You may be wondering and asking what it takes to become a pilot in 2020/2021, well this is a step-by-step guide that will answer your question on how to become a pilot including courses to study to become a pilot.
If you are ever looking for how to become a pilot, here is the best content that can help you become a great commercial pilot in the world. Here, we discussed ways to become a pilot as well as the qualification, salaries, schools, etc. This content will guide through all you need to know about becoming a pilot.
You might be burdened with these questions such as, is becoming a pilot worth the cost? what qualification do you need to become a pilot?. Let’s not bore you with questions but I believe you have many other questions which we are going to answer here in this article.
Ways to Become a Pilot
During childhood days, studying aviation and becoming a pilot is actually one of the professions that has usually made the list of children when fondly asked, what do you want to be in the future?
This is one of the professions that can apparently not go extinct as there will continuously be the movement of people from one location to the other by ait consequent upon it being the fast means of transportation. To that effect the job of a Pilot is important and they are held in high esteem.
So, are you desirous of becoming a commercial or private pilot? then this article is just for you! Here, we have uncovered the best ways you can take in becoming a Pilot, qualification to become a Pilot, the Salary of Pilots, and courses to study to become a pilot and best pilot schools in the world all for you. So, enjoy the ride!
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Steps to Become a Pilot in 2020/2021
Here are the steps you can take to become a pilot in 2020
Step 1: Obtain a College Degree in Aviation
The first step in becoming a pilot is to obtain a degree. To obtain a degree in aviation, you have to enrol for college degree programs available. While a degree may not be required, obtaining a college education gives you an edge over others. Often times, employers prefer pilots with advanced education. Commercial airlines tend to prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree over individuals with an associate’s degree.
To get a good educational foundation as a Pilot, you have to obtain a major in aeronautic engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or computer science. Indeed, the importance of obtaining a college education in aviation cannot be overemphasized.
How to become a Pilot After Graduation
Step 2: Gain Flying Hours
After obtaining your college degree in aviation, the next step one need to focus more is gaining flying hours.
Flight hours is a term meaning the hours or time spent in the sky on an aircraft. Usually, it is meant to show the experience of pilots, with the more flight hours a pilot has, the more experience.
How Important is Flying Hours?
Pilots take great pride in using flight time to self-validate their level of experience, or to express to others how experienced they believe themselves to be. Total hours flown is almost always near the top of a pilot’s resume.
How to Gain Flying Hours
If your goal is to land an airline pilot job and you’ve earned your commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating, your next priority is to put in the flight time that job requires.
Here is a simple guide that will help you gain flight hours
- Get a Job at the Airport
- Hang Out at the Airport
- Be a Friend … and a Safety Pilot
- Share Flight Time
- Join the Military
- Fly Aerial Photographers
Also, the FAA, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is a governmental body of the United States with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation in that nation as well as over its surrounding international waters, licenses flight instructors and flight schools to assist pilots to earn required flight experience.
Numerous pilots start their careers as flight instructors and in the long run, become commercial pilots in the wake of increasing more flying time and experience.
Step 3: Obtain a Pilot’s License
To obtain a commercial pilot’s license from the federal government, Pilots must pass a physical examination to make sure they have good vision and hearing just as no physical impairments that may meddle with flight performance. There is also a written exam that includes safety information and a skills test that is seen by an FAA-certified instructor and candidates must pass this too.
Step 4: Complete Additional Tests and Training
There are extra tests that candidates may be required to scale through and licenses to have that one might be required depending upon the sort of pilot position. The FAA offers a wide range of sorts of certification, for example, airworthiness certificates and medical certificates. Certain airlines may likewise require their pilots to take psychological and intelligence tests.
Step 5: Work as a Pilot
This is among the ways to follow in becoming a Pilot and here, you are required to have had an experience of what it looks like to be a pilot s pilots commonly advance with experience. This can be achieved by being a co-pilot and being employed in different industries, for example, emergency services, agriculture, or reforestation.
For instance, some pilots may start their careers flying charter planes or helicopters before working with commercial airlines. Some begin as a flight instructor, which permits them to log hours while proceeding to turn out to be progressively efficient fliers.
Step 6: Advance in the Field
Pilots follow a ranking system of seniority. After gaining numerous years of experience, normally 5-15 years, pilots at the first officer rank may have the ability to progress to the rank of captain, as outlined in their contract. Larger airline establishments often have opportunities for even further advancement, for example director of chief pilot positions.
To become a pilot, you need to have the adequate training, either a degree or via the military, and experience flying.
What Qualifications do You Need to Become a Pilot?
To the question of what qualifications do you need to become a pilot, the answer is that to become a pilot you need to be holding a bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations, aviation, aeronautical engineering, or a related field. Furthermore, you will finish about two months of ground training and need above 1,500 hours of flight experience.
A few airlines will require some of A-Levels, and commonly emphasis is placed on the attractive quality to hold these in both Maths and Science based subjects (specifically physics).
We would emphatically suggest that you work hard at school, and finish a minimum of 3 A-Levels in “core” subjects, for example, Maths, English, any Science, Geography, History or an Engineering type subject.
While holding a degree was normal place among airline pilots previously, turning out to be increasingly more typical to see cadets going directly from A-Levels into flight training. With the ongoing increment in tuition fees it appears this trend will additionally increase in the years ahead.
In addition, to be eligible to become a pilot, you must be at least 18 years, hold a minimum qualification: SSC or HSC and a level-2 medical and mental fitness certificate.
How to Get into Flight School
Becoming a commercial or private pilot takes dedication, money, and hundreds of hours of hard work. Fortunately, there are a number of different paths you can take as a prospective pilot to achieve your goals.
If you want to go to school full-time and get your pilot’s license as quickly as possible, you can enrol in a Part 141 school or an airline cadet program. If you want to hold a job while going to flight school, you can attend a Part 61 school to maintain flexibility. Another way to get flight training is to complete military service.
Is flight school hard to get into?
If your career objective is becoming an airline pilot; learning to fly an actual aeroplane is not the hardest part. Most smaller, regional airlines might ask for no more than a two-year degree, but if your goal is to be captain a large, commercial jet in one day then you have to hold a bachelor’s degree.
What is Required to Enter Flight School?
- Have a passion for flight
- You must have completed secondary school education
- Medical certification
- Must be 18 years or above
- Pass the school assessment
Best Pilot schools in the World
The best pilot schools in the world include:
| Schools | Tuition Fees Range |
| Purdue University Aviation College | $10,000-$28,000 |
| University of North Dakota | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Ohio State University Aviation College | $4,223-$10,023 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation | $48,992-51,000 |
| Western Michigan University Aviation College | $10,000-$24,000 |
| San Jose State University College of Aviation | $270 per credit unit |
| Academy College | N/A |
| Hallmark University | N/A |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | N/A |
| Rio Salado College | N/A |
| Aeroism Flight Academy | N/A |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $26,725 |
| Georgia Institute Of Technology | $13,788 |
| United States Naval Academy | Free |
| United States Air Force Academy | N/A |
Pilot Salary | How Much are Pilots Paid?
If you have been asking this very question “how much are pilots paid”, well, you are about to uncover the salaries for a pilot. Pilot salaries differ in accordance with the type of aeroplane that they’re flying and the length of time they have spent at an airline. The median yearly salary for the pilot of a large jet is an impressive $121,408. For a small jet, the median yearly salary is $104,219. Non-jet aeroplane pilots make in a significant manner, less.
Courses to Study to Become a Pilot
Training is for those applicants seeking a career in aviation. The course is divided into two parts which include ground training and flight training. Individuals who successfully scale through the training and are then given a license afterwards may go on to pursue employment with an airline or to seek a higher diploma in Aviation Science.
This is why it is expedient for you to take up these courses and work towards coming out in flying colours. The courses to study to become a pilot are degree type courses and include:
Vocational Professional Pilot Program
US Aviation Academy
Denton, USA
US Aviation Academy’s Vocational Professional Pilot Program is the fastest means to begin your career as an airline pilot. Commencing with no prior experience in aviation, in less than 7 weeks, you will be good to go.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 7 – 9 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Fast Track ATPL
Andorra Aviation Academy
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
This programme is designed to meet the requirements for a flight crew position with European Airline and to work as a pilot on American registered aircraft.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 18 months
Teaching Language: English
Study Type: Campus
ICAO to EASA Conversion Course
Olympus Aviation Academy
Kalamaria Municipality, Greece
Pace: Full-time (Campus)
Part-time (Online)
Teaching Language: English
Study Type: Online & Campus Combined
European Aviation School of Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain +1 More
The Course is among the courses to study to become a pilot and is held under European rules AIRCREW giving participants the opportunity to obtain a commercial pilot license with Sep, Mep, and the MCC course.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 14 months
Teaching Language: English
Study Type: Campus
Commercial License Pilot Course
St. Thomas Flight Centre
Saint Thomas, Canada
Do you have flying recreationally or becoming a Commercial Pilot in view and hence looking for a school to have your dream come true, the St. Thomas Flight Centre is that very school!
Pace: Full-time
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Private Pilot Certification
Institute of Aviation at Parkland College
Champaign, USA
Here, associate degree students will in a sequential order obtain the private pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, instrument rating, and multiengine rating during the program.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Teaching Language: English
Study Type: Campus
Flying Lessons
Laurentide Aviation
Saint-Féréol, Canada
Learning to fly is among the life’s most rewarding adventures. Whether you are considering learning to fly for recreation, or to pursue a career in aviation, you are about to embrace an interesting one here by enrolling for this course!
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 7 – 9 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
ATPL Integrated Training Course
Baltic Aviation Academy
Vilnius, Lithuania
Integrated Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL (A)) Training Program is a highly concentrated training programme, aimed at helping students with little or no previous flying experience.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 20 – 25 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Find Scholarships to Study Abroad in 2020
Click on any of the following countries to find scholarships for your study abroad destination.
- Scholarships to study in Canada 2020
- Scholarships to Study in the US 2020
- The Scholarships to Study in the UK 2020
- Scholarships to study in Germany 2020
- Scholarships to Study in Australia 2020
Find more scholarships in 2020 always visit our scholarship search engine at https://www.academicrelated.com/
EASA ATPL Theory Course
Flying Academy, International Flight Training Center
Prague, Czech Republic +2 More
ATPL, Airline Transport Pilot License, is the highest level of aircraft pilot certification. ATPL course is one of the courses to study to become a pilot, meant for future airline pilots.
Pace: Part time & Full-time
Duration:
33 weeks
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Online & Campus Combined
Aircraft Piloting
Estonian Aviation Academy
Ülenurme, Estonia
This aeronautical course, the Commercial Pilot Licence/Instrument Rating (CPL(A)/IR) is gone for after successfully passing the theoretical knowledge examinations and rating flights the pilot-trainees receive.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 4 years
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Aug 2020
Study Type: Campus
Course Private Pilot License (P.P.L)
Cretan Eagle Aviation
Heraklion, Greece
Included are at least 45 hours of flight training. Candidates additionally need to pass 9 written exams, and a flight skill test at the end of the course which is among the courses to study to become a Pilot.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 45 – 100 hours
Teaching Language: English
Study Type: Campus & Online
Course Integrated Professional Pilot Program (IPPP)
Keilir Academy in Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland
This Pilot Program is designed for students with no or limited previous experience. It is a extremely organized and encompassing program that concentrates on our objective of becoming a First Officer with an airline.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 24 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: May 2020
Study Type: Campus
Integrated ATPL with Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC)
Skies Aviation Academy
Thessaloniki, Greece
The EASA Integrated ATPL course is meant for students from zero flying experience up to a frozen ATPL in about 12 to 14 months, by getting through with this program you will be qualified to work as a First Officer with an airplane company.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 12 – 14 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Private Pilot License
Avel Flight School
West Chicago, USA +1 More
This License permits you to be Pilot in Command of an aircraft for any non-commercial purpose and is also the first step towards getting your Commercial Pilot License and later an airline job. This license also affords you the privilege to operate charity flights subject to some restrictions, and may take part in similar activities, such as Angel Flight, Civil Air Patrol and etc.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 6 – 8 weeks
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Course in EASA Integrated Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter)
Bristow Academy
Titusville, USA +1 More
This flight license program is meant for students wishing to obtain employment within the European flight market.
Pace: Full-time
Duration: 12 months
Teaching Language: English
Start Date: Sep 2020
Study Type: Campus
Scholarships for Pilot Training
Now, if you’re looking for fully sponsored flight training programs through scholarships or training aids, then stick around a while. World Scholarship Forum has put together a list of fully sponsored pilot training program(s), through Pilot training Scholarships for Pilot Students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Becoming a Pilot takes 3 months to earn your private pilot license. To become a pilot, it takes only over two years to obtain the required 1,500 hours flight time.
According to the report by The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a Commercial Pilot is $77,200yearly. The lowest-paid 10 percent of Commercial Pilotsearn $39,430, while the highest-paid 10 percent earn beyond $147,240 yearly.
There’s variation in the total cost for training and this id dependent on how well students do in their courses. On average, most students go from having not even an experience to earning a CPL with instructor ratings in 1 year. The cost likewise differs depending on a numeral of factors. On average, the cost is about $70,000.
The amount of non-flying time is properly predictable, and is commensurate to flying time, so, the pilots receive their pay a little more for the flying time than they might otherwise. Pilots for mainline United States airlines get a high hourly rate for flight time.
Yes, it is absolutely worth it
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