Civilian Pathway to Becoming a Pilot

Civilian Training Programs for Future Pilots

Traditional pilot training programs follow aviation authority regulations to earn certificates and ratings in a required progression. These programs offer ground and flight training that enables a pilot to build on knowledge and skills continuously.

Pilot Training Options

Pilot training is available through:

• Colleges or universities
• Local airports with a flight school or fixed base operator
• Dedicated training centers focused on pilot careers

Although certificates and ratings for airline pilots can be obtained in any of these training environments, the structure and coordination can vary significantly. In the United States, pilot training is regulated under two constructs in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

14 CFR Part 61: Pilot Training Facilities

CFR Part 61 includes regulations that a training facility can use without Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval. The FAA does not actively track flight training quality or manage Part 61 flight training curriculums. Instead, the FAA’s written examination and flight tests are designed to ensure that applicants for certificates and ratings meet both the minimum training requirements and the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for the certificate or rating that is being pursued.

Learn more about Part 61.

14 CFR Part 141: FAA-Approved Pilot Training Schools

Part 141 is an optional set of regulations that serve as the framework for FAA-approved training schools. Part 141 flight training organizations must obtain and maintain an FAA certification, which in part requires an approved flight training curriculum.

Training provided under Part 141 is generally considered higher quality due to its additional structure and increased FAA oversight as compared to Part 61. Some flight schools conduct training under Part 61 in a manner structured similarly to Part 141 but without FAA certification and oversight. While Part 61 training and Part 141 training result in the same certificates and ratings, the added structure of 141 can better prepare the student for a training environment similar to the training environment at an airline.

Learn more about Part 141.

College & University Professional Pilot Programs

Training provided by a college or university is generally considered higher quality training because the institution submits to an accreditation process designed specifically to measure the quality of its professional pilot programs. In addition, if the college or university qualifies as an institution of higher education as outlined in 14 CFR Part 61.160, the training is considered to be of an even higher quality, which benefits the pilot after training is complete.

Many college/university professional pilot programs qualify for credits toward the minimum of 1,500 flight hours required to qualify for an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. The credit is 250 hours for a two-year college degree program and 500 hours for a four-year program. With these credits, you can qualify for and obtain a restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificate, which allows you to serve as a first officer for an airline with as little as 1,000 hours’ total flight time. Note that the specific major/focus must also be approved to receive the 500 hour or 250 hour credit. Not all four-year aviation programs qualify for the 500-hour credit and may only credit 250.

View the FAA's list of universities that offer flight-time reduction.

ALPA supports these rules and policies and believes they provide appropriate incentives for future airline pilots to select a college/university pathway, which ultimately results in a well-trained, highly motivated pilot. In fact, we have established professional development and/or mentoring programs at several colleges/universities and visits dozens more each semester.

Entry Requirements & Pathways for Pilots

No screening requirements currently exist to be admitted into any of the modular pathway programs beyond qualifying for a third-class medical/student pilot certificate. However, prospective pilots must meet additional entry requirements to get into college/university programs (SAT and/or ACT scores, minimum high school grade point average, etc.), just like any other college degree program.

If you choose one of these civilian routes, you must obtain an ATP or R-ATP certificate after earning the private and commercial pilot certificates plus an instrument rating, multiengine rating, and often a flight instructor rating. Obtaining the licenses and ratings in a sequential order ensures that you develop the necessary skills and maturity to make decisions in increasing levels of responsibility.

Career Options After Earning a Commercial Pilot Certificate

Once you hold the commercial certificate, you are qualified to seek employment in entry-level commercial flight operations. You can pursue a wide variety of options, such as charter or corporate pilot, flight instructor, or scheduled air taxi pilot, among other options.

Timeline of Civilian Pilot Pathway

There is a wide range of time associated with the civilian program pathway. From the first day of training until you complete training for a commercial license and then build the flight experience necessary to reach ATP or R-ATP certificate, the amount of time needed varies dramatically. Typically, you should anticipate a period of 2 to 6 years.