Spoiler Alert: With the right plan and dedication, you can go from zero flight experience to a regional airline pilot in as little as 2 to 3 years—no military service required.
From Zero to Flight Instructor in 18 Months? Yes, It’s Possible.
If you've ever dreamed of becoming an airline pilot and flying around the world, this might surprise you: You can start with absolutely no flight experience and be working as a certified flight instructor in just over a year and a half. Teach for another year while building hours—and boom—you’re eligible to apply for a regional airline pilot job.
That’s a fast track few people talk about… but it’s real.
The Military Route: Long, Uncertain, and Competitive
Some aspiring pilots look to the military as their training path. While it's respected and government-funded, it comes with serious trade-offs:
10 to 12 years of service before qualifying for a civilian airline job
Extremely competitive entry requirements
No guarantee of being accepted or completing the pilot training program
Zero flexibility—you train with who you're assigned and follow strict timelines
The Civilian Route: Fast, Flexible, and Proven
Now compare that with the civilian path:
Choose your own school and instructor
Start training immediately—no waiting lists or boot camps
Retake FAA exams if needed—no career-ending flunks
Accelerate your timeline to 2 years (or 3 at a comfortable pace)
Your journey starts with the Private Pilot License, then moves to your Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine Ratings. In about 3 more months, you can become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and start earning money while building your flight time.
Real Talk: It’s Not Easy—But It’s Totally Doable
Let’s be honest: the journey is fast—but not without its challenges. You’ll face:
Important decisions about which flight school and instructor to choose
Learning the language of aviation and ATC communication
Avoiding training delays, poor instruction, and wasted money
But here's the good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Let Us Guide You: Enroll in the Airline Pilot Fast Track Online Course
In our program, you’ll learn:
How to choose the right school and instructor How to build your training roadmap (2-year, 3-year, or custom) How to avoid common pitfalls that derail most student pilots How to save thousands in training costs by making smart decisions
Start with the Most Important License: Your Private Pilot License
This is your first true test—and your first taste of the sky. You’ll learn to:
Fly in controlled airspace
Talk to Air Traffic Control like the pros
Navigate real-world aviation challenges
Discover whether flying is truly your calling
It’s challenging, yes—but also thrilling and unforgettable. And it sets the stage for your entire career.
Ready to Fast-Track Your Training?
Take our Private Pilot in 4 Months course and learn how to:
Cut through confusion
Save time and money
Pick the right instructor
Build confidence and momentum
Taught by veteran flight instructor Dan Burley, who brings 30+ years of aviation training experience, this course gives you a proven path—without the costly trial and error.
The Bottom Line
No, it does not take a long time to become an airline pilot—if you know what you’re doing. With the right training, smart decisions, and expert guidance, you could be in the right seat of a regional airline jet in just 2–3 years.
Let’s make your pilot dream real. 
[Enroll in our Fast Track Pilot Course today]
