Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best airline pilot certifications
The best certifications for an airline pilot are Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Commercial Pilot (CP), and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).
Airline pilot certifications demonstrate your competency as an airline pilot to employers. However, not all airline pilot certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best airline pilot certifications. Obtaining an airline pilot certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
3 best certifications for airline pilots
| Rank | Airline pilot certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) | FAA |
| 2 | Commercial Pilot (CP) | FAA |
| 3 | Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) | NBAA |
3 best airline pilot certifications
1. Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
2. Commercial Pilot (CP)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program identifies qualified professionals to lead flight departments and companies that use business aircraft. Join the ranks of esteemed aviation professionals who have already been recognized as Certified Aviation Managers and apply for the CAM Exam today.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for an airline pilot?
The best airline pilot certification is Airline Transport Pilot (ATP). The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) is awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this airline pilot certification:
- To become a certified Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 2 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for airline pilots?
The most in-demand airline pilot certification is Commercial Pilot based on all active job postings. Having this airline pilot certification will give you access to more airline pilot jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an airline pilot career and salary?
The Certified Aviation Manager certification will help you to secure an corporate pilot position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An corporate pilot's average salary is $65,746 whereas airline pilots make an average salary of $85,534.
The most common combination of airline pilot certifications include: Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Commercial Pilot (CP), and Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).
Online courses for airline pilots to earn certifications
1. Flight Mechanics - Anemobarometry
This course focuses on the physics of the atmosphere and its consequences on speed and altitude measurements. At the end of this course, you will understand precisely the meaning of the speed and altitude indication available to the pilot of an airplane. You will understand the difference between standard and actual atmosphere and be able to perform basic altitude and speed correction computations. You will understand why jet airliners need to be pressurized, or why a clogged Pitot tube can...
2. Fundamentals of Flight mechanics
How do planes take off? How do they fly? How do pilots maintain control of them? And how high can airplanes fly? Get answers to all these questions and more with this specialization exploring the fundamentals of flight mechanics. You will learn how the laws of physics apply to airplanes and discover important concepts in aviation including lift, drag, and propulsion...
3. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
4. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
5. Flight mechanics - Propulsive balance and energy
This course is dedicated to energy management, i.e. speed and altitude control. The various sources of drag are first described and modeled, as well as thrust origin, and evolution with speed and altitude. Using these models, we can evaluate the propulsive balance and derive important concepts like flight regimes, best climb speed, or propulsion ceiling. We take then a glance at cruise performances and the evolution of range with weight. This course is a part of the specialization "Fundamentals...
6. Flight mechanics - Lift and trajectory
In this course, you will understand the influence of the angle of attack and speed on the lift. Then we will focus on hazards and limitations, like stall, spiral dive, or flutter. You will understand why stall phenomenon and Mach number limit the maximum lift and altitude the airplane can achieve. Then, you must understand what is flutter and why the altitude and speed of the airplane must be restricted to a safe domain. In the end, we will explain how to control the trajectory of the airplane...
7. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
8. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app
Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...
9. Development of Secure Embedded Systems
Three people died after the crash landing of an Asiana Airlines aircraft from Seoul, Korea, at San Fransisco International Airport (SFO) on July 6, 2013. The American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) established that the crash most probably was caused by the flight crew's (in)actions. Three teenage girls lost their lives; two in the airplane and another was accidentally run over by a firetruck.\n\nThe human factor is often cause for accidents. NTSB and others report that more than 50...
10. Aerospace Engineering: Airplanes, Airlines and Airports
Understand how Airplanes generate Lift, how Airlines and Airports operate and what is Aerospace Engineering today...
11. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
12. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
13. (Core) 4hr FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test Prep for Drone Pilots
Save time, skip fluff & learn the important stuff...
14. UAS FAR 107 FAA Drone Exam Preparation - INCLUDES NEW RULES
Prepare to pass the FAA knowledge test for UAS Remote Pilot Certification (RPC)...
15. The Operations Management Training Program
Learn how to design, plan, direct, and improve all the activities that transform resources into goods or services...
16. UAS/Drone Remote Pilot Test Prep for Part 107
Don't learn just enough to pass the exam (updated 2023)...
17. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
18. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
19. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control
Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...
20. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...