Space Pilots

Certification or Licensing

To become a professional pilot, you must earn FAA-issued certificates (this type of certificate is basically a license) and ratings in the following order: student pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multi-engine rating, and airline transport pilot certificate (if you choose to work in scheduled air transportation before becoming a space pilot). To earn certificates, applicants must meet minimum age, flight hours, and other requirements. Visit the FAA’s Web site, https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become, for information on eligibility and training requirements.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., or obtain the required authorizations to work as a space pilot from the U.S. Department of State. Pilots must have 20/20 vision with or without glasses, good hearing, normal heart rate and blood pressure, and no physical handicaps that could affect their performance. A medical certificate is required prior to one’s first solo flight.