Common Questions About Pilots

Everyone is pretty familiar with the basic job description of a pilot. They fly aircraft. But then, when you take the time to think about the ins and outs of being a pilot, what’s actually entailed? Many pilots have weighed in on the typical questions that are asked about the profession.

How long does it take to become a pilot?

Flight training is available through the military or flight school. From a military perspective, training can vary depending on which branch of the armed forces you pursue. Each branch tends to specialize in the specific types of aircraft that best facilitate and support its role in potential missions, combat or otherwise. Simply enlisting in the military doesn’t guarantee you’ll become a pilot. There are very strict qualifications that the candidates have to meet before being accepted into the officer school and flight training. The prescribed time frames must also accommodate the sophistication of the aircraft that pilots are assigned after completing basic flight training. Marines tend to have the longest training periods for their fighter pilots, but all branches require a multi-year commitment to active duty in return.

Flight schools offer flexibility that isn’t possible in the military. Many people who want to attend flight school may already have other responsibilities and obligations. Because the magic number of training hours will fluctuate depending on the type of certification you’re looking to acquire, flight schools can offer options to efficiently guide your classroom, simulator, and practice flight curriculum. However, schedules and requirements do vary by institution, so be sure to research the different flight schools to find one that works best for you.

How many hours can a pilot work?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs the number of U.S. airline pilots that are permitted to fly. There are similar governing bodies across the globe like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which oversees European airlines. To enhance the safety of both the passengers and the flight crew, there have been several iterations of the guidelines over the years. Currently, the FAA has set limits by week, month, and year, no longer differentiating between domestic and international flights. Minimum rest periods have been established, as well as assurances that pilots have opportunities to sleep at least eight hours during that time. Strict definitions are placed, so there’s consensus around when a pilot’s shift begins and ends for the hourly calculations.

Although there’s a maximum number of hours a pilot is permitted to work during a single flight, the limit goes up as the number of co-pilots increases. Otherwise, those long international flights wouldn’t be feasible. However, the number of co-pilots has no bearing on the total hours that individual pilots can rack up during the specified intervals. Those thresholds make the distinction between flight duty and flight time. Accepted levels of flight duty are set at 60 hours, with flight time capped to comply with mandated rest periods for seven days, 290 hours of flight duty with up to 100 hours of flight time over 28 days, maxing out at 1,000 hours of flight time per year.

What is it like to be a long-haul pilot?

Long-haul flights generally describe those long stretches required to make international trips. No pilot will fly from the United States all the way to Europe or Asia, then make the return flight the same day. Once they reach their destination, long-haul pilots remain there for at least 24 hours and up to several days before heading back. The opportunity for free time in potentially exotic locales is often a draw for many aspiring pilots.

There are several paths you can follow to achieve your dream of becoming a pilot. Like most careers, there tend to be a few variables along the way, so the sooner you decide how to proceed, the more clarity and insights you’ll gain.