General Information

To earn money as a pilot, you need a commercial pilot certificate. For this you have to pass commercial pilot ground school and log a minimum of 250 flight hours, which include time dedicated to certain conditions and maneuvers. After passing written ground school test, you need to pass a check-ride and receive a first- or second-class medical certificate, an instrument rating and a multi-engine rating. For obtaining a medical certificate you must meet the health and fitness requirements for a pilot. An instrument rating you receive by passing instrument ground school, logging a certain amount of instrument flight time (flying without visibility) and passing an instrument rating check-ride. To fly planes with multiple engines (most of the planes in commercial use), you need to have take lessons and pass a multi-engine check-ride.

Airline transport pilot certificate is the highest pilot certificate, which allows you to operate (be a captain of) a large commercial aircraft. It requires passing a written test, obtaining a first-class medical certificate, possessing a high school graduate degree and having 1,500 flight hours in your logbook (including 250 hours as the pilot in command).

To be hired you need flight experience and a vacant position on the job market. Your level of experience is based on the number and complexity of aircraft you have flown, the quantity and complexity of the flying you did (jet or propeller, day or night, local or cross-country, flying with visibility or flying using only instruments, etc.) and which crew positions you've held. Finding the right place on the right time is a matter of good luck.

Education

College education is preferred by most airlines as it shows that you can adjust to a number of difficult tasks and ways of studying. After you have decided to become a pilot, you need to choose between to main ways of studying, namely civilian and military. Each has its pros and cons.

In the civilian colleges you can get a two- or four-year degree course and special training for receiving any kind of pilot certificate depending on your preference. Technical schools is another option to consider, since they prepare you for obtaining a pilot certificate sometimes even in shorter periods of time. After finishing each of the educational institutions, you can work as an instructor and have additionally accumulated certain amount of time teaching others. If you have no real opportunity to go to special college, you can turn to any local flight school. The main disadvantage of civilian institutions is that they charge high fees.