Airline Career Pilot Program

Looking 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?

On average, pilots in the United States earn around $105,928 per year. That said, the salary can significantly differ depending on various factors such as the pilot’s experience, the type of aircraft they fly, and the airline they work for. For example, pilots at major airlines like Southwest and Delta can rake in as much as $549,000 and $526,000 respectively.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for U.S. pilots was $211,790 in 2022. This means that half of the pilots earn more than this amount, while the other half earns less. In fact, some pilots working for major airlines even make more than $700,000 per year!

However, it’s crucial to remember that these figures can vary based on a multitude of 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 a crucial first step in your journey to becoming a professional pilot, as it lays the groundwork for your entire career. If you’re on the hunt for flight schools in Illinois, look no further than J.A. Flight Training. Conveniently located in Sugar Grove, just a stone’s throw away from DeKalb, IL, our flight school is a leading choice for those aspiring to become airline pilots.

At J.A. Flight Training, we pride ourselves on our exceptional instructors and diverse financing options, ensuring you have all the tools you need to realize your dream of becoming a professional pilot. We also strive to link our graduates with job opportunities right out of school. Whether you’re aiming to earn your bachelor’s degree while training to be a pilot or looking for guaranteed employment post-graduation, we’ve got a program that fits the bill.

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