How to Become a Pilot in the U.S.
A pilot holding a commercial license from the Federal Aviation Administration, the United States' aviation governing body, can find a job with a regional airline, cargo company, air taxi operation or a corporate flight department. Additionally, a pilot holding a certified flight instructor certificate may find a pilot training job with a college or university, flight school or pilot proficiency company. To earn these licenses, you must complete several stages of FAA-sanctioned flight and ground training and earn several pilot certificates.
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Instructions
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Get a pilot physical from a licensed aviation medical examiner. To gain an aviation medical certificate, which is necessary to act as a pilot, you must have a clean bill of health, including 20/20 corrected vision, satisfactory heart function and no history of mental illness.
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Enroll in a flight school. Choose a school that offers both single and multi-engine training aircraft, as well as flight simulators and training devices. Interview the school's flight instructors to get a better idea of the training program and safety practices.
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Complete training for a private pilot certificate, the most basic form of pilot's license. You must complete flight training and a ground school course. You must take an FAA written knowledge test and a flight test with an FAA examiner, known as a "check ride," to receive your license.
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Earn your instrument flight rules certificate, which will allow you to fly in low-visibility conditions, in clouds or above 18,000 feet. Complete both ground and flight training and pass the FAA written test and check ride.
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Earn your commercial pilot certificate in a multi-engine aircraft. Finish commercial pilot ground and flight training and pass the FAA written test and check ride.
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Earn your certified flight instructor rating. Complete an aviation teaching and instructing course, pass an FAA written test and a check ride.
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Apply for entry-level piloting jobs. Most new professional pilots opt to build flight hours through working as flight instructors, while some choose to fly freight, tow banners or fly skydivers in order to reach 800 hours of flight time, the minimum required to work as a regional airline pilot.
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Tips & Warnings
Earn your airline transport pilot license. While not required for entry-level airline jobs, many airlines look for pilots with this certificate. To earn an ATP license, you must be at least 23 years old and have a minimum of 1,500 hours total flight time
