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How many years does it take to be a pilot?
Well hello! I'm Ms. Spatzer at the International Community School. My 4th graders have a few questions and I'd like to share your advice with them. Thanks so much!
#pilot
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Joseph’s Answer
You can turn this into a pretty good math problem.
The minimum hours of flight time to get a pilots license is 40. The average is around 85. The typical flight is going to be about 1.5 hours. So for the average person it will take about 60 flights (56.7). An ideal schedule would be flying about 3 times per week. Less than that and it's hard to build proficiency, more than that it's hard to study and absorb the material. So about 20 weeks or 5 months to get a private pilot license.
Now a private license lets you fly for fun and take passengers, but you can't be paid. A passenger can't even cover the total cost of the flight, only their fair share of it. To become a commercial pilot (can be paid but still limits on passenger numbers) requires 200 hours. To become an airline transport pilot (ATP) requires 1,500 hours. Then there's additional ratings based on the category and class of aircraft (single engine, multi-engine, helicopter, etc) as well as other ratings like high performance, pressurized, complex, and instruments.
Back to the original question - for those that want to become an airline pilot they can get all the way through Instructor in under a year. That allows them to teach and get paid while they build hours and experience for their commercial license and eventually their ATP. During that time they'll also add on ratings like multi-engine and instrument (and instructor for each). After that it's just building hours and finding opportunities. To get to the minor airlines will take a minimum of 3-5 years and up to an additional 5 to get to the majors. Alternatively you'll have people (like me) who go the military route. They'll take you in less than a year to where you qualify for commercial and instrument ratings (potentially with multi-engine, high performance, and complex certifications as well). That said the minimum payback is around 10 years after training. During those 10 years you'll upgrade to instructor and be able to get the equivalent civilian ratings as well. So to go from "I want to be a pilot" to "I work for Delta" is about 6-10 years.
Personal anecdote: I still remember in 5th grade going into the school library and trying to find out how much pilots made. I had no idea what the numbers meant but I knew I wanted to be one so I figured I should start learning about it. I think I found a book about air traffic controllers though because the numbers were based on airport, instead of aircraft.
The minimum hours of flight time to get a pilots license is 40. The average is around 85. The typical flight is going to be about 1.5 hours. So for the average person it will take about 60 flights (56.7). An ideal schedule would be flying about 3 times per week. Less than that and it's hard to build proficiency, more than that it's hard to study and absorb the material. So about 20 weeks or 5 months to get a private pilot license.
Now a private license lets you fly for fun and take passengers, but you can't be paid. A passenger can't even cover the total cost of the flight, only their fair share of it. To become a commercial pilot (can be paid but still limits on passenger numbers) requires 200 hours. To become an airline transport pilot (ATP) requires 1,500 hours. Then there's additional ratings based on the category and class of aircraft (single engine, multi-engine, helicopter, etc) as well as other ratings like high performance, pressurized, complex, and instruments.
Back to the original question - for those that want to become an airline pilot they can get all the way through Instructor in under a year. That allows them to teach and get paid while they build hours and experience for their commercial license and eventually their ATP. During that time they'll also add on ratings like multi-engine and instrument (and instructor for each). After that it's just building hours and finding opportunities. To get to the minor airlines will take a minimum of 3-5 years and up to an additional 5 to get to the majors. Alternatively you'll have people (like me) who go the military route. They'll take you in less than a year to where you qualify for commercial and instrument ratings (potentially with multi-engine, high performance, and complex certifications as well). That said the minimum payback is around 10 years after training. During those 10 years you'll upgrade to instructor and be able to get the equivalent civilian ratings as well. So to go from "I want to be a pilot" to "I work for Delta" is about 6-10 years.
Personal anecdote: I still remember in 5th grade going into the school library and trying to find out how much pilots made. I had no idea what the numbers meant but I knew I wanted to be one so I figured I should start learning about it. I think I found a book about air traffic controllers though because the numbers were based on airport, instead of aircraft.
Updated
John’s Answer
I do not fly myself but I have friends that do and it takes a few years. My friends that fly, fly small planes and it took them I believe 6 months to get their license. Our military and commercial airline pilots take longer to get to the point that they are licensed to fly those really big airplanes.
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
My nephew was able to get his private license in four months. With that, he could fly planes for his friends.
It took him four years to get the right license so he could get his first job. It could be done faster.
There are different ways to get your pilot's license
- Work for a private company at a local airport
- Take a college program, or
- Go into the military
Good luck! I wanted to be a pilot when I was your age.
It took him four years to get the right license so he could get his first job. It could be done faster.
There are different ways to get your pilot's license
- Work for a private company at a local airport
- Take a college program, or
- Go into the military
Good luck! I wanted to be a pilot when I was your age.
Updated
Valerie’s Answer
There are going to be great opportunities ahead and I have loved my career as an airline pilot for the last four decades. I recommend the website clearedtodream.org which has a wealth of information on how to get started and various paths available.
In addition to flying for the airlines there are many opportunities as a flight instructor, corporate pilot, helicopter pilot, military pilot, even drone pilot to name a few for those who are called to aviation.
Many universities provide aviation degree programs and there is a lot of scholarship money available to those who need financial assistance from various organizations trying to promote diversity in aviation. One benefit is pay equity for women as pay rates and opportunities for advancement are equitable.
In addition to flying for the airlines there are many opportunities as a flight instructor, corporate pilot, helicopter pilot, military pilot, even drone pilot to name a few for those who are called to aviation.
Many universities provide aviation degree programs and there is a lot of scholarship money available to those who need financial assistance from various organizations trying to promote diversity in aviation. One benefit is pay equity for women as pay rates and opportunities for advancement are equitable.