How to Become a Pilot

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

– Leonardo DaVinci

Whether you’ve had a lifelong fascination with aviation or recently developed an interest in a career in the skies, the journey of becoming a pilot is one that’s filled with great opportunity, excitement and lifelong learning.

Pilots are indispensable components of our global transportation ecosystem, and there are job opportunities that go beyond commercial and passenger aviation — including in law enforcement, military, tourism, business and entertainment.

If you have good communication and decision-making skills, the ability to think quickly under pressure and you’re interested in exploring the world through your career, becoming a pilot might just be the job for you.

7 Different Types of Pilots

When we talk about different types of pilots, we’re essentially discussing different Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licenses and certifications. The rules for obtaining
a pilot’s license will depend on the privileges you want to exercise. For example, if you want to become an airline pilot, you will need to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license.

Here are some of the most common types of pilots:

1. Airline pilots 
   Airline pilots transport passengers and cargo on a fixed schedule. As the name implies, they typically work for an airline and must hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification, which is the highest level of certification issued by the FAA.
2. Charter pilots 
   Charter pilots also fly passengers and cargo, but usually operate without a fixed schedule. In many cases, a commercial pilot license is sufficient for this role.
3. Private pilots
   Private pilots are licensed to carry passengers, but are not allowed to fly for compensation or hire.
4. Military pilots
   In the armed forces, military pilots fly a range of aircraft, including fighter jets, tankers and transport helicopters.
5. Flight instructors 
   Flight instructors train aspiring pilots in technical skills, safety procedures and regulations required to become certified.
6. Cargo pilots 
   Unlike airline pilots who primarily fly passengers, cargo pilots specialize in transporting freight.
7. Bush pilots
   Bush pilots typically operate small-to-medium-sized aircraft in remote areas, flying to and from rugged terrain or unpaved airstrips where commercial flights don’t operate.

This is not an exhaustive list. Other types of pilots include test pilots, agricultural pilots, fire-fighting pilots, helicopter pilots, medical transport pilots and law enforcement pilots.

An FAA commercial pilot license can be confusing for students. While it does allow you to get paid for flying, the types of jobs available under its limitations can make finding employment more challenging. This license is most commonly used by flight instructors and small operators. If you’re planning to fly professionally — especially for an airline — you’ll most likely need an ATP certificate.

How to Become a Pilot in 9 Steps

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what it takes to become a pilot.

1. Consider earning a relevant bachelor’s degree
An undergraduate degree in aviation is not required to become a pilot, but it’s highly recommended if you are interested in moving up the ranks. If you elect to obtain a degree, make sure it comes from a university with FAA-approved flight programs.

2. Determine the type of pilot certificate or license you need
The certification will depend on the privileges you’d like to exercise. There are also different requirements for student pilots, recreational pilots and private pilots. Pilots often receive FAA-issued certificates and ratings in the following order:

• Student pilot certificate: This is the first step, allowing you to fly solo under the supervision of a certified instructor while training toward your private pilot license.
• Private pilot certificate: This grants you the ability to fly solo or carry passengers, but not for compensation or hire.
• Instrument rating: This enables you to fly in a wider range of weather conditions using only instruments. It’s not technically required to fly, but it is required for most professional pilot roles.
• Commercial pilot certificate: This certificate is required if you would like to be compensated for flying; it also includes more advanced training and stricter requirements.
• Multi-engine rating: This allows you to operate aircraft with more than one engine.
• Certified instructor rating: This allows you to teach others how to fly.
• Airline transport pilot certificate: This is the highest level of pilot certification and is required for an airline as a captain or first officer.

3. Meet the basic eligibility requirements

Pilot requirements will vary depending on the type of aircraft you’re looking to operate and what type of flying you’d like to do.

• Minimum age: You must be at least 18 years old to become a commercial pilot, and 23 years old to qualify as an airline transport pilot.
• Education: A college degree isn’t required to become a pilot. However, many airlines prefer or require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. All pilots must be able to read, speak, write and understand English proficiently.
• Medical exam: There are certain medical requirements, depending on whether you want to become a first-class airline transport pilot, second-class commercial pilot or third-class private pilot. To become an airline pilot, for example, you must be able to pass a Class 1 FAA medical exam, which evaluates your vision, hearing, overall physical health and mental well-being.
• Background check: Pilots must pass a thorough background check, which may include your criminal history, driving record and previous employment. A clean record is especially important for those seeking positions with commercial airlines.
• Additional experience and requirements: To become an airline pilot, you typically need prior experience as a commercial or military pilot. To become a commercial pilot, you must first hold a private pilot license and complete additional training and certifications.

4. Choose a flight training program
There are several options when it comes to aviation training opportunities. The number of flight hours and associated exams will depend on the type of certification. Airline pilots require the most training hours — 1,500 as mandated by the FAA — to become certified. Some universities have reduced-hour programs for those who want to start early as a co-pilot with a restricted airline transfer pilot (R-ATP) certificate.

• College or university aviation program: These programs, such as Marshall’s Professional Pilot bachelor’s degree, combine a college degree with flight training. They are a great option if you’re looking for a well-rounded education and considering a career with an airline that prefers or requires a bachelor’s degree. Costs for these programs can range from $80,000 to $150,000, but total cost will depend on whether the program covers briefings, add-on ratings, ground school and other expenses.
• FAA-approved flight school: These schools follow a structured FAA-approved curriculum. While offered at a faster pace than other programs, they are among the more expensive options, ranging from $70,000 to $100,000, and have very strict requirements in their scheduling.
• Private flight instructor: This is a more flexible and personalized one-on-one learning option. There is no real time frame for private lessons as every individual instructor operates on their own schedule.

Be aware that not every private instructor teaches flight instructor ratings, and if they lease their aircraft there can be availability issues with aircraft time.