Pilot Certificate Courses in NJ: Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, & Flight Instructor (CFI) & ATP

Century Air offers FAA Part 141 Approved pilot certificate courses at Essex County Airport (KCDW) in Fairfield, New Jersey, approximately 30 minutes from New York City. Whether you are pursuing your Private Pilot Certificate just for fun or working toward an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for an airline career, the sections below outline the FAA requirements, minimum flight hours, and exams for each certificate level.

Private Pilot

A Private Pilot Certificate gives you the privilege of flying virtually wherever and whenever you like (in nice weather) and is also the first step toward a career as a professional pilot. As a Private Pilot, you may fly for pleasure by yourself, or you may carry passengers. FAA regulations do not allow you to be compensated for your services as a Private Pilot, however; you may share flight expenses with your passengers. When flying as a Private Pilot, you will be operating under visual flight rules (VFR) where special weather requirements pertaining to clouds and visibility must be met.

To obtain a Private Pilot Certificate, you must be at least 17 years old and have a minimum of 35 flight hours in an FAA part 141 approved school (non-approved schools require 40 hours). However, a realistic average is approximately 65 or more hours of flight training. You must also pass the FAA private pilot written examination (a 60-question multiple choice test) and a flight test with an FAA Designated Examiner. You must pass a Class III medical exam with an FAA-approved doctor every five years if you are under 40 years old; otherwise, every two years. At Century Air, most students complete their Private Pilot Certificate in 4 to 9 months, training in our fleet of Cessna, Cirrus and Piper aircraft at Essex County Airport.

Commercial Pilot

A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows you to be compensated as a pilot, however; many pilots achieve this certificate just to continue training and improve their skills and knowledge. Pilots who are interested in pursuing a career in aviation must obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate.

To exercise the full rights of a Commercial Pilot, you must have an Instrument Rating (see ratings), be at least 18 years of age, hold a Class II Medical Certificate (somewhat more stringent than a Class III), and have a minimum of 190 hours of flying in an FAA Part 141 Approved flight school (non-approved schools require 250 hours). You must also pass an FAA written examination and a flight test with an FAA Designated Examiner. Century Air’s Commercial Pilot training is an integral part of Century Air’s Professional Pilot Program, designed for students pursuing a career as a professional airline pilot. The program focuses on developing advanced flying skills, aeronautical knowledge, sound judgment, and professional standards while preparing qualifying graduates for the opportunity to interview with Republic Airways or other regional airlines in their future.

Airline Transport Pilot

To obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, you must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate and have at least 1500 hours of flight time. The ATP Certificate represents the highest level of pilot certification issued by the FAA and is required to serve as pilot in command for most U.S. airline operations. Before taking the ATP knowledge test, applicants must successfully complete an FAA-approved Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP). After completing the ATP CTP, eligible applicants may complete the applicable multi-engine flight training at Century Air in preparation for the ATP practical test.

Flight Instructor

To become a Flight Instructor, you must be at least 18 years old and hold at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate, as well as an Instrument Rating. You must also pass two FAA written examinations, and an FAA flight test for each instructor certificate/rating sought.

For many aspiring professional pilots, becoming a flight instructor is an important step toward an airline career. Instructing provides an opportunity to build valuable flight experience while strengthening aeronautical knowledge, decision-making, and professional pilot skills.

Century Air has a long history of preparing flight instructors for successful aviation careers. Our CFI graduates have gone on to fly for regional and major airlines, including Republic Airways, JetBlue, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.

What makes Century Air different from other flight schools? Century Air is the only FAA Part 141 professional pilot training center in the Northeast owned and operated by a retired Airline Captain and Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) with over 50 years of experience. Our students benefit from a professional atmosphere, experienced instruction, and a structured approach to flight training designed to develop safe, knowledgeable, and confident pilots. Whether your goal is to earn a Private Pilot Certificate or pursue a professional airline career, Century Air provides the experience and quality you are looking for in your aviation education.