How to Pace Your Flight Training Like a Pro

Friday, August 04, 2023 at 10:40 AM ET

Verified

When discussing the ideal pace of flight training, find a way that works for you, without leaving you exhausted and dreading the days you have to go fly. [Credit: Kenny Eliason/ Unsplash]

Key Takeaways:

Many flight students experience pressure to rush through training due to the perceived "pilot shortage" and narratives of rapid airline hiring, often leading to severe burnout in accelerated programs.
The author suggests that the peak for new pilot hiring at major airlines may be past, and the cyclical nature of the industry means that rushing to achieve early seniority is not a guaranteed path to long-term success.
Instead of a mad rush, aspiring pilots should consider a sustainable training pace and explore diverse aviation sectors beyond major airlines (e.g., corporate, fractional, military), where building qualifications and networks are key to a fulfilling career without early burnout.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Over the last few months, I’ve seen a lot of chatter online about the pace of flight training—both from students who feel theirs is excessive and those bemoaning their perceived slow progress.

I’ve also seen a lot of pilots in accelerated training programs complain about getting severely burned out on flying, often about the time they hit 200 hours (as little as three months in). The major theme underlying both discussions is haste, an almost universal sense that the clock is ticking on the pilot shortage and, if you don’t want to miss out, you’d better grind your butt off and get your chair before the music stops.