Airline Pilot Training: Essential Information

For many people, air travel conjures up a glamorous image of touching down in far flung places, staying in exotic locations as you take to the skies, and that’s why many people look into the potential of pilot jobs every year.

Whilst there is certainly something to be said for that image, it’s not a career that should be considered lightly. The road to becoming a commercial airline pilot will involve numerous sacrifices on the way, both in terms of the cost of training and in terms of the commitment needed to see the training process through.

Read on to find out more about becoming a successful pilot.

Airline Pilot Training: An Overview

Taking the controls of a commercial plane seems a romantic image. Although this job offers plenty of benefits (the chance to travel, a healthy annual salary), it’s not a career that will suit everyone. The training process to become an airline pilot can be gruelling and costly, so it’s important to be realistic from the outset as to whether all those years of training will pay off.

The first step anybody with ambitions of flying a commercial plane should take is to train for the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). This will allow you to sample the demands of this job role, and will help you to gauge whether further training is appropriate. Bear in mind that this licence can only be used for personal use, so commercial training will be required before you can be considered for a full time flying role.

Pilot training can prove costly, with even beginner courses starting from around £5,000 a year, and fees will rise even further as training becomes even more advanced. For commercial flying, the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) or Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) will be required, and during a certified course, a student can expect to learn about aspects of aviation law, flight performance and planning, meteorology, operational procedures, flight communications and principles of flight. A pilot will also need a minimum of 195 hours of flying experience in order to be approved to fly.

So, if you’re currently mulling over the potential of pilot jobs, the information provided in this guide should give you an insight into the commitment required to succeed in this particular career path.