What qualifications do you need to become a pilot?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The qualifications needed to become a pilot include educational training, flight experience, and certification. A prospective pilot must complete the required training hours, pass relevant tests and exams, and earn a certificate to be considered qualified.

Airline pilot career qualifications include:

High school diploma or GED. In some cases, employers may require a bachelor's degree. Degrees can typically be in any field of study, not just aviation.
Certifications:
- A commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine airplane privileges and instrument rating
- FCC radio license
Logging flight hours experience:
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): 250 flight hours
- Private Pilot License (PPL): 40 flight hours
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): 1500 flight hours
Ability to pass a random drug test
At least 21 years of age. While you can hold a commercial pilot certificate as young as 18 years old, most airlines require applicants to be at least 21 years old (mandatory retirement age is 65)
20/20 vision with glasses or contacts or without (color blindness may make you ineligible in some cases)
Some airlines perform FBI 10-year background checks, driving record checks, drug tests, and credit checks as part of their standard pre-employment process