Becoming a pilot can take some time to take off. But, if you are determined to learn to fly the runway is clear. There are very defined steps to getting your pilots license. So, how long does it take to become a pilot?
How long it takes to learn to fly a plane depends on what kind of pilots license you want (there are several) and the quality of your flight school. Having access to flight hours and certified instruction is a crucial part of passing exams and requirements.
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking to the skies as a pilot, you may be wondering – how long does it really take to make that dream a reality? The training process to become a certified pilot takes dedication, but going from aviation beginner to seasoned aviator is completely achievable
In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of the pilot training timeline. You’ll learn
- The different certificates and ratings you need
- Minimum flight hour requirements
- The standard timeline for completing each phase
- Options for full-time accelerated programs
- Cost considerations for flight training
- The career paths and salaries for pilots
Whether you’re looking to fly recreationally or make aviation your profession, understanding the basic flight training timeline helps you set expectations and work towards your pilot goals. Let’s get started!
Getting Your Private Pilot Certificate
The very first step to becoming a pilot is earning your private pilot certificate. This allows you to fly a small aircraft with passengers, but not for hire.
Minimum requirements:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Pass TSA security threat assessment
- Obtain FAA medical certificate
- Have at least 40 hours of flight time
- Complete ground school training
- Pass written knowledge test
- Pass practical skills exam with FAA examiner
For most people starting with zero flight experience, it takes about 3 months of full-time training to go from beginner to private pilot. Knocking out the flight lessons intensively allows you to get up to speed and meet the minimum hours as efficiently as possible.
Taking a more casual approach with just a few lessons per week can stretch the timeline closer to 6-12 months. The faster pace of concentrated full-time training is often preferred by those with professional piloting goals.
Adding an Instrument Rating
After earning a private pilot certificate, the next typical step is getting an instrument rating. This allows you to legally fly in low visibility conditions using your aircraft’s instruments.
Minimum requirements:
- Hold private pilot certificate
- Have at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time
- Complete 40 hours of instrument flight training
- Pass knowledge exam and practical test
Obtaining the instrument rating usually takes about 2-3 months for full-time students. The main components are completing the required flight hours and passing the written and practical exams.
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Once you have your private certificate down, you can move on to commercial pilot training. This advanced certification allows you to get paid as a pilot.
Minimum requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold private pilot license
- Have at least 250 hours total time
- Complete specified training hours
- Pass knowledge and practical tests
Going from private to commercial pilot typically takes around 3 months of intensive full-time training. In addition to flight hours, you’ll learn advanced aeronautical knowledge and skills required of professional pilots.
Many commercial students choose to combine their training with a certified flight instructor (CFI) rating as well. This allows you to teach others while building flight experience.
Becoming a CFI adds about 2 months of additional study and flight training. Combining the CFI and commercial pilot ratings can help you quickly get to the experience levels needed for an airline career.
Building Hours for Airline Pilots
Major airlines require at least 1,500 hours of flight time to qualify for employment. For aspiring airline pilots, it’s essential to continue building hours after commercial certification.
Some options for accumulating hours after completing commercial training include:
- Working as a flight instructor
- Flying for charters, corporate operations or regional airlines
- Flying humanitarian or pilot charity missions
- Joining aviation clubs with access to aircraft
There are also accelerated hour-building programs that partner with regional airlines to structure flight time and facilitate interviews.
The timeframe to airline eligibility depends on your flight schedule. Flying full-time can mean hitting 1,500 hours in about a year. Those able to fly part-time might take 2-3 years to build sufficient hours.
The Standard Training Timeline
While the path can be tailored to each student, here is an overview of the standard full-time training timeline from zero time to airline eligible:
- Private pilot certificate: 2-3 months
- Instrument rating: 1-2 months
- Commercial pilot certification: 2-3 months
- Certified flight instructor rating: 2 months
- Build to 1,500 hours: 12-24 months
Total to airline eligible: Under 2 years for full-time accelerated programs
This direct flight training path allows ambitious pilots to go from beginner to airline ready in well under 2 years. Taking additional time and flying at a more casual pace is also common.
Costs and Time Commitment of Flight Training
Two major factors that influence to timeline are the cost of flight training and the time commitment involved.
Full-time accelerated programs maximize efficiency but require significant financial investment. All-in costs for guided zero-to-airline training can reach up to $70,000 or more.
Working on a part-time schedule brings down costs through slower progression. But it also extends the total time commitment.
Scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, and pilot loans can help offset training costs. But sacrificing income and free time for full-time study remains challenging for some.
Ultimately, aligning the time and money requirements of your training with your personal situation is key for success. Know these benchmarks and adjust the timeline as needed.
Career Prospects for Professional Pilots
For many, the investment pays off through access to lucrative professional pilot careers:
- Airline captains earn average salaries over $200,000
- Strong industry growth is forecast, especially with coming retirements
- Thousands of new pilots are needed to meet rising global travel demand
- Pilot supply shortages at airlines mean new opportunities
With airlines facing a projected need for over 200,000 new pilots by 2035, those who take the initiative to complete training will be rewarded. For motivated individuals, the career prospects make the journey well worth it.
Tips for Completing Training Efficiently
If your goal is to qualify as a professional airline pilot as quickly as possible, follow these tips:
✔ Enroll in an accelerated full-time program
✔ Take a structured, all-inclusive training package – no piecing together courses
✔ Train in the best quality aircraft – it’s worth the higher cost
✔ Pick a program with a proven record of placing graduates at airlines
✔ Get experience in glass cockpit planes used by major airlines
✔ Combine certifications like commercial and CFI for quicker hours
✔ Take loans or apply for scholarships if needed to maintain full-time pace
✔ Be realistic on income impacts – it may require sacrifice in the short term
✔ Stay focused – establish a clear timeline and work to stick close to it
Committing to an intensive program gives you the quickest path to a successful piloting career.
Making Your Pilot Dreams Take Flight
Becoming a pilot takes dedication, perseverance, and a substantial time commitment. But for those passionate about aviation, it’s a deeply rewarding journey.
Understanding the step-by-step training timeline, costs, and career prospects allows you to make informed decisions. Define your pilot goals, make a plan, and take it step by step.
At each milestone – from your first solo flight to the day you take to the skies as an airline captain – take pride in how far your effort and skills have carried you. Enjoy the thrill of making your aviation dreams reality.
The view is clearest from the pilot’s seat. Chart your course, prepare for takeoff, and let your pilot training adventure begin!
Frequently Asked Questions on Training Timelines
If you’re still wondering about the details of how long it takes to become a pilot, here are answers to some common questions:
How long does it take to get a private pilot license?
Most people earn their private pilot certificate in about 3 months of full-time concentrated flight training. Part-time training stretches the timeline closer to 6-12 months.
What is the fastest way to build flight hours?
Becoming a flight instructor allows you to log hours while getting paid and building experience. Accelerated hour-building programs are another fast option.
Can you become an airline pilot in 2 years?
Yes, full-time accelerated programs allow motivated students to go from zero time to 1,500 hours in as little as 18-24 months. This intensive timeline requires commitment.
How long does CFI training take?
The certified flight instructor rating typically adds around 2 months for full-time students who already have their commercial license.
How many hours a week should you fly?
For accelerated timelines, most full-time programs have students flying 20-40 hours weekly. Part-time options range from 5-15 hours per week.
What is the fastest way to 1,500 hours?
Combining full-time flight instructor work with additional hour-building techniques like
How long does it take to become a pilot?
Starting off right is important for a pilot. Taking shortcuts or attending a subpar flight school can lead you to bad habits and put you and your passengers in danger. Even if you are presently only looking to become a private pilot, getting a complete education will prepare you best. Ideally, becoming a pilot should only take 3 to 4 years, the time it takes to get your Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight. Getting an education is also good for a consistency of training, so its preferred to wait to start your journey until you are in a certified school, like LETU.
During your pilot training, you will learn ground and flight knowledge. At LETU, youll also get a deeper understanding of the mechanics and business that you will rely on every time you take off.
To become a student pilot, you have to get instruction from a certified instructor and pass the FAA Student Pilot knowledge tests. How long it takes depends on the program, but you will have to meet these requirements:
- 16+ years old
- Third-class FAA Medical Certificate
- English fluency
- A valid drivers license
- Passing the FAA knowledge tests for student pilots
- Approval by an FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA Inspector
- Acknowledgment that you cannot take passengers with a student certificate
How long it takes to get your student pilot certificate is not a set number of hours. Your instructor will give you an endorsement that allows you to fly solo when you have mastered these basic maneuvers:
- Safe takeoffs
- Safe landings
- Maintaining positive control of the aircraft
- Demonstrate consistently good judgment and safety
Once you have proven your adeptness to an authorized flight instructor, they will give you a logbook endorsement for solo flight. You have to make your first flight within 90 days of the endorsement. It will take about 3 weeks for the FAA to issue your certification once youve met all the requirements.
Your student pilot certificate will only be valid for 2 years.
You have to have a student pilot certificate and log 20 hours of flight time before you can be certified as a sport pilot. This certification allows you to fly an aircraft that is:
- Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
- 51mph max landing configuration
- 138mph max straight and level flying
- No more than 2 seats
- Fixed pitch or ground adjustable propeller
- Fixed landing gear
In addition, sport pilots cannot fly:
- After dark
- In controlled airspace
- Outside the US without specific permission from that country
- Above 10,000 feet
- With passengers
- In visibility less than 3 miles
- In an LSA that goes more than 100mph without training
- Property for pay
A recreational pilot certificate has more restrictions than a private pilot certificate. You have to be at least 17 years old and have a sport or student certificate. In addition, youll need to log 30 hours of flight time. 15 of those hours must be training.
Unlike a private pilot certification, a recreational pilot cannot:
- Fly further than 50 nautical miles from the airport where their training occurred
- Fly in any airspace where communication with air traffic control is required
- Fly at night
- Have no more than 4 seats in the plane
- Earn money from flying
- Fly more than 1 passenger
The tradeoff for the restrictions is that you can get in the air quicker than you can with a private pilot certificate.
A private pilot certificate requires that you first complete your student pilot certificate. Once you have that, a private pilot license only requires:
- Valid driver license
- Minimum of 35 varied flight hours, including night training
- Passing FAA knowledge and practical tests
- Third class FAA Medical Certificate
A private pilot license allows you to fly passengers and most airplanes. However, you cannot be hired or paid for flights.
A commercial pilot, as you might guess, requires a much higher standard of knowledge and training. Commercial pilots are able to fly professionally. While pilot schools cost money, the benefits of a Bachelors in Professional Flight truly shows here. It may take longer to get your license if you have acquired bad habits or poor knowledge.
The standards for a commercial pilot certificate are rigorous. You must:
- Be 18+ years old
- Have a second-class FAA Medical Certificate
- Have a private pilot certificate
- Be a fluent English speaker
- Pass the training and log hours for single-/multi-engine land class rating requirements
- 150 to 250 hours of piloting time
- Pass an aeronautics written test of 100 questions
- Pass FAA oral and flight tests by FAA Inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor
While you can be paid for flying, this license does not let you fly passengers for hire. You can fly for crop dusting, cargo, aerial photography, or other vocations.
What kinds of pilot licenses are there?
There are several types of pilots:
- Student Pilot
- Sport Pilot
- Recreational Pilot
- Private Pilot
- Commercial Pilot
- Airline Transport Pilot
Each takes a different amount of time and has various requirements to fill. So, well break it down by type.
