Ultimate Guide to Become a Commercial Pilot
Becoming a commercial pilot is a great career choice. A commercial pilot can fly emergency planes, charter planes, and rescue operations.
However, training for this career is both a challenging and rewarding undertaking. Pilot training involves learning the technical aspects and a significant investment of money and time. Before you embark on flight lessons, there are essential things you should take into consideration, such as health, cost and required time for flight training. You will also have to enroll in a commercial flight training school.
When searching for a pilot training school, choose one with great reviews that suits your needs. Below are some crucial things you need to know before enrolling for pilot training.
Pilot training requirements
The basic requirements to become a commercial pilot include the ability to communicate effectively and being over 18 years old. After you meet these requirements, the first thing you should do to become a commercial pilot is to attain a private pilot certificate.
You can learn how to fly with the basics as a private pilot before flying complicated aircraft as a commercial pilot. Private pilot training involves getting instructions from solo flight practice and certified professionals. It helps to learn the basics of flight process, aeroplane maintenance, and operations.
Getting a private pilot license takes six months at most. It involves theory, testing, and flight lessons which cover the basics of taking off and landing. During this training, you must demonstrate the ability to handle radio signals, observe rules, and adhere to proper flight procedures. You will receive a private pilot license after successfully completing the course.
Commercial pilot training
Pilots of commercial airlines are required to have a bachelor's degree for two years of college experience. Besides certification, prospective commercial pilots must have excellent communication skills and aeronautical knowledge as well as physical health, and excellent vision.
In addition, you must fly about 1500 hours in various situations before you can get a commercial pilot's license. Before you start practising as a commercial pilot, you will also need transport pilot licenses for commercial airlines.
After getting the required experience, you can become a commercial pilot. You must also pass a practical test to demonstrate you meet industry standards, have good flying proficiency, and can perform numerous operational tasks. Also, you must pass a written exam on knowledge of safety, regulations, and navigation. This training takes about 150 study hours.
Medical requirements
All commercial flight students are required to have a class 1 medical certificate. This means that you will pass a medical exam before becoming a commercial pilot. It's best to get this taken care of early on, as the last thing you want is to find you can't pass a medical exam after completing commercial flight training.