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How to become an airline pilot?
Share your journey & guide aspiring airline pilots on their path!
Note: We've seen a lot of interest in this career, so we're looking for guidance from our community of professionals.
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4 answers
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
40
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
As Wayne mentioned, getting trained from the military is a great option. When you're old enough, I would highly recommend considering the Air Force (or Navy) as your stepping stone. Here, you'll receive almost all the airline training you need, and the best part is, it's completely free! Outside of this, airline training can be quite a hefty investment. After fulfilling your service commitment in the Air Force, you're all set to apply to a commercial airline. You'll be joining the ranks of many commercial airline pilots who started their careers in the Air Force or even the Navy.
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
369
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
Becoming an airline pilot is an exciting journey! Start by getting your private pilot license (PPL), then work toward your commercial pilot license (CPL) and instrument rating. Flight school will give you hands-on experience. Log those flying hours—most airlines require around 1,500 hours! Consider earning a degree in aviation or a related field for an edge. Networking with current pilots and joining aviation groups can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Stay dedicated and enjoy the adventure!
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
HOW TO BECOME AN AIRLINE PILOT
• STEP 1: Earn an FAA-approved bachelor's degree. Most major airline companies require a bachelor’s degree in aviation or a related field when applying for jobs as an airline pilot. If you plan to follow an airline pilot career path, the most common step for you to take is to go to an FAA-authorized institution where you will take aviation-related coursework to earn a degree and receive pilot training at the same time.
• STEP 2: Obtain a private pilot license..To earn a private pilot certificate or pilot's license, you'll need to learn basic flight methods, aircraft maneuvers, navigation, flight planning and emergency training. Once you have this certification, you are legally allowed to fly a plane. Pilots earning this certificate learn to fly small aircraft on their own.
• STEP 3: Acquire an instrument rating. Flying for an airline requires reading and using instruments. Once you earn a basic pilot certificate, you'll need to train to use sophisticated instruments that guide a plane through different weather conditions and altitudes. This certification also teaches pilots to interact with air traffic control.
• STEP 4: Obtain a commercial pilot license.
A commercial pilot license allows pilots to fly goods or people to earn money. Once a pilot has this designation, they can take jobs in search and rescue, passenger flights (such as tourism or corporate) and cargo deliveries. Under this category, a pilot takes additional training to obtain ratings for each class of airplane they want to fly. For example, they can add a multi-engine rating to their single-engine commercial pilot certificate.
• STEP 5: Get a flight instructor certificate
In order to gain experience and flight hours, many pilots choose to become flight instructors. Pilots can earn a wage and log hours at the same time. Most airlines require a minimum of flight hours before you can even apply to be a first officer. Working as a flight instructor is a recommended way of quickly accumulating the flight hours and experience you need to work as an airline pilot.
• STEP 6: Add a multi-engine rating. In order to fly the planes used by passenger airlines, pilots are required to earn an additional rating to their commercial license. Pilots must prove that they are able to fly large planes with multiple engines. Training for this certification involves learning what to do in the case of a single-engine failure and handling these large planes in all areas of flight.
• STEP 7: Gain experience and flight hours
To become an airline pilot, you have to log a lot of hours in the air. The minimum number of total flight hours required by the FAA is 1,500. You can do this through training classes, flight instruction and working as a commercial pilot.
• STEP 8. Earn an airline transport pilot certification. An airline transport pilot (ATP) certification is the highest licensing the FAA issues. To earn this certification, pilots need more than the minimum requirement of 1,500 hours of flight experience. Pilots must also have specific flight hours logged, including pilot in command (PIC), nighttime flying and cross country PIC. To earn an ATP certification, prospective airline pilots must also pass medical examinations. Pilots must have a first-class medical exam to act as a pilot in command and a second-class medical exam to be second in command.
• STEP 9: Interview for a position as an airline pilot. Once you meet all the FAA requirements, you can seek employment with a major airline. Since airlines are based on seniority, you'll start work as a first officer and move to captain after at least two years of work with the airline.
THE AVERAGE COST TO BECOME
A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT
The average cost to become a commercial airline pilot varies depending on your prior experience, flight school, and the license type you are seeking. In the United States it generally costs over a $100,000
THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TIME TO
BECOME A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT
It takes an average of 2.5 years to become a commercial airline pilot in the United States, including training and flight time.
To obtain a private pilot license, there are some requirements that you should be aware of. Besides the required flight time, training, and education, you’ll also be required to be at least 18 years of age and be fluent in English as well as pass required wellness checkups to ensure that you are fit to fly.
• STEP 1: Earn an FAA-approved bachelor's degree. Most major airline companies require a bachelor’s degree in aviation or a related field when applying for jobs as an airline pilot. If you plan to follow an airline pilot career path, the most common step for you to take is to go to an FAA-authorized institution where you will take aviation-related coursework to earn a degree and receive pilot training at the same time.
• STEP 2: Obtain a private pilot license..To earn a private pilot certificate or pilot's license, you'll need to learn basic flight methods, aircraft maneuvers, navigation, flight planning and emergency training. Once you have this certification, you are legally allowed to fly a plane. Pilots earning this certificate learn to fly small aircraft on their own.
• STEP 3: Acquire an instrument rating. Flying for an airline requires reading and using instruments. Once you earn a basic pilot certificate, you'll need to train to use sophisticated instruments that guide a plane through different weather conditions and altitudes. This certification also teaches pilots to interact with air traffic control.
• STEP 4: Obtain a commercial pilot license.
A commercial pilot license allows pilots to fly goods or people to earn money. Once a pilot has this designation, they can take jobs in search and rescue, passenger flights (such as tourism or corporate) and cargo deliveries. Under this category, a pilot takes additional training to obtain ratings for each class of airplane they want to fly. For example, they can add a multi-engine rating to their single-engine commercial pilot certificate.
• STEP 5: Get a flight instructor certificate
In order to gain experience and flight hours, many pilots choose to become flight instructors. Pilots can earn a wage and log hours at the same time. Most airlines require a minimum of flight hours before you can even apply to be a first officer. Working as a flight instructor is a recommended way of quickly accumulating the flight hours and experience you need to work as an airline pilot.
• STEP 6: Add a multi-engine rating. In order to fly the planes used by passenger airlines, pilots are required to earn an additional rating to their commercial license. Pilots must prove that they are able to fly large planes with multiple engines. Training for this certification involves learning what to do in the case of a single-engine failure and handling these large planes in all areas of flight.
• STEP 7: Gain experience and flight hours
To become an airline pilot, you have to log a lot of hours in the air. The minimum number of total flight hours required by the FAA is 1,500. You can do this through training classes, flight instruction and working as a commercial pilot.
• STEP 8. Earn an airline transport pilot certification. An airline transport pilot (ATP) certification is the highest licensing the FAA issues. To earn this certification, pilots need more than the minimum requirement of 1,500 hours of flight experience. Pilots must also have specific flight hours logged, including pilot in command (PIC), nighttime flying and cross country PIC. To earn an ATP certification, prospective airline pilots must also pass medical examinations. Pilots must have a first-class medical exam to act as a pilot in command and a second-class medical exam to be second in command.
• STEP 9: Interview for a position as an airline pilot. Once you meet all the FAA requirements, you can seek employment with a major airline. Since airlines are based on seniority, you'll start work as a first officer and move to captain after at least two years of work with the airline.
THE AVERAGE COST TO BECOME
A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT
The average cost to become a commercial airline pilot varies depending on your prior experience, flight school, and the license type you are seeking. In the United States it generally costs over a $100,000
THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TIME TO
BECOME A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT
It takes an average of 2.5 years to become a commercial airline pilot in the United States, including training and flight time.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
81
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Doc covered the general information to acquire your pilots license and the requirements to acquire you ATP (Airline Transport Pilots License) which is required to fly for the airlines.
If you decide to do this the first thing you should do is see if you qualify for a FAA First Class Medical Certificate. If you CANNOT acquire a 1st Class Medical, you cannot use your ATP License. This Medical is required every 6 months.
Here is a link to the FAA Aviation Medical Examiners: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator.
The other choice you can make is to join the Military once you get your 4 year degree, then you can apply to be an "Officer," which is required to be a pilot. You can talk to a Military Recruiter for the Military Branch you think you might like to join. If you have a choice, I would suggest you show a preference for the Militaries larger aircraft (not the single seat fighters). The larger aircraft will give you the experience of working as a team with the other members of you flight crew: ie. copilot, navigator, load master, etc.
Currently the FAA regulations require a 2 person flight crew (Pilot and Co-pilot) for anything with 10 or more passenger seats.
Best of luck on your journey
Wayne
If you decide to do this the first thing you should do is see if you qualify for a FAA First Class Medical Certificate. If you CANNOT acquire a 1st Class Medical, you cannot use your ATP License. This Medical is required every 6 months.
Here is a link to the FAA Aviation Medical Examiners: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator.
The other choice you can make is to join the Military once you get your 4 year degree, then you can apply to be an "Officer," which is required to be a pilot. You can talk to a Military Recruiter for the Military Branch you think you might like to join. If you have a choice, I would suggest you show a preference for the Militaries larger aircraft (not the single seat fighters). The larger aircraft will give you the experience of working as a team with the other members of you flight crew: ie. copilot, navigator, load master, etc.
Currently the FAA regulations require a 2 person flight crew (Pilot and Co-pilot) for anything with 10 or more passenger seats.
Best of luck on your journey
Wayne