The timeline of how long it takes to become a pilot depends on several factors, including the types of training program chosen, career goals, amount of licenses and ratings required, and even your own personal learning pace. If you are looking to plan ahead for your future as a pilot, this timeline information will help you make the most informed decisions when it comes to training and expectations.
Pilot Training Timeline
The path to become a pilot begins with training towards a private pilot license. This is followed by additional ratings and certifications as you advance your skills and continue with through a Part 61 or Part 141 training program.
Using an FAA structured curriculum required in Part 141 training, students can obtain a PPL in 3-5 months through a consistent training schedule. Students in a Part 61 program are under a more flexible schedule and curriculum. Under Part 61, students need a minimum of 40 hours, versus the 35 needed through Part 141. The timeline for obtaining a PPL through a Part 61 program varies depending on the level of commitment each student can make to training.
After the PPL comes the first instrument rating, around another 2-3 months of training. This is followed by commercial pilot certificates, multi-engine ratings, flight instructor certifications, and, finally, an airline transport license needed to work for an airline as a pilot.
Fast Track Pilot Training Timeline
Students who are able to dedicate themselves full-time to flight training have the option to consider a fast track flight training program. Under accelerated training, students can obtain everything they need to become a commercial pilot in as little as 10 months. This requires heavy commitment: building flight hours needed to obtain licenses while also taking ground school sessions.
Superior Flight School’s accelerated flight training program consists of the following:
- Private Pilot License: 2 to 3 months
- Instrument Rating: 2 months
- Commercial Pilot License: 2 to 3 months
- Multi-Engine Rating: 1 month
- Certified Flight Instructor: 2 months
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument: 1 month
- Multi-Engine Instructor: 2 weeks
Under a fast track flight training program, training and flying lessons remain quick-paced and efficient. This may not be the best option for every student, depending both on their natural pace of learning and the level of commitment they can give to training each week. Students who have family and work obligations outside of training might be better in a Part 61 program.
Factors Affecting How Long It Takes to Become a Pilot
Each student’s training timeline depends on multiple variables, including:
- Consistency of flying to accumulate flight hours
- Any gaps between lessons that require more review time
- Individual learning pace
- Previous experience
- Preparation between lessons and flights
- Commitments outside of flight school
Poor weather days are inevitable. But, Georgia offers more consistent and ideal weather patterns than states in the Northeast, for example. Students who train at Superior Flight School benefit from getting to take their flight training program in Georgia, where they can begin to learn in more reliable conditions.
Considerations
Before you commit to a flight training program, consider your personal goals and circumstances. If you are fully committed to working as a pilot for an airline, and you have no other educational, family, or work obligations, a Part 141 or fast track training program might be ideal for you. This keeps you in training full-time, allowing you to remain focused until you obtain your licenses and ratings.
Is It Difficult to Become a Pilot?
Becoming a pilot is achievable for any student dedicated to completing their training through a Part 61, Part 141, or accelerated flight training program. The difficulty level of becoming a pilot varies based on each student’s background and aptitude. Some students might excel faster than others in flight training. Each student has a different pace in which they are capable of learning, which is why Superior Flight School offers different types of training programs to choose from.
The best way to determine which program is right for you is to determine your career goals, previous history of education (ability to learn, level of focus on schooling, etc.), and level of commitment you have to becoming a pilot.
