Years of study, training, and licencing are required to become a pilot. You can plan out your career path and know what to expect if you start early enough. You must have at least ten years of piloting experience to be eligible for the highest-paying positions. To fulfil the prerequisites for a profession as a pilot, put in a lot of effort and practise.

Becoming Educated

Finish high school. You require a high school graduation to enrol in flight school in the United States (and perhaps internationally, like Australia). To get ready early, work hard in class and think about taking physics or maths classes. Get a General Education Development (GED) certificate if you don’t have your high school diploma. 

Some aviation instructors teach flying to kids as early as 16 years old. Ask the policies of nearby flight instructors by giving them a call. You might be able to start your training earlier.

Take into consideration enlisting.

If you’re on the fence about going into the military, it may be a fantastic method for you to learn to fly and get experience. The Air Force, Navy, National Guard, and Coast Guard all provide flight instruction in the US. You will already have logged a certain number of flight hours by the time you return to civilian life.

You must be at least 18 years old to enlist in the United States military. You can join if you’re 17 and have your parents’ permission.

Get your bachelor’s in aviation or a related field completed.

While not necessary for all pilot positions, most flying schools or businesses prefer that applicants have a four-year college degree. Aeronautics and aviation degrees are offered by some colleges. If not, consider pursuing a degree in physics, math, or engineering.  Enroll in humanities or liberal arts classes while you’re in college. Admissions offices for flight schools seek out candidates with a well-rounded education.

enrol in a flight training programme.

If you studied aviation in college but did not earn a degree in it, you must enrol in flight lessons taught by an FAA-certified instructor (FAA). The FAA advises pilots to wait to apply for licencing until they have accrued sufficient experience to successfully perform a cross-country solo flight. Be aware that getting a licence involves a lot of experience, and that having a lot of training will increase your chances of passing.

Attend a flight academy.

Part 61 training and Part 141 training are the two main categories of flight training. The most typical version is Part 61, which is flexible, can be customised by instructors to meet individual needs, and lets you move at your own pace. The lesson plans are more thorough and the Part 141 training is structured and moves more quickly.

Obtaining a License

Get your health certificate.

A physical examination must be passed in multiple steps. You must first complete an online application, answering questions about your demographics and medical background. Next, you must see a physician who can vouch for your physical well-being in a variety of respects (including height/weight, vision, mental well-being, and other areas). You can apply for a first class, second class, or third class medical examination, depending on your preference. Future airline pilots must fly first class. Commercial pilots must have a second-class licence. The third class, which has the fewest limitations, is necessary for student licensure.

If you don’t pass your physical examination, all is not lost. Treatment could be able to fix it. Deaf pilots, for instance, can be certified for aircraft with an exemption for missions requiring radio communication.  Those with additional disabilities could qualify for restricted licensure.

Purchase a student pilot licence.

You can be approved for a student pilot licence once you have acquired your medical certification. This will enable you to fly with your instructor in less constrained circumstances while pursuing full licencing.

To respond to radio calls from other pilots, student pilots must be able to read, write, and comprehend the English language. If English is your second language, make sure you study it well before applying.

gain more flight time.

A pilot-in-training must log at least 250 hours of flight time before applying for a licence. These hours can be tallied through military training, flight school, or practise sessions with an FAA-licensed instructor.

Prior to being eligible for new pilot positions after receiving your licence, you must accrue more flying time (like working at a commercial airline). After graduation, many pilots become flight instructors to increase their flying time.