Is becoming a commercial pilot right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a commercial pilot is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a commercial pilot or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a Commercial Pilot
Becoming a commercial pilot involves specialized training, licensing, and flight experience. Here are the general steps to follow:
- Earn a High School Diploma: Start by completing high school or earning an equivalent qualification. A strong background in math, physics, and English can be especially helpful.
- Take Private Pilot Training: Enroll in a flight school or aviation program to earn a private pilot license (PPL). This is the first major step toward becoming a commercial pilot and involves flight hours, ground instruction, and passing an exam.
- Log Flight Hours: Build up flying experience by logging flight hours. Most commercial pilot licenses require at least 250 hours of flight time, including solo flights and cross-country navigation.
- Earn a Commercial Pilot License (CPL): After meeting the required flight time, pass the written, oral, and flight exams to obtain a commercial pilot license. This license allows you to be paid for flying.
- Consider Additional Ratings: Depending on your career goals, you may need additional certifications such as an instrument rating (to fly in all weather conditions) or multi-engine rating (to operate aircraft with more than one engine).
- Gain Experience and Apply for Jobs: Start working in entry-level roles such as flight instruction, banner towing, or aerial tours. As you gain experience, you can move on to larger aircraft and more advanced positions.
- Maintain Certifications: Pilots must meet medical requirements and complete regular training to keep their licenses current and ensure they stay up to date with aviation safety standards.
Certifications
Here are some additional certifications that commercial pilots often earn to expand their qualifications and job opportunities:
- Instrument Rating (IR): Allows pilots to fly in low-visibility conditions using instruments alone. This is essential for flying in clouds, fog, or at night, and is often required by employers.
- Multi-Engine Rating: Permits pilots to operate aircraft with more than one engine. Many commercial planes are multi-engine, so this rating is important for advancing to larger aircraft.
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI): Enables a pilot to teach others how to fly. This is a common way for new commercial pilots to gain experience and build flight hours.
- Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII): Allows a CFI to teach instrument flying. It builds on the basic CFI rating and is valuable for pilots interested in advanced instruction roles.
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate: The highest level of pilot certification. Required for pilots who want to fly for major airlines or in command of larger commercial aircraft.
- Type Rating: Required for each specific aircraft model a pilot plans to fly if the plane is large or complex (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320). Pilots need separate training and testing for each type-rated aircraft.