* Age: 18 years or older
* Education: High school diploma or equivalent
* Flight time: 1,500 hours of total flight time, including:
* 500 hours of cross-country flight time
* 100 hours of night flight time
* 75 hours of instrument flight time
* Medical: First-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved physician
* Written exams: Pass the FAA written exams for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certificates
* Flight tests: Pass the FAA flight tests for private, instrument, and commercial pilot certificates
Additional Qualifications for Airline Pilots
In addition to the general pilot qualifications, airline pilots must also meet the following requirements:
* Education: Bachelor's degree in aviation or a related field
* Flight time: 1,500 hours of total flight time, including:
* 500 hours of cross-country flight time
* 100 hours of night flight time
* 75 hours of instrument flight time
* Medical: First-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved physician
* Written exams: Pass the FAA written exams for private, instrument, commercial, and airline transport pilot certificates
* Flight tests: Pass the FAA flight tests for private, instrument, commercial, and airline transport pilot certificates
Additional Qualifications for Military Pilots
Military pilots must meet the same general pilot qualifications as airline pilots, but they must also meet the following additional requirements:
* Age: 17-33 years old
* Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
* Flight time: 1,500 hours of total flight time, including:
* 500 hours of cross-country flight time
* 100 hours of night flight time
* 75 hours of instrument flight time
* Medical: First-class medical certificate from an FAA-approved physician
* Written exams: Pass the FAA written exams for private, instrument, commercial, and airline transport pilot certificates
* Flight tests: Pass the FAA flight tests for private, instrument, commercial, and airline transport pilot certificates
* Military training: Complete the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, or U.S. Military Academy, or complete Officer Training School (OTS)
Airline Pilot Training Programs
There are a number of airline pilot training programs available, both in the United States and internationally. These programs typically last for 18-24 months and cost between $60,000 and $100,000.
Military Pilot Training Programs
The U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Military Academy all offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelor's degree and a commission as a military officer. These programs also include flight training.
Officer Training School (OTS) is a 10-week program that leads to a commission as a military officer. OTS does not include flight training, but it is possible to apply for flight training after completing OTS.
Career Outlook for Pilots
The career outlook for pilots is expected to be excellent over the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of airline pilots will grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for air travel.