For many aspiring professional pilots, “becoming an airline captain is the pinnacle of a career,” says Mark Haley, chair of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Education Committee and first officer for a major airline. Small wonder. “You get a window office, you’re flying airplanes and traveling the world,” says professor Martin Rottler, chair of the University Aviation Association’s (UAA’s) Flight Education Committee and lecturer at Ohio State University’s Center for Aviation Studies. Meanwhile, “airlines across the board are experiencing pilot shortages they’ve never seen,” says Danielle Calnin, director of Airline Business Development at training specialist Airline Transport Professionals. The three outlined the route to the left seat of an airliner cockpit.
How to Become an Airline Captain
Key Takeaways:
- Aspiring airline captains must obtain specific certifications (ATP, commercial, instrument, multiengine, first-class medical), ideally hold a four-year degree, and often train through Part 141 flight programs, many of which partner with airlines.
- The career progression typically involves accumulating 1,000-1,500 flight hours (often through flight instructing or entry-level jobs), gaining experience at regional airlines, and then applying to major carriers.
- To enhance hiring chances, prospective pilots should engage in leadership activities, join aviation organizations, leverage military experience, and carefully select an airline based on growth and career advancement opportunities.
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