an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) rating.

I strongly encourage you to take instruction, as you obviously have an interest in flying. I've been flying nearly all my life, and have held pilot certificates and various advanced ratings for almost 40 years (wow, I can hardly believe it). Flying will bring a great deal of challenge, excitement and fulfillment to your life.

Answer 3

You need to be 16 to solo, and 17 to get your Private Pilot Certificate. You can begin flying at any age with an instructor.

Answer 4

Any person, any age, as long as they can reach the controls can fly an airplane. They cannot act as pilot in command, so in order to be legal a licensed pilot has to be in the other seat.

Answer 5

No I just started flying lessons 16 for solo and 17 for your private pilots license

Hope that helps

Cheers

Answer 6

You can fly at any age really with someone else with you. but to get a private pilot's lisance you have to be 17 to apply. If you do any lessons when you are 16 it could help you get your private pilot

Answer 7

You can fly a plane at any age. You see baby on planes all the time. If you mean to be to fly an airplane without a parent then that would be any age too. They just get you a person that watches you while your on the plane and makes sure you get off and on the plane correctly.

Answer 8

Any age... And by the way, folks, a person holds a 'Certificate' and not a 'License'. The only time the word 'license' should come in, is when you say 'A Certificate is a License to Learn'.....

Answer 9

i was 14

Answer 10

solo 12