Transportation & Aviation
How to Become a Pilot
To become an airline pilot, you earn a series of FAA certificates (private, instrument, commercial, then the Airline Transport Pilot certificate) and build 1,500 flight hours, or fewer with a qualifying aviation degree or military training. Starting from zero, most people take 2 to 4 years. Training usually costs $65,000 to $130,000, and much more at a four-year aviation university.
- Time to start
- 2–4 years from zero to airline first officer
- Typical cost
- $65,000–$130,000 (more for a 4-year aviation degree)
- Median pay
- $232,140 per year (airline pilots); $123,220 (commercial pilots)
- Education
- High school diploma; many airlines prefer a bachelor's degree
- License / certification
- FAA ATP certificate and FAA first-class medical
- Job outlook
- +7% (2025–35), much faster than average
Steps to become a pilot
Get an FAA medical certificate first
Book an exam with an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) before you spend money on training. Ask for a first-class medical, since airlines require one to fly as captain. If you have a health condition, find out early whether it needs a special issuance.
Earn your private pilot certificate
This is your first certificate. The FAA minimum is 40 flight hours under Part 61 (35 under Part 141), but most students need more. You pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test, then an oral exam and checkride with an examiner.
Add an instrument rating
The instrument rating teaches you to fly using only cockpit instruments, in clouds and low visibility. Airlines require it. You pass the Instrument Rating knowledge test and a checkride.
Earn your commercial pilot certificate
A commercial certificate lets you get paid to fly. You need at least 250 total hours under Part 61 (190 under an approved Part 141 course) and must be 18. Most airline-track students also add a multi-engine rating at this stage.
Become a flight instructor and build hours
Most new commercial pilots earn a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate and get paid to teach while logging hours. Others fly banner tows, aerial surveys, skydiving jumps or charter. This is the longest phase, usually 1 to 2 years.
Complete ATP-CTP and earn your ATP certificate
Airline first officers need an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. The full ATP requires age 23 and 1,500 hours. A restricted ATP is available at age 21 with 750 hours for military pilots, 1,000 hours for qualifying aviation bachelor's graduates, or 1,250 hours for qualifying aviation associate graduates. You must finish the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) before the ATP knowledge test.
Apply to regional airlines
Most airline pilots start at a regional carrier as a first officer. Many regionals hire before you reach 1,500 hours through pathway or cadet programs. Prepare for a technical interview, a simulator evaluation and a background check.
Finish airline training and move up by seniority
New hires complete company training and a type rating for their aircraft. Pay and schedules improve with seniority. Many pilots upgrade to captain, then move to a major or cargo airline.
Find a flight school or aviation degree program
Compare total cost to commercial and CFI, not just the advertised hourly rate, and ask schools for their checkride pass rates and how many instructors and aircraft they have per student.
- Part 61 flight school (flexible, pay as you go)
- Part 141 flight school (structured FAA-approved syllabus, fewer minimum hours)
- Accelerated airline career academy (zero to commercial and CFI in about a year)
- University aviation bachelor's degree (qualifies for a 1,000-hour restricted ATP)
- Two-year aviation associate degree (qualifies for a 1,250-hour restricted ATP)
- Airline cadet or pathway program (partnered school with a conditional job offer)
Thanks! School matching goes live soon.
Note: partner school matching is not connected yet.Requirements
How much it costs and how long it takes
| Expense | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA medical exam | $100 | $250 | Set by each AME |
| Private pilot certificate | $12,000 | $20,000 | Depends on aircraft rental rates and how often you fly |
| Instrument rating | $8,000 | $15,000 | |
| Commercial certificate + multi-engine | $20,000 | $40,000 | |
| CFI / CFII training | $8,000 | $16,000 | |
| Knowledge tests and checkride examiner fees | $3,000 | $7,000 | Several written tests plus 4–6 practical tests |
| Headset, charts, books, apps | $500 | $2,000 | |
| Four-year aviation degree (optional) | $100,000 | $240,000 | Tuition plus flight fees; can lower ATP hours to 1,000 |
| Total | $151,600 | $340,250 | Timeline: 2–4 years from zero to airline first officer |
Exams and how to prepare
FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) knowledge test
Multiple-choice test on regulations, weather, aerodynamics, navigation and airspace.
How to prepare: Use a ground school course or app and take timed practice tests until you score 90% or better.
FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) knowledge test
Instrument procedures, approach charts, IFR regulations and weather.
How to prepare: Study approach plates daily and drill question banks; take it before you start heavy instrument flying.
FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) knowledge test
Advanced aerodynamics, performance, commercial regulations and systems.
How to prepare: Review your private pilot material first; most questions build on it.
FAA ATP Multiengine (ATM) knowledge test
Airline operations, high-altitude weather, Part 121 rules and transport aircraft performance.
How to prepare: Complete ATP-CTP first; you need its graduation certificate to sit the test.
FAA practical tests (checkrides)
Oral exam and flight test with an FAA examiner for each certificate and rating.
How to prepare: Fly mock checkrides with a different instructor and know the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for your test.
Prepare for your FAA knowledge tests
Online ground school and test-prep apps cost far less than flight time, so pass the written test before you start each stage of flying.
- FAA Private Pilot (PAR) knowledge test
- FAA Instrument Rating (IRA) knowledge test
- FAA Commercial Pilot (CAX) knowledge test
- FAA Flight Instructor (FOI and FIA) knowledge tests
- FAA ATP Multiengine (ATM) knowledge test
Pilot salary and job outlook
Employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average (airline pilots 8%, commercial pilots 5%).
Printable PDF
Pilot Career Kit: 90-Day Action Plan
- 90-day action plan with checkboxes
- Documents checklist
- 12 interview questions with tips
- Resume lines, common mistakes, 13-week tracker
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a pilot?
A private pilot certificate takes about 3 to 6 months if you fly a few times a week. Reaching an airline job takes most people 2 to 4 years from zero, because you need 1,500 hours or a reduced restricted-ATP minimum. Accelerated academies are faster; part-time training is slower.
How much does it cost to become a pilot?
A private pilot certificate alone usually costs $12,000 to $20,000. The full path to airline-ready commercial and instructor certificates usually runs $65,000 to $130,000. A four-year aviation university can cost far more once tuition is included.
Can you become a pilot without a degree?
Yes. The FAA does not require a degree for any pilot certificate. Many regional airlines hire pilots without one, but some major airlines prefer a bachelor's degree, so it can matter later for career moves.
Is there an age limit to become a pilot?
There is no upper age limit to start training. You must be 23 for a full ATP (21 for a restricted ATP), and U.S. airline pilots must retire at 65. People who start in their 30s or 40s still get hired, though they have fewer seniority years.
What is the 1,500-hour rule?
Airline first officers must hold an ATP certificate, which requires 1,500 total flight hours. The FAA allows a restricted ATP with 750 hours for military pilots, 1,000 for qualifying aviation bachelor's graduates and 1,250 for qualifying aviation associate graduates.
How much do airline pilots make?
BLS reports a median of $232,140 per year for airline pilots in May 2025. First-year regional pay is much lower than that median. Pay rises with seniority, aircraft size and moving to a major airline.
Do I need perfect vision to be a pilot?
No. A first-class medical allows glasses or contacts if your corrected vision meets FAA standards. Color vision is tested, and some deficiencies can be cleared with an alternate test.
What is the hardest part of becoming a pilot?
For most people it is money and the hour-building phase. Paying for training up front and then spending a year or more instructing to reach airline minimums takes patience. Plan your financing before you start.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Airline and Commercial Pilots
- FAA: Become a Pilot
- 14 CFR 61.160: Restricted ATP aeronautical experience (Cornell LII)
- 14 CFR 61.159: ATP aeronautical experience (Cornell LII)
- FAA: Medical Certification
Requirements vary by state and employer and can change. Confirm details with the official sources above before you spend money on training.