How to Become a Professional Airplane Pilot

Becoming a professional pilot takes years of effort.

Becoming a professional airplane pilot is a challenging career endeavor with a big payoff. Whether you choose to be a commercial pilot for a smaller business or fly for the airlines, the salaries are attractive and the airline industry is projected to continue to grow worldwide. The aviation career field is vast with airline pilots, military fighter pilots, firefighting pilots and corporate pilots. Regardless of the path you choose, the first step is learning to fly.

Instructions

General Qualifications

1. Meet the private pilot requirements by being 17 years old. You must be 18 years old to apply for a commercial certificate and 23 years old to apply for an airline transport pilot certificate. The FAA requires that individuals must be U.S. citizens or obtain clearance from the Transportation Security Administration, must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language prior to beginning training.

   In obtaining any certificate, the FAA mandates that certain minimum elements be included in flight training. These elements become more advanced as you earn higher levels of certification. They include minimum cross-country flight time, number of landings and takeoffs, instrument training and navigation.

2. Meet the citizenship requirements by either being a U.S. citizen or participate in the Alien Flight Student Program that includes undergoing a security threat assessment by the TSA. This applies to any student training for certification in aircraft with a maximum weight of 12,500 pounds. The FAA will suspend a pilot's certificate if the TSA notifies the FAA in writing that the individual is a security threat. The FAA will keep the certificate suspended until the outcome of the TSA initial review. The FAA can revoke or deny application for a pilot's certificate for any individual that is given a "Final Notification of Threat Assessment."

3. Obtain a third-class medical certificate. The FAA recommends students get their medical certificate prior to beginning any training. This way a student knows immediately if there are any pre-existing conditions that would prevent him from continuing training before he begins paying for flight school.

Flight Training Path

1. Earn your private pilot certificate by obtain a minimum of 40 hours of flight time and passing both an FAA written examination on aeronautical knowledge and a practical examination, which is the flight test. The flight hours are divided into a minimum of 20 hours of flying with an instructor and 10 solo flight hours, with an additional 10 hours to be used at the discretion of the school or student.

2. Continue your flight training and acquire additional flight and ground training. Pass a practical examination and a written examination. The commercial pilot certificate is obtained after you have earned your private pilot's certificate. It gives the pilot the privilege to act as the pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is carrying people or property and receive compensation. The training for a commercial certificate is more advanced, increasing your skills and understanding of aircraft and the aeronautical industry. The training also includes aeronautical decision-making, night and high altitude operations and procedures for operating in the National Airspace System.

3. Obtain your ATP to become an airline captain. The airline transport pilot certificate gives the pilot the same privileges as a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating. Applicants must be 23 years old and have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, 500 of which are cross-country, 100 hours of night flights and 75 hours of logged instrument time. They also must have advanced training and take a practical and written examination.

Tips & Warnings

• Earn your Certified Flight Instructor or Ground School Instructor ratings to boost your resume even more. As a CFI or GSI you can train other pilots. This may help pay for your training.

• Professional pilots can spend up to 15 days a month away from home due to layovers in other cities.

References

• AOPA: Regulatory and Certification Policy: Aliens and Non-U.S. Citizens Seeking Flight Training
• FAR Title 14 Part 61 Certification: Pilots, FE, and Ground Instructors: Par 61.103 Eligibility Requirements
• FAR Title 14 Part 61 Certification: Pilots, FE, and Ground Instructors: Paragraph 61.18 Security Disqualification
• FAA: Become a Pilot - Medical Certificate Requirements
• FAA Title 14 Part 61 Certification: Pilots, FE, and Ground Instructors: Paragraph 61.23 Medical certificates
• Sporty's Pilot Shop: Learn to Fly Here!: Sport, Recreational or Private Certificate?

Resources

• FAA: Become a Pilot
• AOPA: Career Pilot
• FAR Title 14 Part 61 Certification: Pilots, FE, and Ground Instructors
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Handbook 2010-11: Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers