How To Become A Professional Flight Pilot

by Willette Francis

Ever dream of soaring at 30,000 feet among the clouds? Well, with the right training and education, your dream can be a reality with a career in professional flight. From commercial or airline pilot to aircraft dispatcher, professional flight training will give you the tools to have a rewarding and successful career. With the proper training and certifications, this is a career where the sky is - literally - the limit.

How do I become a pilot?
There are small airlines that will employ high school graduates but most airlines want college graduates or candidates who have completed at least a two-year degree program. Most of the pilots employed with airlines have college degrees; this increase in applicants who already hold a college degree has made having a degree a requirement to be a pilot.
In addition to educational requirements, you also need to have flight experience to receive a pilot's license. Flight experience can be achieved by completing flight school courses. Attending an FAA-approved flight school can reduce the amount of flight experience needed for a pilot's license. Pilot training includes a week of introduction to the company, three to six weeks simulator and ground training, and 25 hours of operating experience. Once trained, pilots go through additional training, once or twice a year, throughout the remainder of their career.

After a pilot's training has been completed, they are now ready for FAA Licensure. To qualify for licensure, you must be 18 years of age or older with 250 hours of flight experience. You must pass a physical exam to ensure you are in great health to perform your duties as a pilot, which includes an eye exam to test for 20/20 vision and a test for good hearing. You must also be free of any physical limitations that will interfere with your job performance. Applicants also have to pass a written test about the rules, regulations, and safe flying. There are additional requirements and testing needed to fly in low visibility situations and to be an airline pilot. Airline pilots have to obtain an airline transport pilot's license, be at least 23 years old for licensure, and have at least 1,500 hours of flying experience, including night and instrument flying.
What will I learn in flight school?
Professional flight courses include private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot-single engine, commercial pilot-multi-engine, and courses for flight instructor. A private pilot course consists of FAA part 141or part 61, 20 hours of dual flight training in a Cessna 152 or 172, 15 hours of solo flight practice in a Cessna 152 or 172, and 20 hours of ground instruction; instrument training courses include FAA part 141 or part 61, 35 hours of dual flight training in a Cessna 152 or Cessna 172, 15 hours of dual training in an Elite PCADT Simulator, and 25 hours of ground instruction. Each professional flight course requires that you complete a certain amount of in-flight training along with ground and simulator training. Researching professional flight school courses will help you find the school that is perfect for you.