Bringing Youth into Aviation
Captain Jenny Beatty • February 18, 2023
Fun ideas and minimum ages for flying activities
Aviation activities:
- Watch airplanes coming and going at your local airport
- Visit an aviation museum
- Go to air shows
- Read books about history of aviation and pilots like Amelia Earhart
- Attend an Aviation Day sponsored by a local airport
- Enroll in a youth aviation program
- Earn the Aviation STEM Badge at a 99s Girl Scouts / Girl Guides aerospace education program
- Join Aviation Career Exploring
- Go to the OBAP Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy
- Attend Girls in Aviation Day
- Go to aviation summer camp
- Buy a computer flight simulator
- Hang around small local airport to meet pilots, potential mentors
- Sign up for pilot ground school course, in classroom or online
Flying activities:
- Take a Discovery Flight at your local airport
- Take an EAA Young Eagles flight
- Become a Civil Air Patrol cadet
- Take flying lessons
What is the minimum age to qualify for. . .
- No minimum age:
Ground school
Flying lessons
FAA medical exam (but not worthwhile until age 15) - Age 8: EAA Young Eagles
- Age 10: Aviation Career Exploring
- Age 12: Civil Air Patrol
- Age 13: Start FAA Student Pilot application
- Age 14 minus 90 days: Student Pilot Certificate
- Age 14:
First Solo - Glider or Lighter-Than-Air Balloon
FAA Knowledge Test for Private Pilot - Glider or Lighter-Than-Air Balloon - Age 15:
FAA Knowledge Test - Private Pilot Airplane
All other FAA Knowledge Tests except ATP-ME (valid for 24 months; check other age requirements) - Age 16:
Private Pilot certificate with Glider and Lighter-Than-Air Balloon rating
Remote Pilot certificate (to operate drones)
First Solo - Airplane or Helicopter - Age 17:
Private Pilot certificate with Airplane or Helicopter rating
Instrument rating - Age 18:
Commercial Pilot certificate
Flight Instructor certificate
FAA Knowledge Test for ATP-ME (valid for 60 months; check other age requirements) - Age 21: Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate
- Age 23: Airline Transport Pilot certificate
May your dreams take flight!
© 2023 Jenny Beatty. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit: Sergey Makashin
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