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As is the case with most careers, the pathway to becoming a professional pilot is a unique one.
From the most experienced pilots captaining major airlines across the globe to recreational pilots enjoying weekend trips with their families, each person follows their own individual journey to the sky.
While every path is different, each newly-acquired skill, certificate, and rating also comes with a fresh set of goals, regulations, and intricacies to comb through and abide by.
Recent forecasts have predicted that over the next 10 years 300,000 professional pilots will be needed to support the aviation industry globally. So there perhaps has never been a more important time than now to understand what it takes to make money flying—from the modern licensing process, number of required hours for certifications and ratings, costs, and current FAA and industry standards.
Part 61 vs. Part 141
On the way to becoming a professional pilot, before any certificates or ratings can be achieved, a prospective student must decide under what curriculum they are going to pursue for training—FAA Part 61 or Part 141.
Both are references to parts of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the regulatory framework that guides the aeronautics and space industry.
Part 61 simply outlines the requirements for pilot certifications and ratings. Any FAA-certified instructor can train students under Part 61 as long as they adhere to qualifications that have been established, such as the requisite hours and demonstrated skill required for each license.
Part 141 creates the regulations surrounding FAA-certified flight schools. Under Part 141, training facilities follow a strict FAA-approved curriculum conducted at an agency-approved training facility.
All flight schools certified under Part 141 can be found here.
Which route a prospective student chooses to take when selecting between the two depends completely on circumstance.
Part 61 training is a more instructor-driven approach, and training is able to be completed around a schedule. Part 141 training is a more structured environment, akin to a more traditional degree pathway at a university. Because of the more closely regulated approach, those undergoing Part 141 training are required to log fewer hours to be eligible for a check ride on most certificates.
It’s important to note that no matter which training method, both ultimately achieve the same certifications.
After deciding which training method to pursue, the actual process of training to fly and racking up hours and certifications can begin. Below are the steps each person must take along the way to become a professional pilot.
Student Pilot Certificate
This is the official starting point of an aviation career, essentially functioning as a “learner’s permit” for the sky.
Before a solo flight in an aircraft, prospective students must apply for this certificate through the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website. The process involves a background check and verification by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or an FAA representative to ensure the eligible criteria is met, such as being at least 16 years old and proficient in English.
Private Pilot License (PPL)
The private pilot license is the foundational certificate for all future flying, granting flight in single-engine aircraft and the ability to carry passengers legally.
The process combines ground school—where aviation theory, weather, and navigation are learned—with hands-on flight training that covers maneuvers, emergency procedures, and radio communication.
- Flight hours: Minimum of 40 hours (Part 61) or 35 hours (Part 141)
- Requirements: Complete ground school, pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test, or written test, and the FAA check ride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
Instrument Rating (IR)
While technically a rating rather than a stand-alone license, the instrument rating (IR) is a critical step for professional pilots because it allows them to fly in low-visibility conditions under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The training focuses heavily on navigation solely by reference to aircraft instruments, requiring significant precision and multitasking abilities.
- Flight hours: Requires 50 hours of cross-country flight, with at least 40 hours of flight, simulated or actual, in particular areas of operation, and at least 15 hours of training from an IFR instructor
- Requirements: Complete IFR ground school and pass the FAA Instrument Rating aeronautical written exam and IFR check ride.
Commercial Pilot Certificate (Single and Multi-Engine)
At this point, upon completion of a commercial pilot license (CPL), one would technically be considered a professional pilot that can receive compensation for flights.
Most pilots first earn their Commercial Single-Engine Land (CSEL) rating to master complex aircraft operations and precision maneuvers, then immediately add the Commercial Multi-Engine Land (CMEL) rating.
Some of the commonly performed jobs by CPL holders are aerial surveying, banner towing, or serving as second in command (SIC) for Part 135 charter operations.
- Flight hours: Requires 250 total flight hours (Part 61) or 190 hours (Part 141), with 100 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time, 20 hours of technically advanced training (TAA), and 10 hours of solo training.
- Requirements: Requires passing the Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) written exam and a check ride for both CSEL and CMEL ratings
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
While optional, becoming a CFI is the most common pathway to build the 1,500 hours required to fly for the airlines. Many Part 141 schools hire back graduates as CFIs as they continue to log hours.
- Requirements: Pass the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) and Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) written tests, participate in CFI ground school, and pass an extensive check ride.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
The ATP certificate is the highest level of pilot certification. Once completed, a pilot can then serve on a commercial airliner or captain charter flights.
- Flight hours: Requires 1,500 total flight hours, including 500 hours of cross-country time, 100 hours of nighttime, 50 hours in the class of airplane for the rating, 75 hours of instrument time, and 250 hours of time as PIC
- Requirements: Pass the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP), an advanced course along with simulator training.
Time and Cost
Pursuing a specialized kind of work like flying takes a considerable amount of time and financial resources to achieve.
For those who choose to go the Part 141 route, the decision is more costly but typically results in a much faster way to achieve professional pilot status. Universities can in some cases charge up to $120,000 or more to enroll in their programs, though the structured setup—regularly flying five to seven times per week—allows students to obtain their CPL in roughly six to eight months.
Part 61 training tends to be the cheaper option, but again, depending on the pace the student is able to train, completion time may vary. For example, if a particular schedule only allows for flight training on the weekends, or two flights per week, it would take around 12-18 months for someone to reach their CPL.
Estimates put the average cost of becoming a professional pilot through Part 61 training at around $30,000-40,000 to reach 250 hours.
While the path may seem daunting, once the status of professional pilot is secured it can lead to some of the most fulfilling careers.
