How to Become a Corporate Pilot

Path requires time and hard work, but there are exciting and rewarding career opportunities in the field.

Andrew Chen

Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Many corporate pilots work for charter companies that operate private aircraft. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Corporate aviation offers an alternative pilot career path to airlines, involving flying for non-aviation companies, wealthy individuals, or charter services, with diverse aircraft and travel opportunities.
The journey to becoming a corporate pilot involves obtaining a private, then commercial pilot certificate, followed by accumulating significant flight hours (typically 1,500) and often an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
While initial training costs around $100,000 and requires substantial flight time, corporate pilots can earn competitive salaries, ranging from $70,000-$100,000 for new first officers to over $300,000 for senior captains.

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Beyond the hustle and bustle of a busy airport terminal, there is a whole other world of passenger aviation in our skies. Corporate aircraft and their pilots serve travelers all around the globe each and every day.

Although it is easy to assume that being a pilot means working for an airline, corporate aviation also offers exciting careers for aviators. Corporate pilots have unique opportunities when it comes to their lifestyle, workplace, and travel destinations. Here is what you need to know about becoming a corporate pilot.