How to Become a Pilot

The main credential to become a pilot is the pilot license. The Private Pilot License allows you to fly. The Commercial Pilot License allows you to fly professionally. The Airline Transport License can be considered as the Master’s in flying. It is the highest level of licensing and it is what you will need for higher level jobs in airlines and to fly as Captain. These are the three main licenses. For people looking to fly for leisure, there are also the sport license and recreational license.

The first thing that you should do is ask yourself your primary objective in becoming a pilot. Is it to fly the skies in your spare time or is it to one day command an airline jet flying out of major airports all over the world. A career as a pilot is fun and exciting, especially if you are passionate about flying. Airline pilots are one of the most respected and well-paid designations out there today. Whichever you decide, the first steps in your flight training are the same for both kinds of prospective students.

Starting out, you may have many questions such as:

How do I become a pilot?
How much does a pilot license cost?
How long does it take to get a pilot license?

Let’s take an in depth look at the answer to these questions.

First, a little background on pilot licensing

Pilot Licensing in the United States

In the United States, licensing is issued and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is a branch of the Department of Transportation (DOT). A pilot is certified under the authority of Parts 61 and 141 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, also known as the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

Pilot Licensing in Canada

In Canada, licensing is issued and regulated by Transport Canada (TC) under the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR). A pilot is certified with a license in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) license Standards And Recommended Practices (SARP).

Where to Get Your Training

There are three options to get your flight training:

1. Traditional flight school

These are the local flight schools in your area. These are privately owned and operate solely to give flight lessons to students. Depending on your location, there may be many or only one flight school to choose from. All flight schools are different in their teaching approach, size, and cost. It is a good idea to visit a few of them (or all) before making a commitment.

2. Aviation College

There are also diploma programs offered by some colleges. These schools offer flight training in accordance with a post-secondary diploma in Aviation. Although diploma programs may seem more attractive, they are approximately double the price of getting your flight training at a traditional flight school. These programs are more aimed toward people looking at aviation as a career option.

3. The Air Force

The Air Force is a popular option for many people because, not only is it free flight training, but you get paid a salary during your time served as well. Although it will take much longer to get your flighttraining in the Air Force, (simply because you are committed to a set number of years of service) Air Force pilots are highly regarded in the aviation industry due to their rigorous training and the diversity of environments and situations that they encounter on missions.

Your First Pilot License

(Whether you wanted to become a recreational or commercial pilot, the process starts here)

Can’t decide if you want to become a pilot for fun or for money? Here are some good reads to get you headed in the right direction:

You can choose to start with one of two licenses: The private license or the recreational license.

Starting with a Recreational Pilot License vs Starting with a Private Pilot License

Which license you decide to start with will depend on what you want to do with your license, and how much money you are willing to spend on your flight training. The recreational license can be upgraded to the private license, and the private license is required to upgrade to the commercial and airline transport pilot license. So it really depends on your end goal of becoming a pilot.

One benefit of starting with a recreational license is that you can finish it faster and cheaper than a private license. Therefore, if you were not completely sure if you wanted to invest a large portion of your savings into a private pilot license, you can always get the recreational training first, and then upgrade when you feel confident that you want to continue with your training.

Read more about the two licenses below and click on them for more information:

Private Pilot License
This is the full basic license that allows flying all around the world for travel and leisure and it is the first step to become a commercial pilot. It is the main requirement for training for the commercial license. You would be able to use your license to travel around the world with friends or family. When you complete your flight training and get your license, it is internationally recognized.

Recreational Pilot License
For people not wishing to dive into training for the private license right away, there is also the recreational license. This is essentially a mini private pilot license. The aircraft flown during lessons is the same, and you are taught basic manoeuvres without delving into the finer details that you would during private license training. There are many restrictions to the recreational license such as the distance you are allowed to travel during flights, but it is a good license to start with because it can be completed in approximately half the time and cost of a private license. After getting your recreational license, you may decide to continue your flight training to upgrade it to the private license.

Another License to Consider:

Sport Pilot License
Fly a sport aircraft. It is the only license that does not require an Aviation Medical, but only a valid driver’s license. It can be completed in half the time of a private pilot license and at half the cost. A sport pilot license is slightly different from the first two. This license is geared more toward people wishing to fly recreationally, and not invest too much of their time and money. Also, you are flying light-weight sport aircraft jets. The training you receive can’t be upgraded to a private pilot license because the type of aircraft you are trained in is different. However, if you wanted simply to fly for fun, this can be a great license to get. Not only can you complete the training fairly quickly, sport air planes are a delight to fly.

Removing Restrictions From Your License

To remove restrictions from your pilot license, you need to get specific Ratings. These restrictions could be flying in bad weather, night time, or above clouds (just to name a few). There is even a Rating you must get if you wish to become a flight instructor. Every restriction has its own rating that you need to train for and add-on to your license. When you decide to get these ratings is completely up to you. However, some ratings do have some strict requirements on your flying experience and the type of license you hold.

For example, if you held a private pilot license, but found that your flying time is limited because you can’t fly at sundown, then you may decide to get the Night Time Rating and receive permission to continue your flying even in night time hours.

Becoming a Commercial Pilot

(If your goal is not to fly as a career, then these further licenses aren’t necessary)

To work as a pilot, you will have to go back to flight school to get your commercial license. To continue with this training, you will need to have received your private pilot license.

Commercial Pilot License
This is the license required to work as a professional pilot. Doing what you love for a living is one of the most fulfilling accomplishments you can attain in your life. If you love flying, consider becoming a commercial pilot. This license allows you to fly for compensation. To get this license, you will need to continue your flight training after you get your private pilot license. Once you complete the training, pass the licensing exam, and receive your license, you are now eligible to work at paid flying positions.

Airline Transport Pilot License
This is the highest level of pilot license required for airline positions. As you build up your flying experience and log more flying hours with your commercial license, you will eventually have logged enough flying experience to be eligible to get your Airline Transport Pilot License. This license is the only license that does not require you to go to a certified flight school. It requires years of flying experience, which you gain through working as a pilot with your commercial license. You will need the Airline Transport Pilot License to fly as Captain for major airlines, which is the goal of most people who dream to become a pilot.

Starting Work

Starting out as a commercial pilot with no aviation-related working experience can be tough. Finding a stable job will be difficult and the pay may be very low. However, a pilot’s credentials are all about the flying hours and licensing. As your experience increases, so will your opportunities.

Remember, you are flying for a living! And if you love flying, there is nothing more rewarding. You will be one of the rare group of people on Earth who love what they do. On top of that, with hard work and dedication, you will eventually become a Captain of a major airline and enjoy one of the most attractive salary and benefits packages in the world.

The beauty of a career in aviation is that it’s never boring. Many pilots would fly for free if they had to. They love it. There is nothing else that they would want to do more. It’s their passion, and I hope you share the feeling.

Image credit: Ronnie Macdonald on Flickr