How Hard Is It to Get a Jet Pilot License?

Pilots train for several years before establishing solid careers as jet pilots.

Getting a commercial pilot's license requires hundreds of hours of training in the classroom and in the skies. Students typically choose one of two traditional routes to get their license: join the U.S. armed forces or go to flight school.

Requirements

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Aviation Administration issues commercial pilot licenses to people at least 18 years of age who have 250 hours of flight experience. Candidates undergo an intensive medical workup, and then must pass a written exam and prove their flying ability during an in-flight test. After a candidate meets these standards, she must secure other certifications to fly in a variety of conditions.

Training

If opting for flight school, choose an FAA-approved school, as the FAA increases the number of required flight hours for licensure for candidates trained by unapproved institutions. Training in the military offers the chance to earn all the needed flight hours on the job, but obligates you to service for a specific amount of time.

Employment

According to 2008 labor bureau data, commercial pilots earn an average of $65,340 per year. Most employers hire pilots with several thousand hours of flight time under their belts. If you receive training from flight school, getting the additional hours required to become a competitive applicant may present challenges. For this reason, pilots with military training usually possess more experience than flight-school graduates.

References

• Federal Aviation Administration: Become a Pilot
• AvScholars: Learn to Fly
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers