Sunday, 8 January 2012

Definition of a Private Pilot

By Miguel R. Gardner


If you want to become a pilot, you have a choice. You can either become a private pilot, a commercial aviator or a military junkie. Out of the three, the private pilot is preferred by most people because it gives them a sort of freedom not enjoyed by the other two types of pilots. Commercial pilots are strictly ruled by schedule, while military pilots are under more stringent rules than any civilian pilot. Private pilots are basically one that could fly any time he wishes.

While there are probably a lot more private pilots in the world than the other two types, it is considered a hobby and not a career. Most of the people that study and sign up to become private pilots are in it for the passion and the enjoyment of flying. Of course, they can use being a private pilot as a testbed or a preparatory course before they decide to becoming a commercial pilot. They could build up experience and hours without the pressure by being a private pilot.

However, even though a private pilot does not have the same amount of responsibilities as expected with commercial and military pilots, he still has to abide by a few things. We can summarize them into two things: safety and adherence to the established rules enforced by the aviation agency at his jurisdiction. These are very important, and should not be taken for granted because one can risk getting his license revoked if he doesn't put serious consideration into these two things.

A Good Pilot is a Safe Pilot

Every private pilot -- and perhaps all pilots in general -- is expected to act safe when up in the air. No one wants to have anyone's injury or even death on their own conscience after all. Worse, if you're unsafe in the air, the life you lose could as well be yours. Safety, for example, should be your first concern when you have to make command decisions as a pilot-in-command. If you're prescribed an approach or procedure, it is your responsibility to ascertain if the approach or procedure is feasible and that it would be safe for you. A land-and-hold-short operation, for example, is entirely up to the pilot. If you're a safe pilot, you wouldn't agree right away without checking the length of runway available.

A Good Pilot Plays By The Rules

Like a good citizen, every private pilot is expected to stick to the existing rules that govern aviation. It is your responsibility to research and familiarize yourself with each and every regulation there is in aviation. You can't say, "I didn't know about that" when you're in trouble in law because the agencies will certainly not buy that.




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