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So why do I fly? My reasons are simple. Everyday I thank God for the best job I could ever have in my life. You see, my work takes place in an office that travels with a view that changes by the second. I get to face different challenges, including casually flying a million dollar machine off the ground and returning it home safely.
And unlike a car, piloting an airplane is truly a three dimensional experience. There are no roads or highways to follow, only airspace. Such freedom cannot be bought or explained, it can only be felt. Flying is therefore a chance for me to get away from the daily routine of life, and to be alone in the sky with just the wind and the humming of the engine accompanying me. Each time I look down, I see God’s creation from another perspective, and I am reminded of how insignificant our problems can be sometimes.
Perhaps the greatest joy of flying is the sense of achieving the impossible. People tend to think that pilots are perfectly fit, did time in the military, and have perfect vision. Nothing could be further from the truth. While it is true that getting a pilot’s certificate requires time and monetary commitments, it is actually easier than it sounds. Yet people hardly think of getting one, which probably explains why flying is always considered a prestigious hobby for the rich or adventurous.
I believe the Wright brothers invented the airplane in their quest to achieve man’s greatest dream – to fly. It is the mastery over machinery that gives me the greatest satisfaction whenever I pilot an airplane. By maneuvering the flight stick and pedals, I am able to do just that – fly.
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How to Get a Pilot’s Certificate
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So you want to fly? Contrary to popular belief, getting a pilot’s certificate is not as difficult as it seems. As long as you have access to an airport or a local flight school, you can enroll for lessons.
To begin with, there are many different kinds of pilots. Some fly for recreation while others do it professionally for a living. To determine what type of certificate you are going for, you need to assess your own needs. The basic types of pilot in successive order of qualifications include student, sport, recreational, private, instrument rated, commercial, certified flight instructor, airline transport pilot, and designated pilot examiner.
The requirements for getting your certificate are generally the same, with just a few variations from country to country. All require you to undergo medical tests, ground school and flight time. Certificates are also transferable between countries, but you will need to undergo an air law exam which usually differs from country to country.
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Student Pilot
Everyone starts off as a student pilot. It is the gateway to earning the sport, whether your eventual aim is recreational or private pilot certificate. You have to be an English-speaker, be at least 17 years old and pass a Class III medical test to obtain a student pilot certification or license. You start by learning the basics, which include standard airport-to-airport cross-country flying skills, and interaction with air traffic control. complete all flights with a certified flight instructor on board before you are allowed to fly solo. You will also learn basic instrument flying skills which enable you to fly by reading the instruments in the cockpit.
Recreational Pilot
As the name implies, this certificate is for those who wish to fly for fun. To apply for the recreational pilot license or certification, one must hold a valid student pilot license, have clocked a minimum of 30 hours of flight time, including a minimum of 15 hours of flight instruction. Upon attainment of the license, recreational pilots must revalidate their pilot certificates every 24 months by undertaking a flight review with a certified flight instructor.
Some people opt for this recreational license because it's easier to obtain. However, there are a host of restrictions on the holder of a recreational license such as restrictions on the type of aircraft they are allowed to pilot. Although technological developments in aviation are fast blurring the differences between
aircraft classes, the true flight enthusiasts would definitely want to move up to a private pilot certificate.
Private Pilot
To obtain a private pilot certificate, one must clock a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours of solo, and of course, pass all the requisite oral, written and practical exams. This certificate offers more benefits; for instance, a private pilot may carry more than one passenger in any craft, at any time of the day regardless of the weather conditions. However, you do need to be certified in instrument rating first. Private pilots need a valid Class III medical and are required to renew their certificates every 24 months.
Where do I go from here?
If you’re thinking of flying as a hobby, you should consider getting a recreational or private pilot certificate. They are fairly easy to obtain and are not astronomically expensive either. However if you want to fly for a living, a commercial pilot certificate is something you should aim for. But bear in mind certificates beyond the private pilot qualification are harder to obtain. A commercial pilot, for instance, has to clock a minimum of 250 hours of flight time and be subject to a more stringent Class II medical.
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Being a pilot - at least recreationally - isn’t as elusive as it sounds now, does it? Just remember that as long as you have access to a flight school, and are willing to spend some time learning to fly, you too can be a certified pilot. 
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Text RICK MIZIA With assistance from IRVING OOI
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