- High School Diploma or Equivalent: Take college-preparatory courses, math, science, and English.

- Bachelor’s Degree: Aeronautical Science/Aviation or a related field from an accredited college.

- Flight Training: Complete a flight training program at a certified flight school, earn hour requirements with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), solo, and pass a check ride for your Private Pilot’s Certificate.

Prerequisites

- Age: Must be at least 18 years old to receive a Private Pilot’s License, 21 years old for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, and 23 to be an airline pilot for a major airline.

- Vision: Minimum corrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye. Near vision must be 20/40 or better in each eye.

- Hearing: No significant hearing loss.

- Medical: Able to obtain at least a third-class medical certificate.

Experience

- Total Flight Hours: 1,000+ flight hours, including night flying and instrument flight time, for most airline jobs.

- Multi-Engine Time: Minimum 50 hours for ATP Certificate; 25 hours for regional airlines and cargo operations.

- Simulated Instrument Training: Minimum of 40 hours for an instrument rating.

- Cross-Country: Minimum of 50 hours as pilot in command (PIC)

Licenses

- Private Pilot Certificate (PPL): Pass written, oral, and flight tests. Solo, 40 flight hours, 10 of which must be with an instructor.

- Instrument Rating: Pass written, oral, and flight tests. 50 hours of cross-country flight time (10 hours actual or simulated instrument time).

- Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL): Pass written, oral, and practical exams. 250 flight hours (of which 100 are PIC), 50XC, and 10 at night.

- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate: Pass written, oral, and practical tests. 1,500 flight hours, 500 of which must be PIC, 100XC (night), 75 instrument, and 25 actual or simulated instrument time.

Certifications

- First Officer Initial Flight Training (FOIFT): After being hired, newly hired pilots must complete this airline’s training program.