The typical timeline for someone with no flight experience to become an airline pilot is 3 to 4 years. Some can do it in 2 years and other part timers do it in 4 to 5 years. So, the timeline range is 2 to 5 years and it’s up to you to find the timeline that best fits you.
To become an airline pilot, you must also have a bachelor's degree in any subject to work for the major airlines and at least an associate degree to work for a regional airline.
If you’re a recent high school graduate and you’re looking to get your bachelor's degree, you can combine a 4-year degree with pilot training all the way up to becoming an airline pilot. The 4-year degree program offers you a bachelor’s degree in aviation management or aviation science at select universities. You’ll also get pilot training starting with the Private Pilot and all the way up to the Instructor rating. These schools have airline sponsors that place you in their airline pilot program and upon graduation, you’re off to the airline working as an airline pilot.
BEWARE OF PART 141 FLIGHT SCHOOLS PROMISING YOU AN AIRLINE CAREER
There are many Part 141 flight schools that will get you to the airlines in 2 years with no previous flight experience. These part 141 flight schools have financing or help you with financing to fund your training. Again, a word of caution, even though part 141 flight schools seem obviously the way to go, it’s not for everyone and there are many pitfalls associated with these schools.
For instance, if you decide not to pursue flight training, you’re stuck with instant debt that must be paid back soon. Also, most of these schools are considered pilot mills whose mission is to get as many people as possible into the training funnel without caring if you will succeed in their training. So consequently, many people drop out because of the intense training environment that’s not conducive to a person’s well-being.
The zero hours to airline pilot in 2 years requires full time studying and flight training with little time for anything else including a social life. It’s also not good if you’re newly married because your attention will be placed on training and not your spouse.
Many of these schools put students through intenseense training pressure where they must pass constant stage checks within a predefined time period or risk being dropped from the school. This is not the way to train. Every student is different and learns at a different pace. So, finding programs or flight schools that adapt to your learning and lifestyle is the best.
FIND FLIGHT SCHOOLS THAT CATER TO YOU
That’s why finding a good flight instructor and flight school that caters to teaching at your pace is the best way to train. Many of these flight schools are your local neighborhood part 61 flight schools. Unfortunately, these schools don’t qualify for federal loans and therefore you must fund your training on your own through savings, income, scholarships and private loans. You’ll have a better training experience learning at a local flying club or local flight school with good flight instructors that you enjoy flying with.
You’ll find better flight instructors at your local flight school rather than some young, newly licensed flight instructor at a popular Part 141 flight school. The instructors at your local flight school tend to have much more training experience and can customize your training to fit your schedule. This is not true at Part 141 flight schools. These schools have great training equipment and very good structure but have very rigid training processes with a one size that fits all training experience. To make matters worse, you are learning from very inexperience flight instructors whose sole purpose is to get to the airline within the next 12 months.
EVALUATE EVERY POTENTIAL FLIGHT SCHOOL AND SELECT THE SCHOOL AND TRAINING PROGRAM THAT FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE
Evaluate every flight school. Go online and read their reviews from other students. Examine your life. Can you pursue flight training full-time? Do you have the funds to train full-time? Do you have to work? Do you have a family to take care of? Are you willing to put all your disposable income into flying for the next several years. Is training part time a better option for you?
These are the sacrifices you must make to determine the proper timeline. Many students work or go to school and pay as they go each week, taking as many lessons as they can afford. This is a good approach because you will typically have a good instructor that you’re familiar with and you won’t be in heavy debt after completing your training.
3 TO 4 YEARS IS YOUR TYPICAL TIMELINE TO THE AIRLINES
The typical timeline to the airline is 3 to 4 years starting with no experience. Take your time getting the Private Pilot License and first determine if flying is truly something you want to do. This is your most important and critical license because it sets in motion the rest of your flying career. Don’t go into debt for the Private Pilot License. Should you decide that a flying career is not for you, you won’t be saddled with debt !
START TRAINING AT YOUR LOCAL FLIGHT SCHOOL OR FLYING CLUB
Most local flight schools have excellent instructors and programs for Private Pilots. A good instructor and flight school will deepen your desire to pursue flying but a poor instructor will make you wish you never step foot in a training aircraft. It’s important to have a good first experience as a Private Pilot.
From there, you can use the same instructor or a recommended instructor from the same flight school to work on your Instrument and Commercial rating. Getting your ratings in flight schools that you are familiar with makes all the difference in your ability to become a professional pilot. Secure the financing in advance before training.
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