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Requirements for a pilot profession

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The federal government establishes minimum and maximum ages for airline pilots. A commercial pilot must be at least 18 years of age and an applicant for an air transport pilot certificate must be at least 23 years of age. Federal law requires commercial airline pilots to retire at age 60.

Until very recently, airlines rarely hired pilots after age 32. Today, older pilots are being hired because of growing pilot shortage, but the airlines expect experience to be commensurate with age. In other words, older pilots with many hours of flight time who would not have been considered just a few years ago are now attractive to the airlines.

Airline pilots must meet stringent physical health requirements. Medical examinations required by the FAA are classified as first, second, or third class. The differences are based on the specific levels of physical requirements and the length of time the certificate is valid. A first class certificate requires the highest physical requirements and is valid for six months. It is required for an airline pilot in command of an aircraft (captain).



Before you begin training for any airline position, we strongly recommended that you take a first class physical from a physician who is a designated FAA examiner. You can obtain the names of FAA medical examiners from the FAA regional headquarters nearest you, or you can ask the operator of any FAA-approved training school in your area for the name of an examiner.

Heart, lungs, physical dexterity, and eyesight are the main concerns. Dependence on drugs, even most prescription drugs is disqualifying. Almost every airline will now allow applicants to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct vision to 20/20 in each eye.

Educational Requirements

The commercial airline pilot profession increasingly becomes more complex and technical. To meet the constant demands of constantly changing technology requires a high degree of mental dexterity. Airline pilots never stop learning new systems, new aircraft configurations and new procedures. Because of the ever changing aviation technology and the requirements for mastery of new systems, pilots must attend ground schools regularly and pass courses there as well as passing flight checks in simulators and aircraft.

Because the airline pilot works with technically complex systems of navigation and communications equipment, the pilot should have a thorough grasp of mathematics, aerodynamics, aeronautics, navigation, and meteorology. The pilot must be able to think clearly even in times of stress and to communicate accurately, understand multiengine, land, sea, helicopter, or instrument A specific type rating in the model flown is required before a pilot can fly an aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds.

1. Student Pilot

Minimum age: 16

Privileges: May receive instruction and fly solo under the supervision of a certificated flight instructor. He/she may not carry passengers.

Physical standards: Must possess a valid third class medical certificate prior to solo.

Education: Should have a good basic education in mathematics, sciences, and English.

After a minimum of 35 hours of training at an FAA-approved school or 40 hours at a non FAA approved school, including specified hours of training in cross-country, introduction to instruments, and emergency procedures, the student may be recommended for a private certification.

2. Private Pilot

Minimum age: 17

Privileges: May pilot any aircraft for which a rating is held and may carry passengers but not be paid or receive other compensation for activity as a pilot

Physical standards: Must possess a valid third class medical certificate.

Education: Besides a basic education, must have specialized instruction in Federal Aviation Regulations, navigation, radio communications, weather observation and evaluation, aircraft loading, and flight planning.

Skill level: Must pass a written examination administered by the FAA and successfully demonstrate to an FAA designated examiner pilot skills covering flight planning, preflight procedures, straight and level flight, climbing and gliding turns, soft field and short field takeoffs and landings, stall recovery from various attitudes, 720 degree turns with precision, and crosswind takeoffs and landings.

3. Commercial Pilot

Minimum age: 18

Privileges: May act as pilot in command of any aircraft for which a rating is held and receive compensation.

Physical standards: Must hold a valid and current second class medical certificate.

Aeronautical experience: Must have at least 250 hours of flight time, including at least 100 hours as pilot in command, 50 hours of cross-country, 10 hours of training in control of complex (adjustable landing gear and props) aircraft, 10 hours of instrument instruction, and an instrument rating.

Skill level: Must pass a detailed written examination and demonstrate to an examiner most of the skills required for a private certificate but performed with a higher degree of precision.

The Air Line Pilots Association, International has an associate membership program designed for commercially rated pilots working within the aviation profession, the Association of Independent Airmen (AIA). AIA is designed to offer pilots the professional benefits and services needed to be successful in today's aviation industry.

4. Air Transport Pilot

Minimum age: 23

Privileges: May serve as pilot in command of aircraft Physical standards: Requires a current and valid first class medical certificate.

Education: High school or its equivalent. (Most employers prefer a college degree.)

Aeronautical experience: 1,500 flight hours, 500 of which are cross-country, 100 at night, 75 in instrument category, of which 50 will be in actual instrument weather conditions. An instrument rating is required.

Aeronautical skill: Must successfully pass a written examination and demonstrate to an examiner his/her ability to pilot an aircraft under the complex situations applicable to airline type flying.

All categories of licenses require decency of experience. All pilots must take a flight review with an instructor at least every two years. In addition to taking regular six-month FAA and company flight checks, and simulator and medical exams, an airline pilot is subject to unannounced spot checks by FAA inspectors.

Pilot Career Information

The Air Line Pilots Association, International has a program designed for aspiring airline pilots, the Pilot Information Program (PIP). The annual membership fee of $20.00 includes a subscription to the Air Line Pilot magazine, among other benefits.

Looking Ahead

Whatever path you may take for a career, aviation and air transportation will be an important part of life. Even though you may not become an airline pilot, air travel may be essential in another career.

We hope that the information in this essay has been helpful to you as you plan your future. As professionals dedicated to a continuance of professionalism, we at the Air Line Pilots Association, International welcome the opportunity to discuss the future of air transportation and the potential for your place in it
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