Becoming an airline pilot in two years with no prior experience is an ambitious goal, but it is achievable with a focused plan. Keep in mind, getting to the airline with zero flight experience is like completing your bachelor’s degree in 2 years instead of the traditional 4 years. That means you’ll be studying night and day and you will have little time for anything else other than studying and flight training.

Here’s a roadmap to guide you through the process:

Year 1: Building Basic Flight Skills and LicensesMonth 1-2: Research and Choose a Flight School

Action: Research Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools. Part 141 schools follow a structured syllabus approved by the FAA, while Part 61 offers more flexibility.

Goal: Choose a flight school that meets your needs in terms of cost, location, and time commitment. Consider an accelerated flight training program.

Budget: Approx. $80,000 - $100,000 for full training.

Month 3-7: Start Private Pilot License (PPL) Training

Action: Begin training for your Private Pilot License (PPL). This is the first step toward becoming a professional pilot.
Requirements: Minimum 40 hours of flight time (though most people take closer to 60-70 hours).
Goal: Pass the FAA written exam and checkride to obtain your PPL.
Time Commitment: Full-time students can complete this in 3 - 5 months

Month 8-10: Instrument Rating (IR)

Action: After obtaining your Private Pilot License (PPL), begin training for your Instrument Rating (IR).
Goal: Learn to fly in various weather conditions and solely by reference to instruments. This is a critical skill for airline pilots.
Requirements: Minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command and at least 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument conditions.
Time Commitment: Typically 2-3 months if training full-time.

(OPTIONAL) ENTRY TO A PART 141 PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOOL

At this point, you may consider enrolling in a Part 141 Professional Flight School with an Airline Training Program to start working on the remainder pilot licenses. Many of these flight schools have direct entry programs into the airline but it’s important, first to get the foundation of a Private Pilot License and Instrument Rating before attending these schools.

Personal Opinion – Going the Part 141 Flight School Airline Program route is not recommended until you have at least a Private Pilot License and an Instrument Rating. The risk is not worth it, but some may be OK with the risks. It is better to go the Independent Training Route though you will not be able to acquire federal loans for training. “Pay as You Go” is generally the preferred option.

After finishing your Instrument Rating, the Airline Program at a Part 141 professional flight school will cost you about $80,000. This will get you into the airline around the 2-year time frame. You will continue with the licenses and ratings mentioned below in Continued Independent Training, but the training is focused to get you to the airline more quickly. You will have direct access to many of the popular Part 141 professional flight schools in later lessons.

Part 141 flight schools allow you to get the Commercial Rating at lower minimum hours, 190 vs 250 hours and the ATP license with less hour but with restrictions. The ATP restrictions allow you entry into an airline training program where you will complete the ATP rating at 1500 hours with the airline that hires you. However, please consider the following risks of these programs.

Part 141 (Pilot Mill) Training School Risks (The Promise of Fast Entry into the Airlines) -PROS

Provide a complete funding source for your training through federal loans, grants, private loans and sometimes scholarships
Federal loans for vocational training are only available at Part 141 Flight Schools
Structured program to the airlines
Multiple airline partnerships that will hire you at the conclusion of program
Fast entry with admission counselors to guide you through the process

Part 141 (Pilot Mill) Training School Risks (The Promise of Fast Entry into the Airlines) - CONS

Training is fast paced and rarely makes allowance for students who learn at a slower pace
These schools can discontinue your training at their discretion if they feel you don’t measure up
You will pay 30% to 40% more for aircraft rental and instructor fees
Many of these schools have no interest in your ultimate success and only care about getting as many students in the training funnel as possible. They don’t necessarily care if you fail because there are more students entering the training funnel. It’s a business and it’s all about money and their bottom line
If you wash out (not allowed to continue training due to poor performance), you may be stuck with a large loan due immediately !
Many of these schools (but not all of them) are considered Pilot Mills – Meaning they get as many people in the training funnel as possible and train to a rigid requirement that doesn’t necessarily make you a better pilot.

NOTE: Not all Part 141 Flight Schools are Pilot Mills

Year 1: CONTINUED INDEPENDENT TRAININGMonth 11-13: Research and Choose a Flight School

Action: Begin your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training after you complete your Instrument Rating.
Build 130 plus Flight Hours: 250 is required for this license. Fly multiple cross country (defined as 50 or more nautical miles from original takeoff point) and night flying to obtain at least 230 hours of flight time in 3 months. The remaining 20 hours will come from the Commercial Pilot training. You should already have 110 flight hours from Private Pilot and Instrument rating.
Optional - Multi Engine Rating: This is optional because you can get this rating later but consider getting your Multi Engine Rating during this timeframe. You will eventually need 50 hours of multi-engine time to qualify for the ATP license and airline pilot job. You also need to fly complex single engine aircraft to qualify for the Commercial License, so why not fly a mixture of twin engine and complex single engine as you build the additional 130 hours needed to get to the qualifying 250 hours required for the Commercial License. You eventually will need Multi-Engine Rating and Multi-Engine hours.
Goal: Gain the skills necessary to be compensated for flying.
Requirements: 250 total flight hours, including specific cross-country and night flying.
Time Commitment: 2-3 months of full-time training.

Fast Track Accelerated 2 Year Plan (Year 1)

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