Is Pilot School Hard?
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The idea of taking off to the skies as a pilot is a world only known to a few. While being a pilot isn’t as rare as it used to be, it still isn’t commonplace to know how to fly a plane. Some may want to learn as a leisure activity or hobby— while others want to become a pilot as an occupation. To become a career pilot, there are quite a few steps and licenses that you’ll need. By learning what licenses and the steps you’ll need to take, you can have an understanding of just how hard it is to become a pilot.
Is Learning to Fly Hard?
Most pilots will tell you that flying isn’t hard. However, becoming a pilot can be very difficult. The easiest path to becoming a pilot is to acquire a sport pilot certificate. In order to be eligible, you’ll need an FAA medical and student pilot certificate. This will usually be done by an aviation medical examiner, that has been approved by the FAA, and is legally allowed to administer the exam.
However, if you have a U.S driver’s license, you can exercise the sport pilot rule and fly light aircraft without a medical exam. This is just to be eligible. Now let’s look into what you’ll have to do to earn a sport’s pilot license.
Sports Pilot Certificate Requirements
In order to receive a sports pilot certificate, you’ll still have to put some time in. The bare requirements are:
- Minimum of 20 hours of flight-instruction time, 15 with FAA-authorized instructor
- Five hours of solo flight and two hours of cross-country flight
- Log 10 takeoffs and landings
- One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of two airports.
- Ground training from an instructor
There are other requirements for earning a sport pilot certificate, such as the FAA written knowledge test. The Sports pilot certificate also comes with a lot of restrictions. This is the pilot certificate that takes the least amount of time, and it still demands that you study hard and put hours in flying.
The next certificate, a private pilot certificate, takes a minimum of 40 hours of training. For those looking to become a commercial pilot, a private pilot certificate is the first step.
Becoming a Commercial Pilot
Becoming a commercial pilot is not an easy task and will take proper guidance. Unlike the sports pilot certificate, becoming eligible to become a commercial pilot, and then get hired to an airline, takes a lot of work and certificates. Here are the steps to becoming a commercial pilot.
Get a Private Pilot certificate
- Getting your private pilot certificate involves learning the basics and as you begin to establish the foundation for more advanced aircraft operation. At this stage, it’s common for pilots to start learning on single-engine planes, and then later moving on to larger and more complex aircraft.
- To acquire this certificate, you can expect around 60 hours of training. Training typically consists of 40 hours of instruction with a flight instructor and 20 hours of solo flight.
Acquire an instrument rating
- Next is acquiring an instrument rating. An instrument rating is a set of qualifications a pilot should have that will allow them to fly by only by referring to instruments—not using their vision. Pilot’s will commonly fly through clouds and have their vision obstructed, which makes this an important step. It also allows pilots to operate aircraft in any weather. Earning an instrument rating will also require basic knowledge of meteorology.
Obtain a commercial pilot license
- At this stage pilots will need to meet specific requirements to become a commercial airline pilot plus, fly a high-standard aircraft for 10 hours or more to obtain a license.
- You can expect to log 250 or more flight hours, 100 hours as pilot-in-command, and 50 hours of cross-country flight.
- This also allows you to be paid for flying.
Secure a flight instructor certificate
- Commercial pilots will want to get a flight instructor certificate. Becoming a certified flight instructor (CFI) will allow you to qualify for certain positions and will allow you employment opportunities while you earn experience.
Gain experience
- Flying experience will be a requirement for most commercial positions. Hours can vary based on employment; however, all commercial pilots will need a Transport Pilot license, which requires having a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying time.
Gain work as a commercial pilot.
- After obtaining your licenses and meeting the minimum flight hour requirements, you will then be able to fly for an airline as a commercial pilot.
Flight School
By now you can tell that becoming a pilot can be a hard, but rewarding task. It’s a career that can pay very well and you become part of a world that few get to participate in. Many will need the proper guidance however to get there, and that’s where flight school and career programs come in. Oftentimes, flight schools and career programs will have the resources you need to get on the fast track to becoming a commercial pilot.
J.A. Flight Career Pilot Program
J.A. Flight offers a career pilot program to cater to different students. Choose from two unique career path programs for students out of high school to people looking for a career change with an accelerated training program. Become a commercial airline pilot in as little as 300 hours! J.A. Flight Training is committed to helping graduates of our program further their professional pilot careers and find placement for them upon completion. Regardless of your experience, J.A. Flight will provide the fastest path to becoming a commercial airline pilot. Learn more here!
Are you ready to begin earning your piloting license? If now is the time for you to start flight school, start looking at the next steps! J.A. Flight training is conveniently based in Chicago’s western suburbs. No matter which career path you follow, you can count on experiential learning with the most up-to-date equipment, flight simulators, and aircrafts available. Contact us today to get started!
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