Source: Starboard76
John Travolta flying his own Boeing 707
What is the largest plane you can fly with a private pilot license?
A private pilot license (PPL) is basically the most basic of the 3 flying licenses and it restricts a pilot from operating any plane over 12,500 lbs.
However, actor John Travolta was able to fly his own Boeing 707 weighing 247,000 lbs with an American private pilot licence. It appears different rules apply under different authorities for PPL holders.
In Malaysia, a PPL allows a holder to fly for leisure but he cannot carry fare-paying passengers. He must be at least 17 years old, able to communicate in English and meets at least a Class 2 medical requirements.
He must also pass the theoretical examinations and a skill test approved by the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM).
In addition, he must fly about 40 – 60 hours and all these will cost him between RM45,000 to RM65,000.
A PPL won’t certify him to fly any jets. As such, he would need further qualifications such as an instrument rating, a commercial pilot license (CPL), multi-engine rating and a type rating for the plane he will be flying.
The highest qualification is the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) which is a requirement for a pilot to be promoted as a captain to fly bigger planes.
Aayush Mahera from Quora wants to know the biggest plane a pilot can fly with a PPL.
Well, this depends on where the license holder comes from. With an American FAA PPL, there is no limit on the size or type of aircraft that a private pilot can fly. He can even fly a Boeing 747 if he has the appropriate aircraft type qualification.
John Travolta did not have a CPL or ATPL (known as ATP in the USA) but he was flying his own Boeing 707.
To fly bigger planes, a FAA PPL holder must get further training on the aircraft types and it is expensive to get such certificates. Realistically, only very few pilots will do this unless he is very rich and enjoys flying as a pass time.
The biggest problem for him will be to find an insurance company willing to insure him or the plane as they deem a PPL holder to be someone not experienced enough to fly big planes.
However, John Travolta was able to get his training with Qantas on the Boeing 707. He even flew it to New Orleans (probably with a more experienced co-pilot) after the 2005 hurricane disaster bringing food and medical supplies.
In 2010, he flew the Boeing 707 again to Haiti after the earthquake, carrying supplies, doctors and volunteers.
With a Malaysian PPL, CAAM (which closely follows the European aviation regulations) will only permit him to fly a plane weighing less than 12,500 lbs unless he holds a CPL or ATPL.
Under EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), a pilot would need an ATPL to command a plane such as a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350.
That is beyond the dream of a normal PPL holder even if he is a billionaire and can afford to buy an Airbus A380 in Malaysia!
Watch a video on ‘The Private Pilot’s License – What YOU NEED to know!!’ here