I’ve known I wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. My grandfather was a pilot in World War II and would often take me to air shows at the Port Hueneme Naval Base in the northwest Los Angeles area. His excitement for flying was contagious, and he would instantly turn into a young twenty-something again Air Force pilot when he explained the basics of flying to me. Little did I know this would lay the foundation for me to fly for a living. I’m often asked how to become a pilot. I jokingly say, albeit partially true, that if you can rub your belly and pat your head at the same time, you have what it takes.
1. Understanding the Different Types of Pilots
Most people I talk with about flying are shocked to learn that there is a wide range of aviation professions outside the scope of being an airline pilot. In fact, if you want to fly but not do it for a living, you can! In 2023, the FAA reported that there were 167,711 Private Pilots in the United States, which is less than 1% of the population. The difference between a Private Pilot and a Commercial Pilot is simple: one can fly as a hobby while the other can fly for compensation. Of course, there are many other types of flying like rotorcraft (helicopters), gliders, sport aircraft, and aerobatics. The professions of a pilot are broad, ranging from military, charter, and corporate to the airlines.
2. Basic Requirements and Qualifications
Each rating and certificate has different qualifications. If you are interested in getting your private pilot’s certificate, you must be at least 17 years old, speak English fluently, and be able to pass a medical exam from the FAA proving you’re fit to fly. You will fly between 40 to 80 hours, receive ground training, and learn what it means to truly aviate. There are many exams along the way, and sadly, this is a big part of aviation. For the private pilot, you will need to pass a 60-question ground exam, stage checks, and finally an FAA checkride to prove to a qualified examiner that you have the knowledge and skills to fly safely.
3. Flight Training and Education
There are many pipelines to becoming a pilot. If young enough and qualified, you can join the military and become a pilot this way. This means either going to ROTC at a college or attending an academy like the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, West Point, and so on. The benefit of this route is that the government pays for your flight training. Another method is to go to an accredited four-year college like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue, and a host of other schools to get a bachelor’s degree in aviation. This is a fun route and one I did. You spend your four years at college learning how to fly and study all things aviation. The other route is to join a local flight school and begin your training there. You can eventually work your way to commercial pilot and attempt to gain employment as a flight instructor, banner tower, or cargo pilot.
Conclusion
Maybe you don’t want to be a professional pilot and just want to fly on the weekends. What’s stopping you? Call your local flight school and get an introductory flight. Flying, for me, is like breathing. I need to do it. I love flying. Taking off from the surface of the Earth and putting an advanced piece of technology into the air like the birds is a feeling hard to describe. My perspective of our little planet, the weather, and the many places I’ve been have been shaped by the time I’ve spent soaring through the air. If you would like more information on how to become a pilot, send me a note! I would love to hear from you and will help steer you in the right direction if I can. Meanwhile, check out my blog on flying on a stormy night as a young co-pilot. Take care!
Happy flying,
The Nomad Pilot
