How many years does it take to become a pilot?

It takes four years to become a pilot, on average. The time it takes to become a pilot largely depends on the type of pilot license and the number of flight hours you can compete with at a given time.

Pilots have challenging roles that require a lot of training, so the amount of time it takes to become one will vary based on what kind of pilot you want to become. While It takes only three weeks of training to get a student pilot license, it can take considerably longer to meet the requirements for flying commercial, private, or multi-engine aircraft.

Types of pilot license and time it takes to complete:

• Student Pilot License (SPL)

  • Required for learning

  • Three weeks to complete

  • Zero hours required fly time

• Private Pilot License (PPL)

  • Required for flying any aircraft solo

  • 3 to 12 months to complete

  • 40 hour required fly time

• Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

  • The minimum requirement to fly professionally

  • 12 to 24 months to complete

  • 250 hours required fly time

• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Optional

  • Only instructors are required

  • Three weeks to 3 months

  • Zero hours required fly time

• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

  • The minimum requirement to fly as pilot in command for an airline

  • 2 to 5 years

  • 1,500 hours (or less with some degrees or military standings) required fly time

• Multi-Engine Pilot

  • Required to fly as pilot in command for routes involving aircraft with multiple engines

  • 10 hours to 2 weeks to complete

  • Zero hours of fly needed time