Being an airline pilot is very fascinating, exciting and an incredibly rewarding profession. But how exactly do you become an airline pilot? You can't just submit your resume and wait for someone to call you with a job offer. The actual process takes a lot of time and dedication; you also need to be able to meet certain requirements and the path to a career in this sector can be quite expensive. It goes without saying that you will have to put in some serious effort. Go all out and follow the steps listed in this article and then who knows, maybe one day you might become an airline pilot!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Main Requirements
Step 1. Get your high school diploma
Alternatively you will have to pass a math, physics and english test. These are in fact the three fundamental subjects that a driver must know.
Step 2. Enroll in a flight school certified or approved by ENAC (National Civil Aviation Authority)
The course consists of a theoretical part and a practical part in flight and / or on a flight simulator. To obtain the license you must pass a theoretical-practical exam at this institution. The minimum age for enrollment is 16, 17 for obtaining the first license.
Step 3. Obtain the certificate of psychophysical fitness
To be able to attend a piloting course, you must undergo medical examinations at the Medical Forensic Institute of the Air Force or at a Maritime Health clinic of the Ministry of Health.
- There are two different types of certificates of suitability: first class for those who want to become a commercial and airline pilot and second class for those who want to become a private pilot.
- The visits to obtain one of the two certificates include blood tests, urinalysis, eye examination, audiometric examination, ENT examination, cardiological examination, electrocardiogram, interview with the psychologist.
- The certificate is valid for two years up to the age of 40, after which it is necessary to undergo visits every year.
Part 2 of 4: Advanced Requirements
Step 1. After signing up for a flight school, get your Private Pilot License (PPL)
This license entitles you to fly a plane or a helicopter with non-paying passengers and 47 hours of practical flight are enough to obtain it (37 hours in double command with the instructor, 10 alone, plus an hour of examination).
Knowledge of English is not mandatory to become a private pilot
Step 2. Continue with the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training
This second license allows the pilot to be paid for his or her flight activity, flying small and medium-sized aircraft that require a single pilot or aircraft that require two pilots as co-pilot. At least 150 hours of flight time as a commander are required.
To become a commercial pilot you must have a PPL license and know the English language
Step 3. Complete your route and reach the goal:
become an airline pilot. The latest license is called ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) and is essential in order to be hired as pilots by airlines.
- The course is divided into two parts: theoretical training, characterized by 750 hours of instruction divided between the various subjects, such as Meteorology, Air Navigation, Law, Human Performance, etc. and practical training.
- After passing the theory exam you get the so-called "frozen ATPL", which is the theoretical eligibility which is valid for 7 years.
- Once you have finished the practical training and passed the in-flight exam, with 1500 total flight hours, you get the so-called “full ATPL”, that is the license that enables you to fly an airliner as a commander.
Part 3 of 4: Gaining Experience
Step 1. With the appropriate qualifications and at least 1500 flight hours under your belt you can be hired by any airline
After the ATPL you will be able to follow a further course called Type Rating, thanks to which the pilot has the opportunity to specialize on a specific aircraft.
Airline pilots must be in possession of the ATPL license, for the achievement of which the minimum age is 21 years. In addition to 1500 hours of flying experience, pilots usually also have one or more advanced qualifications depending on the requirements for a particular job. Because pilots need to be able to make quick decisions and make accurate assessments under pressure, many airlines reject candidates who fail psychological and aptitude tests. All licenses are valid as long as the pilot passes the periodic medical examinations, eye exam and flying ability tests specified in the airline's regulations
Step 2. Look for work in different aviation fields
Pilots can find work with both large national airlines and smaller private airlines, and to advance in the profession you can gain experience in various ways. Here are some examples:
- Try teaching. Many pilots start careers as flight instructors in schools that issue commercial pilot licenses.
- Look for work with companies that specialize in charter flights, international shipping or private aero-taxi services.
- Apply to fly private or corporate jets.
Step 3. Consider a military career
Becoming an Air Force pilot is not at all easy, as it takes great physical and psychic qualities, an excellent ability to self-control and a cool head to be able to manage the plane even in extreme situations. This is why military flight schools are very strict in selecting candidates.
Part 4 of 4: Career Advancement
Step 1. In airlines, career advancement is usually determined by seniority and flight hours
Step 2. Seniority will also help you to have preferential treatment in determining your flight schedules
Based on your seniority with the airline, it will be determined when you will fly, whether you will fly on weekends, at Christmas or on other holidays.
Warnings
- Your career will always depend on the medical certificate that guarantees your fitness.
- Being a pilot is a stressful job. The most important responsibility for a pilot is the safety of passengers and / or the load he is carrying and this means making many sacrifices: following constant training and being subject to continuous evaluations, undergoing alcohol and drug tests, accepting difficult schedules, being absent from home for short periods, traveling at night and on public holidays and having great responsibilities. Think for a long time before embarking on this career.
- In recent years, airlines have made cuts in pilots' salaries, days off, hotel quality, uniform costs, medical and dental plans, and vacation periods. If basic salaries are not raised, it may not be worth investing time and money to obtain flight licenses.
- You may also be away from home and your family for a long time. You cannot do otherwise. Regardless of what's going on in your home, you will be forced to fly again.
- Airlines usually impose limits on the ratio of weight to height to be hired. You must have good eyesight, but wearing glasses does not automatically mean that you will be excluded.
- Essential elements will be: an analytical mind combined with the ability to understand technical data, self-confidence, command and communication skills, ability to make important decisions in a short time, knowing how to remain calm in stressful situations and have good manual coordination. and visual.
- Take-off and landing are the most difficult phases because the pilots, while operating the controls, must check the instruments and make changes if necessary. They must therefore contact the flight controllers to obtain take-off clearance.
