There isn't any such a thing as a pilot's license. We all use the term "license" loosely. What we really have are certificates of competency in varying degrees. These certificates are import to you. for you should know how competent is the pilot with whom you ride ALWAYS.

Issuing agency is the Civil Aeronautics Administration, alphabetically known as the CAA. It is part of the department of commerce. In the territory we live in, the inspector in charge, has an office in South Bend. He holds absolute life or death over a pilot's certificate.

When you begin to fly, you receive a "Student's Certificate". This permits only you to fly. A student pilot is not considered competent to carry passengers nor fly from fields of his own choosing. Even after solo, his flying must be under the direction of an instructor. Nearly all students, at a certain stage in their solo experience get the itch to haul somebody.

DO NOT RIDE WITH A STUDENT PILOT. The CAA says it isn't safe, and it isn't. More than that it's illegal. After a student has flown and practiced for 35 to 40 hours, made several cross-country flights, he takes an actual flight examination from an experienced examiner. This examiner knows what flaws to look for in a pilot. If he can do all the basic maneuvers, shows good judgment, can correct tail-spins, make spot landings and many other things he is awarded a certificate of competency which reads:

PRIVATE PILOT, land airplane, single engine. This means that he is deemed competent to haul passengers, but not for hire. He may fly any land airplane with only one engine, anywhere he chooses. The late Wiley Post never had more than a private certificate.

To this private ticket, the pilot may add various ratings: seaplane, multi-engine, instructor, (but not for hire) instruments, etc.

If he wishes to acquire a job in the industry, the pilot after 200 hours is eligible for commercial certificate. The examination for Commercial is even more strict than for a private certificate and requires better physical health. For example, I hold a private certificate, cannot get a commercial because of poor eye-sight. My private certificate reads, "Must wear correcting lenses when operating aircraft." Most pilots hold a private license.

On a commercial license, the various ratings mentioned above may be added. All these things, the commercial pilot may do for hire, carry passengers, instruct, etc.

Super-dooper of them all in which you must be absolutely top-notch, both physically and in flying ability is the TRANSPORT CERTIFICATE. Of course, all the ratings, multi-engine, instrument, instructor, etc. are added to this ticket.

A little-understood feature of the transport pilot's strike for higher pay last year, came about because of the rigid physical exams these men are subjected to. They spend years and thousands of dollars to get a transport certificate. They fly only through their peak years of physical condition. Any day they may walk in a doctor's door, a high-pay pilot, and walk out grounded, with no means of livelihood, because of insignificant changes in physical condition.

So you see, pilots are not "licensed". They are certified either safe or unsafe to take your life into their hands by the federal government. It is only smart to ask the pilot before you ride, "What kind of certificate do you hold?" If he has a private or better, it's safe to ride. If he says, "I have a student's permit, but I'm about ready for my private," tell him you'll wait. It's safer.

You need not ask the airline pilot. He has the certificate or they wouldn't even let him touch the airplane, let along fly it.

Warsaw Daily Times Wed. Sept. 3, 1947