Becoming an airline pilot is a career path that comes with numerous unique advantages. The ability to travel the world (and get paid doing so!) is a rare, one-of-a-kind opportunity that not many other careers can say that they offer. Additionally, those looking for a more flexible work schedule that doesn’t adhere to the typical 9-5 will find becoming a pilot to be a rewarding experience.
If you’re worried about being away from your loved ones for too long, many airlines also offer discounted plane tickets and other chances to allow the family and friends of pilots to come along with them on their travels.
The average pilot salary will vary greatly depending on the airline, the type of aircraft being flown, and, most importantly, on a pilot’s experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2012 that the median annual salary for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was $114,200. Keep in mind that this figure is likely far higher nowadays, as the field has become more competitive and prestigious in recent years.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Airline Pilot?
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all airline pilots obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification. An ATP certificate requires all potential pilots to undertake a minimum of 1500 hours of flight experience, which can be completed in as little as two years. Most of the time however, an ATP certification takes three to five years to complete, according to the FAA. Other certifications and training required by the FAA usually bump up the total time to become an airline pilot to around five years.
Other countries have different requirements and timelines for airline pilots, with countries such as the United Kingdom and those in the European Union allowing for prospective pilots to be able to fly for a major airline in less than two years. Only 250 flight hours are required to become fully eligible to join an airline!
Education and Training
Along with your ATP certification, the FAA requires all potential airline pilots to also earn a private pilot’s certificate, commercial pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate, as well as a multi-engine rating and instrument rating. All of these requirements can be completed at a flight school of your choosing.
Flight schools can range from small, local schools largely supporting those who wish to fly for fun, to big universities who specialize in preparing students for careers in commercial aviation. If you are interested in becoming an airline pilot, you should receive training from an accredited flight school. Some schools offer accelerated programs that allow students to fast track their way to a career, but these programs still require a certain amount of flight time and training to adhere to FAA standards.
Are Airlines Competitive to Apply For?
The BLS estimated in 2021 that 18,100 openings for pilots would be created each year, far more than the usual for the industry. In 2022, airlines hired more pilots than they had since 1990, and are still not keeping up with demands. The hiring frenzy comes on the heels of a pilot shortage caused by an aging population of pilots retiring, the pandemic forcing many airlines to cut a large portion of their staff, and the high barriers to entry preventing many hopeful pilots from entering the profession.
Now is a better time than ever to become a pilot, with airlines looking to continue hiring at unprecedented rates in the upcoming years to compensate for the pilot shortage. Many major US airlines such as Delta are also opening their own flight schools, designed specifically to fast-track students into becoming professional airline pilots.
Who Cannot Become an Airline Pilot?
Unfortunately, not just anyone can become an airline pilot. Oftentimes, potential pilots are ruled out due to medical conditions such as epilepsy and bipolar disease, or past surgeries such as a heart replacement. Pilots must also not have any history of drug abuse or dependency. Be sure to refer to FAA guidelines to make sure you’re eligible to become a pilot.
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