Airline Career Flight School

Ready For a Career as an Airline Pilot?

Choose Your Starting Point

Routes to Become a Career Airline Pilot

Becoming an airline pilot is a road that starts with getting your Private, Instrument and Commercial Pilot ratings. Once completed with these ratings students typically have 250 - 300 of total flight time. The requirement to fly "jets" is 1500 total hours.... how do you get there?

Our accelerated path to Southern is one way and the other is becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. JA Flight Training offers all Instructor ratings and hires our Instructors from from within.

Airline Pilot Salary:
How Much Do Pilots Make?

In the United States, pilots earn an average annual salary of about $105,928, but this can vary significantly depending on factors like experience, the type of aircraft they operate, and the airline they're employed with. For instance, pilots at major airlines such as Southwest and Delta may see earnings as high as $549,000 and $526,000, respectively.

As of 2022, the median salary for U.S. pilots was $211,790, indicating that half of the pilots earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less. Some pilots at major airlines even had salaries surpassing $700,000 per year.

It's crucial to understand that these income figures can change based on various factors.

Requirements To Become an Airline Pilot

To become an airline pilot, you must first enroll in a school certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You will start by obtaining a private pilot's license and progress to a commercial license while also earning instrument and multi-engine ratings. This requires both ground schooling and many hours of flight time with an instructor.

Once you obtain your commercial license, you can begin flying for paid positions in industries such as agriculture and tourism while working toward your final rating, which allows you to fly for commercial airlines. For those with no prior experience, this process typically takes about two years to complete. However, accelerated programs are available for individuals who already hold a pilot's license.

While a bachelor's degree is not mandatory to become an airline pilot, having one may make you a more competitive candidate. The expectations for pilots vary between airlines, with some requiring more experience as a commercial pilot than others.

How To Choose the Right Flight School

Choosing the right flight school is pivotal as it sets the groundwork for your journey to becoming a professional pilot. If you're exploring flight schools in Illinois, consider J.A. Flight Training, conveniently situated in Sugar Grove near Hoffman Estates, IL, as an outstanding choice for aspiring airline pilots.

J.A. Flight Training takes pride in its exceptional instructors and diverse financial options, ensuring you have the essential resources to pursue your dream of a professional flying career. We are committed to connecting our graduates with job opportunities immediately after completing their training. Whether you're looking to earn a bachelor's degree while training to become a pilot or seeking guaranteed employment upon graduation, our program is tailored to meet your specific needs.

Google Reviews

Achieving and maintaining a consistent record of 5-star reviews demonstrates the school's dedication to delivering top-notch aviation education and creating a supportive environment for students to thrive. 

Love training at Ja flight training. Great people and the best instructors. The airplanes are very well maintained, highly recommend.

Faisal Sweiss