How hard is it to become an airline pilot?

It is pretty hard to become an airline pilot. The most difficult aspect of becoming an airline pilot isn't so much learning to fly a plane, but more the written and practical tests you must take and pass along the way. It takes around 4 to 5 years to become an airline pilot.

Becoming a commercial airline pilot requires considerable study and training, as well as many hours of flying time. It requires a lot of dedication, commitment and hard work to become a commercial pilot, but can be a rewarding career path for anyone who loves to travel and enjoys a challenge.

The first step is obtaining your student pilot license. You need a student pilot license, and to pass an FAA medical exam to be eligible to fly solo. This is important, so you can start logging the necessary flight hours to progress towards higher certification.

To be eligible for a student pilot license you must also be in good health - meaning you don't suffer from any disqualifying conditions, and meet the necessary vision requirements. This is issued with a third-class medical certificate that a student pilot license falls under.

The next step towards becoming an airline pilot involves logging the necessary flight hours and passing the written knowledge and practical test required for a CPL.The number of flight hours required is either 190 or 250 hours.

This varies depending on whether you enroll in a Part 61 or Part 141 school. The FAA has what is known as the 1,500-hour rule. What this means is that a pilot must accrue 1,500 flight hours to be eligible for an airline transport pilot license and work as an airline pilot.

The hardest part of obtaining an ATPL is therefore logging the necessary flight hours. By the time you reach 1,500 hours, you should have more than enough experience and knowledge for the written knowledge and practical test to not pose much problem.

The checkride, for example, is similar to an Instrument Rating but with some tighter standards on a few things. Other things tested are unique to an ATP checkride like crew resource management.

When it comes to the written knowledge and practical tests, there is less room for error. More advanced topics are covered, and more precise control of the aircraft is required while doing things like changing attitude, altitude, and airspeed at the same time.

A second-class medical certificate is also required, but this won't be hard to obtain if you had no problems obtaining your third-class certificate.

A first-class medical certificate is also required once you complete your flight hours, before you can start applying for airline pilots positions. This is very similar to what is required during the FAA medical exam for a second-class certificate, so will not be hard to get.

Once you get your pilot license it will never expire, however, If you plan to work as a commercial airline pilot, then you will need to renew your first-class medical certificate either every 6-months or every year.

A commercial airline pilot also needs to complete recurrent training when he or she renews their first-class medical certificate. Part 91 General Aviation at a minimum must obtain a Biennial flight review signed off by a CFI. To carry passengers you must have 3 takeoffs and landings in the past 90 days, and at night if flying passengers at night.

To fly IFR, you must meet the currency requirements in FAR Part 61. Airline pilots need either a Proficiency Check or a Line Oriented Flight Training simulator session every 6 months, normally they alternate, along with several hours of recurrent ground training. They also need to meet IFR and landing currency requirements.