Q&A for How to Become an Airline Pilot

The average investment of money to obtain the average amount of flight training (dual, with an instructor & solo) for a private pilot license/certificate is $10,000. The average investment of time required to study and pass the FAA private pilot written exam is about 500 hours. The average investment to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license/certificate is 10X that of a private pilots license: $100,000 to obtain all necessary instruction and interim ratings (private, instrument, commercial, multi, ATP etc.) including approximately 5000 hours of time to study all the instruction materials to pass the required add-on knowledge exams, likely over the course of several years.

You'll need to have a knowledge of air navigation, interpretation of meteorological reports, operations of sophisticated electronic and mechanical controls, leading the aircraft under adverse circumstances, and being a leader to the flight crew and passengers under climatic and other emergency situations. Thus, useful subjects would include mathematics, sciences, management, communications (especially English, the language used by pilots internationally) and stress management.

As long as you have 20/20 vision while wearing corrective lenses, and no other serious vision problems, wearing eyeglasses or contacts should not present a problem. However, check with the airline recruiting agency first, asking for their rules about eyesight.

Just 1. All international pilots and air traffic controllers must be proficient in English. If you are recreational, then the native language of the area you are in should serve sufficiently.

Yes. Your sex has nothing to do with the job you have chosen.

Look up flight schools in your area.

Yes, after enough experience with a given plane, you may upgrade to a bigger plane (the usual trend).

As long as you have 20/20 vision while wearing corrective lenses, and no other serious vision problems, wearing eyeglasses or contacts should not present a problem. However, check with the airline recruiting agency first, asking for their rules about eyesight.

It depends. A license can be obtained without any degrees, but since it is expensive, the airline company you will be working for usually shoulders it. Also, most airlines prefer to hire employees with degrees, so it's best to get one.

It depends on your experience, how long you've flown, and what company you are working for. Typically, it is about $90,000.00 to $250,000.00 a year.

Yes you can, if you can conquer the fear of being very high up.

Yes, as long as you meet Part 121 regulations and the airline approves you to work for them. Since a commercial pilot certificate (single or multi) accounts for 60 hours of college credit, it is the approximated hours required for an associates degree. Now you can only hold a position as a first officer, but it gets your foot in the door to build jet time and work on your degree. Airline pilots have a lot of down-time, so it's recommended to get a degree online and in the field of aviation. Although any Bachelors degree will do for a captain position, a Bachelors of Science degree is preferred and will most likely give you an advantage over other candidates. It's all about senority!

No, there is no requirement for bribe monies. Also, do not ever pre-pay any flight school more than $1,000 deposit. If you get a loan, use a service that pays the school out of an escrow account. Most schools are trustworthy, but not every one is.

Depends what kind of pilot. For a private pilot's license, it is usually around $10,000.

There is no entrance exam. Just be willing to work hard and make sure you can afford the training costs. You will have to learn to read and write English to a moderate level. Most foreign citizens come to the United States to earn their pilot's licenses due to lower cost and less government regulation as well as worldwide respected quality of education.

Do some research on flight schools or universities and sign up. Everyone starts somewhere. Many schools offer an introductory flight for a reduced rate where you take the controls for the first time. If you enjoy it, begin taking lessons and your instructor will guide you through the necessary steps to acquiring a license.

Around about ten years, if you get the four year degree. If you don't, six years.

If you decide to go to a university to become a pilot I would choose a school that has accredited degree programs. Look for keywords like "flight sciences" or "professional flight" or "aeronautical science". My degree program is Aviation Flight Science at a public university in USA.

To get a job with your Commercial License, you will need at least 200 hours of flight time.

Get some training in the Air Force -- this will really boost you.

There are four levels of pilot's license: Light Sport, Private, Commercial, Airline Transport License (ATP). Either single or multi-engine, or get both. An instrument rating is usually gained after private, and required for ATP. To obtain each license, it takes a big commitment to studying for the written exam, study and practice for the flying portion, then study for the oral exam, and finally, an oral & flight exam. Just like obtaining a driver's license, only a lot more work. This all takes a lot of money as well, about $8,000 for each. For most people, plan on 6 months each for private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, ATP. But it is possible to do them in 1-2 months each.

No. You will need to apply to the airline and have all the other requirements.

It depends. At an aviation university program, the structure is set up to where after four years you graduate with about 250-300 hours. To get to the airlines under part 121 FAA regulations, you need to have 1000 hours which could vary in time depending on how you try to gain the hours. Usually one to two years will suffice. Without a degree or military time, however, you must meet 1500 hours to even apply, take that as you will.

Flight lessons to get your private pilot's license will cost around $100 per hour.

Check out plane-specific wikiHow articles, such as Fly a Cessna, for a more in-depth explanation.

If you start airline school with 2 years of college, it should take about 2 more years.

It depends. As a commercial pilot you will need to undergo medical tests every 6 months to a year, depending on age. Some airlines do require drug tests; if you are doing your first medical prior to starting a job with an airline, there is a very good chance that they will. Benzos are one of the things they check for, so if you take any medication which has benzodiazapines (sleeping aids, anti-anxiety, plus many others), be sure to alert them of your prescription.

Yes, you should be perfectly fine as long as the other ear works normally.

46 is not too old for private or commercial pilot, but you will have to inquire at airline pilot schools to get their age limit. Most schools would like you to be 23 to start and require a pilot to retire at 65.

It depends which Air Force you're speaking of. Most require you to have completed University and have a degree before you can even join as an officer.