Drones You don't need to pass a test to fly a drone for fun, but to use it for business you'll need to earn a remote pilot certificate. The process to earn one is simpler for those who already have a pilot certificate. WHERE TO FLY * Attend a pancake breakfast near your home airport. * Fly a Cessna 172, a widely available trainer. Private pilot This is the most popular initial certificate, allowing pilots to fly most common small airplanes for their personal enjoyment and forming a building block for future professional flying. Additional training is required for certain airplanes and in poor visibility. Minimum flight hours: 40 You can... * Take your family camping. * Showcase your skills in a short-takeoff-and-landing demonstration. * Fly into backcountry strips or along the Chicago skyline. ADVANCED CERTIFICATES Commercial pilot You'll need a commercial pilot certificate to get paid to fly. It's also a prerequisite for becoming a flight instructor or airline pilot. FIRST FLIGHT Touch down where it all began. First Flight Airport on North Carolina's Outer Banks is home to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Minimum flight hours: 250 You can... * Ferry aircraft to buyers across the country. * Drop skydivers. * Tow banners. Certificated flight instructor This certificate allows you to teach others to fly. 36 FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2024 CHRIS ROSE, MIKE FIZER