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?

An airline pilot's salary is influenced by various factors, including their employer, experience, and location. As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $211,790 for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. It's important to note that this figure may undergo changes in the future, with some sources projecting a potential increase of 20-40% over the next four years. If you're considering a career in this field, prudent planning and budgeting are advisable.

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

Now is the opportune moment to pursue a career as a pilot, given the increasing job opportunities in the field. Our Pilot School is conveniently located on the JA Air Center campus at Aurora Airport in Chicago, providing an excellent environment for learning to fly in busy airspace, all within close proximity to the city of Chicago.

Thanks to advancements in technology, the process of learning to fly is now more accessible and efficient than ever. However, our school goes beyond mere flight training; it immerses you in the dynamic world of aviation, an industry constantly progressing forward. If becoming a pilot has always been your dream, there's no need to delay. Begin your journey with JA Flight Training today and prepare to take flight.

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