As a Professional Pilot

If you aspire to be an airline pilot, you are going to need a First Class Medical. If you just only want to fly for fun, you can start with a Third class Medical.

I recommend you start with your medical first, because if you can’t pass the medical, you won’t be able to become an airline pilot…so investing in flight training would be a waste of money. 

Of course, if your goals are something other than airline pilot, there are other options for your medical. 

The FAA does not required classroom instruction but they do require passing the Knowledge Test. Online classroom instruction from a vendor is the fastest way to learn all the material needed to pass the Knowledge Test.

The FAA requires you to pass a knowledge test for many of your pilot certificates prior to taking your checkride. Do yourself a favor and complete the Ground School and Knowledge Test before flight training so that you can maximize your flight time learning maneuvers as quickly as posible.

Now that you have your Knowledge Test (KT) completed, it is time to begin your flight training for the specific certification you want to earn.

The final step to achieve your certificate is to schedule and take a practical test (checkride) with a FAA Designated Principal Examiner (DPE). Once you have passed your checkride, you will be immediately provided a temporary certificate until the FAA mails you the final certificate.