This is one of the most popular and prestigious aviation jobs in the world.
The very first step to becoming a pilot or pursuing any career path I believe is passion. Now that you have your mind and heart in the right place, let's get this lift on.
Before you can commandeer any type of aircraft (Rotor or fixed-wing), you will first need to get a license. Yes, just like a driver’s license, but the training is longer and more rigorous.
Today I will take you through some of the steps you will need to take on your journey towards becoming a pilot. Starting from a student pilot all the way to an airline pilot.
THE STUDENT PILOT LICENSE
You will first find a school that best fits your needs and register. As a trainee, you will need to be above 18 years of age, and you must have completed your basic high school Education.
You will then be needed to take a medical exam administered by an aviation Medical examiner, once cleared by the medical examiner and issued with a class 3 medical certificate, the school will issue your student pilot license. This is the first step toward earning an actual license.
A Student Pilot license authorizes you to take flight instruction from a licensed instructor.
Once you have your student pilot license, you can begin your flight training. You’ll take ground school training and train one-on-one with a flight instructor. Depending on how first you grasp the training you will soon earn your first solo flight and in a short time have your PPL having passed the required written exams and Flight tests.
PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE(PPL)
The PPL license allows you to be able to fly most single-engine airplanes. However, some additional instrument rating tests may be required for more advanced aircraft. This is certainly true if you wish to be rated to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
To obtain your PPL you must:
· Speak and understand English proficiently.
· log a minimum of 40 hours of varied flight time.
· You must pass the written and practical tests. This will take you a period of about 4-6 months.
With a PPL, you will be authorized to fly alone or with other people. However, you may not be paid for flying or taking people on flights.
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE(CPL)
To earn from your piloting gigs, you will need to get a CPL License.
As a CPL, you will also need to get an instrument flight rating (IR) this allows you to be able to fly through inclement weather.
To obtain your CPL, you must:
· Speak and understand English proficiently.
· Log a minimum of 250 hours of varied flight time.
· You will need a current 2nd Class Medical Certificate
· Your Flight Instructor (CFI) must endorse you as a sound pilot.
· You must have passed your ground school courses.
· You must also pass your check-flights with a CAA instructor.
The commercial pilot license (CPL) will now allow you to be paid for your pilot services. If you want to fly a more advanced aircraft, you will need to pass a multi-engine rating.
With your CPL, the opportunities are limitless and you are the one to choose the direction to steer your career. You can become an instructor or an airline pilot, but being one does not restrict you from pursuing the other. As a CPL, the more licenses, and ratings you have, the more options you have.
COMMERCIAL MULTI ENGINE LICENSE (CMEL)
You can add the multi-engine rating to your PPL or CPL. With the CMEL certification, you will be authorized to fly twin-engine aircraft.
To earn this rating, you will be required to fly specific maneuvers in a twin-engine aircraft.
CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI)
A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) license allows you to train student pilots in flying different types of aircraft in different weather conditions.
To become a CFI, you Must:
· Hold an active commercial pilot license (CPL).
· Complete all additional CFI training coursework.
· Pass all additional written CFI exams.
· Complete an instrument (IR) course.
· Pass the additional medical and eye exams.
· Obtain an endorsement from your CFI stating that you have completed learning the basics and fundamentals of how to be a certified flight instructor.
· Log more than 15 hours of Pilot In Command (PIC) time while supervising a student pilot.
· Demonstrate your ability to provide in-depth instruction on spins, spin entry, and spin recovery.
CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR– INSTRUMENT (CFII)
A CFII allows you to teach student pilots who are attempting to earn their Instrument Rating. You will also be authorized to endorse students who are taking IR training to take their oral and practical exams.
To receive CFII training, you must already possess your CPL and instrument rating.
You will have to pass the instrument flight instructor knowledge test and check-off flight.
MULTI ENGINE INSTRUCTOR (MEI)
MEI license certifies you to teach students who want to become certified to fly multi-engine aircraft. MEIs are authorized to endorse multi-engine candidates to take their oral and practical exams.
To take your MEI training, you must have already earned your CPL, additionally, you must take 10 hours of ground school and 10 hours of flight training. As with all ratings, you are required to pass a check ride.
AIRLINE TRANSPORT LICENSE (ATPL)
The ATPL is what you need to fly for the airlines. To become a commercial airline pilot, you must obtain the first two types of pilot licenses (PPL and CPL). After that, you can earn your Airline Transport Pilot License.
To obtain your commercial ATPL, you Must:
Be at least 23 years old.
Pass all tests, exams, and flight exams.
Log more than 1500 hours of flight time
Pass the IR courses and ground school courses.
Pass all medical and eye exams and be of sound body and mind.
Type Ratings
Pilots are required to have additional training beyond their licenses because aircrafts are different. Once you earn your ATPL, An Airline may offer you a First Officer position. Many Airlines have in their fleet different aircraft models, such as the CRJ_900, Embraer, Boeing 737, Boeing 777, and the 787-Dreamliner. They will have to offer you additional training as a newly hired pilots who need to earn his type ratings.
Now that you know the steps you need to take to be a qualified airline or instructor pilot, I wish you the very best in your journey as you dedicate yourself to pursue your dream.
In the weeks I will look into other career paths in aviation that you may find interest in.
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