Becoming a pilot is a rewarding journey. While challening, it is one of the most exciting and fun certifications a person can achieve. The timeline to learning to fly can vary greatly from school to school and from student to student. The cirriculum, while often similar between differing schools and programs, depends on a variety of factors. These are typically associated with the type of program or flight school the student is enrolled, the specific license sought, as well as how often the student intends to take lessons.
How long does a Private Pilot License take?
The basic license needed to fly recreationally is generally regarded as the Private Pilot License. This certification requires 40 hours of flight training; However, on average, students will need anywhere from 50 to 70 hours to meet necessary proficiencies and satisfy certification requirements. See the chart below for an estimated training timeline based on number of training lessons per week:
Students who take 1 lesson per week (1 hour ground lesson and 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Private Pilot License in a 12 month time frame. This is approximately $250 per week.
Students who take 2 lessons per week (two, 1 hour ground lesson and, two, 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Private Pilot License in a 6 month time frame. This is approximately $500 per week.
Students who take 5 lessons per week (three, 1 hour ground lesson and, three, 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Private Pilot License in a 3 month time frame. This is approximately $800 per week.
Students who commit to a full-time flight training schedule, typically 8am-5pm, can expect to finish their Private Pilot License in a One month time frame. This is estimated at $10,000 typically paid at the start of the course.
How long is Commercial Pilot Training?
To be compensated as a professional pilot, a student will need to go further than the private license to achieve the Commercial Pilot License. This certification requires 250 hours, minimum, of experience when completing under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
Students who take 1 lesson per week (1 hour ground lesson and 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Commercial Pilot License in a 3-4 year time frame. This is approximately $300 per week.
Students who take 2 lessons per week (two, 1 hour ground lesson and, two, 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Commercial Pilot License in a 2 year and 6 month time frame. This is approximately $600 per week.
Students who take 5 lessons per week (three, 1 hour ground lesson and, three, 1 hour flight lesson) can typically expect to finish their Commercial Pilot License in a 1 year and 6 months. This is approximately $800 per week.
Students who commit to a full-time flight training schedule, typically 8am-5pm, can expect to finish their Commercial Pilot License in a One year time frame. This is estimated at $50,000-$75,000 typically paid at the start of the course depending on the Flight school or program.
How long does it take to become an Airline Pilot?
If your dream is to one day fly for a major airline such as Delta, American, or United Airlines, you will need to build experience as a Commercial Pilot before applying to for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Licenses. Under general rules, this license requires 1,500 hours of flight experience. As a Commercially licensed Pilot License you will be allowed to fly professionally; however, pilots are
restricted from acting as a crewmember of a Part 121 air carrier (all major airlines). This means that pilots must gain experience as a pilot in roles such as flying air cargo, flight instructing, or flying for an air tour operator until necessary experience has been achieved for the ATP license. Below describes the training and experience timeline as an example of how long this career progression takes place assuming zero experience to aATP license:
1 year: 250 hours | Complete of Flight Training Requirements up to Commercial Pilot License
6 Months: 250 hours | Achieve Flight Instructor certifications (CFI, CFII) and begin teaching.
1 year 6 months: 1,000 hours | Fly 55 hours per month as a full-time Flight Instructor or obtain employment as a Corporate Charter pilot.
1 year 6 months: 250 hours | Complete flight training requirements up to Commercial Pilot license.
3 years 6 months: fly 42 hours per month as a charter airline pilot until 1,500 hours is achieved.
2 years: 250 hours | Complete Flight training requirements up to Commercial Pilot License.
3 years: 1,250 hours | Fly 35 hours per month as a full-time corporate charter pilot.
3 year: 250 hours | Fly 7 hours per month as a student until completion of Commercial Pilot License.
3 years: 1,250 hours | Fly 35 hours per month as a full-time Flight Instructor or obtain employment as a Corporate Charter pilot.
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