How to Become a Commercial Pilot in 2024: The 7-Step Guide

So, what are the 7 steps?

If you’ve always wondered how to become a pilot, this 7-step guide is for you. Perhaps you’ve thought about this as a hobby, but becoming a commercial pilot is actually a great career choice. What exactly defines a commercial pilot? Simply put, a commercial pilot is someone who has been approved by the FAA to charge for pilot services.

Follow these steps to become a pilot. If you are starting with no flying experience at all, don’t worry – this is how all pilots begin.

  1. Step 1 – Research Flight Schools

    Find the flight training school that best suits your needs and has positive reviews from its graduates. This is a big step, and you want to make a good decision. After you apply and are accepted, there is more to do.

    Step 1 Research Schools How to Become a Pilot

  2. Step 2 – Get Medical Certificate

    All student pilots must pass an FAA third class medical exam with an Aeromedical Examiner (AME). If you plan to become a commercial pilot, you’ll need a class 1 medical certificate.


    Step 2 Medical How to Become a Pilot

  3. Step 3 – Get FAA Student Pilot Certificate

    This makes it official! You’ll apply for this through IACRA, and you will need it to fly with your instructor.

    Step 3 Student Pilot Certificate How to Become a Pilot

  4. Step 4 – Begin Ground School

    Private pilot ground school provides the practical knowledge you’ll need to know while for flight planning and flying.

    Step 4 Ground School How to Become a Pilot

  5. Step 5 – Begin Flight Lessons

    While in ground school, you’ll begin training in simulators and airplanes alongside a certified flight instructor (CFI). This lets you turn your knowledge into skills as you continue your pilot training.

    Step 5 Flight Lessons How to Become a Pilot

  6. Step 6 – Pass FAA Knowledge Test

    The FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test, known as the “written” to student pilots, assesses your knowledge of aviation in areas such aerodynamics, weather, flight instruments, weather, etc.

    Step 6 FAA Written How to Become a Pilot

  7. Step 7 – Pass Checkride

    The FAA Private Pilot Practical Exam, also known as the checkride, assesses your flying skills and knowledge of practical applications in the cockpit. Passing this is the final step. Congratulations, you’re a private pilot! This entire process takes approximately 3 months. Now you are ready to become a CPL!

    Step 7 Checkride How to Become a Pilot

Check Your Pilot Training Eligibility!

What types of commercial pilots are there?

While most people immediately think of commercial airline pilots flying passengers, the most common example of a commercial pilot, there are other possible careers in this field. There are even some that are a bit unusual. For instance, cargo pilots, such as those flying for UPS and FedEx, are also considered commercial pilots.

Number of Pilots FAA

Other commercial pilot careers include being a corporate pilot, or flying for a charity organization, such as Angel Flight. You can even fly for the government, perhaps for the Forest Service. Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) are also considered commercial pilots, and with the current pilot shortage, there is a high demand for CFIs. Whether you become a captain for Emirates, a fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force, or fly a corporate jet in India, the sky truly is the limit. It’s easier than you might think.

What about international flight students?

No matter where you live, we can train you. Epic has trained thousands of pilots from 80+ countries. There are many options for commercial pilots beyond flying for commercial airlines. Becoming a commercial pilot is a straightforward process. Once you determine your eligibility, you simply follow the training requirements established by the FAA. If you are not from the United States and want to become a commercial pilot in your home country, it is fairly simple to convert your FAA credentials to your country’s Civil Aviation Authority standards.

Although many pilots in the USA begin flight training while still in high school, most wait to learn how to become a pilot after 12th grade. Still, you can begin researching early. The best advice we can give is to find a professional flight school. Check the price, safety record, etc. Study hard, and soon you will climb into the plane and earn your wings! There are thousands of flight schools around the world, from America to India to Zimbabwe. Do your research, follow the steps, and we’ll see you in in the skies!

How long will it take? Not long at all… Read on!

CPL Training Timeline

How long does it take to become a Commercial Pilot?

This is one of our most frequently asked questions.

  1. First, earn your Private Pilot License (PPL). This allows you to fly single-engine aircraft under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), so you are already on your way to becoming a commercial pilot. This takes approximately 3 months.
  2. Next, earn your Instrument Rating (IFR – Instrument Flight Rules). This allows you to fly in low visibility weather using flight instruments and takes approximately 2 months.
  3. The next step is to begin your Commercial Pilot training. You must be 18 years old and have a 2nd Class Medical Certificate.
  4. Complete training to earn your Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This includes taking your written FAA exam, logging at least 250 hours of flight time (including 100 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC) and 50 hours cross-country), and passing your FAA checkride. Congratulations, you’re a licensed Commercial Pilot! Your CSEL (single-engine) will take about 6 weeks.
  5. Additionally, you’ll want to earn your Multi-Engine rating. This allows you to fly multi-engine aircraft. Earning your CPL with multi-engine rating takes approximately another 6 weeks. So, in a total of 8 months, you’ve gone from zero pilot experience to being a Commercial Pilot!
Airline Pilot Training Timeline

What if I want to go on to become an Airline Pilot?

This is the most common question we are asked!

After earning your CPL, you can build hours toward your Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) by becoming a flight instructor. To become an instructor, you will need to take the CFI course. In the United States, you will need to have logged 1,500 hours before you can be hired by a commercial airline. If becoming a commercial airline pilot is your goal, working as a CFI is a great way to build hours toward that goal. Other countries require fewer logged hours to become an airline pilot. Epic offers complete training from zero experience to ATPL for both U.S. students and international students.

  1. First, earn your CFI rating. This allows you to teach and build hours. This will take 2 months.
  2. Next, earn your CFII (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument) rating. You can do this in 3 weeks.
  3. Earn your MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor) rating, which takes another 3 weeks.
  4. Finally, log the hours you need to be hired by an airline. This varies from country to country. Check out the civil aviation authority in your country to find out how many hours you need to log.
How to Become an Airline Pilot

You know how long it takes, but how much does it cost?

The training is fast, but can you afford it? The average U.S. student completes all training in approximately one year at a cost of about $85,000 to $100,000. This is if you have no experience at all. Time impacts cost. You will start with your Private Pilot License and go on to complete a CPL. Then, it’s up to you how far you want to go with it.

How can I build time to get hired by the airlines?

Most pilots build hours by becoming a CFI or flying cargo. What a deal! You get paid to fly as you build hours! In the U.S., once you’ve logged 1,500 hours, you can decide if you want to work for a commercial airline flying passengers. In other countries, like Colombia for example, you only need to have logged as few as 250 hours. We encourage you to review hiring requirements.

Why does the total cost to become a pilot vary so much?

The total cost for training varies on many factors. For example, how well students do in their courses, availability of aircraft, weather, and more. On average, most students go from having no experience at all to earning a CPL with instructor ratings in 12 months. The cost also varies depending on a number of factors, mainly how long it takes you. On average, though, the cost is approximately $85,000 to $100,00 for U.S. students. This is a sound investment in your future considering the median pay for an airline pilot exceeded $225,000 in 2022.

What else should you know?

The more you know, the better prepared you are. How do you choose a program? What qualifications do you need to get started? Is flight training difficult? Do you need a college degree to fly for major airlines like Delta and American Airlines? Without good information, it’s hard to know where to begin. We’re happy to share our knowledge with you!

Basically, you need a year to train and about $85,000 to $100,000. These are general estimates that most students have no trouble meeting. After training, glide through the air to an assortment of flying jobs. Here at Epic in sunny Florida, we frequently offer employment to our graduates as flight instructors. They earn a paycheck while logging the 1,500 hours required by the FAA to go on to the airlines.

And, those of you with military flight experience have a head start. If you flew for the Army, Navy, Air Force or other branch, good for you! That free training will come in handy. You can apply that experience to your training and logbook!

Would you rather watch our 7-minute video on becoming a pilot?

Meet Some Epic-Trained Airline Pilots!

Epic-Trained Airline Pilots

George Cooper II US Flag

Graduate:
George Ashley Cooper II

Career Highlight:
First Officer, PSA Airlines

Alex Bateman US Flag

Graduate:
Alexander Bateman

Career Highlight:
TBM Instructor, SimCom Aviation Training

Michel Mosqueda Martinez MX Flag

Graduate:
Michel Mosqueda Martinez

Career Highlight:
First Officer, Volaris Airlines

View more of Epic Flight Academy's professional pilot career graduates!

Are you ready to turn your dream into a reality and pursue a career as a commercial pilot?

Excited? Eager? You probably have more questions now that you’ve learned how easy it is to become a commercial pilot. Whether you want to fly an Airbus or a Boeing aircraft, we can help make that happen. We would love to answer any questions you have and help you navigate your aviation career path. So, we invite you to contact us and let us know how we can help. We have trained thousands of pilots who now fly for the airlines. Why not you?

Check Your Pilot Training Eligibility!

86 thoughts on “How to Become a Commercial Pilot in 2024: The 7-Step Guide”

  1. Does the cost of $85,000-$100,000 include the 1,500 hours? If so, does that mean earning those hours through being a CFI reduces the overall cost?

    Reply
    • After you earn your instructor ratings, you would work as a flight instructor to a) build hours and b) earn a paycheck while waiting to reach 1500 hours so you can go to the airlines.

      Reply
  2. I would like to join army if granted the opportunity because I want to be a Pilot but even if it’s to join army so that I can do my career,it is okay with me.
    But the problem am not financially stable as per now so I don’t know whether I can be given a sponsorship or entry to be trained.
    And another thing I love USA alot

    Reply
  3. Since he was a little child, my brother has always wanted to be a pilot, and he plans to enroll in training programs shortly to get eligible for the job. You were right when you said that flying schools allow students to practice in simulators and aircraft with a licensed instructor to transform their knowledge into abilities. I’ll have it in mind as I assist my brother in finding upcoming private pilot training classes.

    Reply
  4. I’m 19 and I go to the university of South Carolina. My dad was in the Air Force and a delta pilot for 25 years and I thinking about becoming a pilot. But i have zero experience besides going into a flight simulator a few times when i was young. Being a pilot sounds so cool because you get paid a ridiculous amount of money, you basically fly to vacation, and you get all types of health benefits. But my family has had a big falling out and we definitely cannot afford the flight training. Any suggestions?

    Reply
  5. at 32 years of age and having no experience at all when it come to flying a plane, can I still choose this as my carrier? what if I can become a pilot by the time I am 35?

    Reply
  6. I am 12th appearing student with P C M .How much fee & boarding expenses required for CPL with reputed flight school & in many time taken for the same.

    Reply
  7. I’m 38 yo, working in an international airlines in Europe as Flight attendant all ready more then 8 years, my dream was always to become a pilot, my airline doesn’t hire me for the training as I’m too old. Is now the time to try again but I don’t know how. As I’m European I don’t know how and if can I get a loan in the US to start a training. Specially if. I’ll have chances after the training to get a proper job.

    Reply
    • Hi, Davide. Changing careers that require training at any age is a challenge. And you’re right in acknowledging the challenges of getting a loan in the US. We can’t offer specific advice on this, but we wish you all the best as you consider this big decision.

      Reply
  8. My brother has always dreamt of becoming a pilot ever since he was young, so he’s planning to take training courses soon to make him qualified for the position. It’s good that you told us that flight schools let students train in simulators and airplanes alongside a certified instructor to turn their knowledge into skills. I’ll keep this in mind while I help my brother look for private pilot training courses to take soon.

    Reply
  9. I want to become a pilot since I was a kid but know I hear I have to pay so much in order to become a pilot so am going to give up on my dream 🙁

    Reply
    • Don’t ever give up on your dreams! Find a way to make it happen. We had one student from Papua New Guinea who told us he worked and saved his money for 13 years before he could begin flight training. Today he is a successful commercial pilot. Look for scholarships and loans, and don’t be afraid to work two or three jobs to save up for your education. If it’s really your dream, you can find a way to make it come true.

      Reply
    • Hey don’t give up already you can also try for scholarships right you’ve been dreaming for this since you were a kid now do not give up on that feel how does your younger self might feel if you do not complete the promise you made

      Reply
  10. Hi I’m kinda interested in being a pilot but I don’t have any knowledge about it so,how do I start to learn how to be a pilot?
    I’m at the 8th grade.

    Reply
    • We encourage you to find a local flight school and pay them a visit. See if you can take a discovery flight or “fly” in a simulator. Getting some hands-on experience will be a good start. Find out if your school offers any aviation courses. There are also many flight training videos on YouTube and thousands of books and websites with information.

      Reply
  11. I found this blog post very helpful. I am just starting out on my journey to become a pilot and this article has given me a lot to think about. Thank you for writing it!

    Reply
    • Hi Scott! Technically, no, but the airlines have a mandatory retirement age of 65. You would need to get your medical, refresh your PPL skills, and then complete your IR and commercial ratings. Once you have logged 1,500 hours, you would be ready for a first officer position. You may want to get your CFI, CFII, and MEI and work as a flight instructor to build those 1,500 hours.

      Reply
  12. Please I really need your help because I’m from Papua New Guinea and in my country we don’t have good aviation schools so please I really want to apply for this flight school so please I hope you can help me.

    Reply
    • You must be 16 years old to get your student pilot license. In the meantime, you can study about aviation and aeronautics to build your knowledge.

      Reply
  13. Hello,
    I have been following your education program for a while now. I’m not immediately ready to enroll, however planning to midst of 2023. I wish to prepare in advance and start studying to get some lead. Can you kindly recommend a book, or study material that i can use? (I’m starting from zero)

    Reply
  14. Can i build my flight time using ur b200? If i can how much is it per hr? Secondly do i need to first get atp licence before i start with the cfi -cfii ?

    Reply
  15. hei, i am ndasimana i am from DRC Congo but i live in Norway and i want to become a Commercial pilot but i dont have any idea where to start and i have zero experience so, do i have to such for fright schools here in Norway or it is a must to move to USA in-order to get CPL?

    Reply
  16. Do you need a regular driver license to become a pilot ? Or it doesn’t affect you in anyway to become a pilot

    Reply
  17. Hi, I am 24 years old right now and currently living here in Prince edward Island in Canada. I already got my degree and want to pursue this career since I was a kid. I am saving money this year and planning to get all the training you have. I hope its not too late for my age cos I really want to become a Pilot. I want your honest opinion please cos for me I think this is the right decision for me and my future.

    Reply
  18. Hi,I have,60000,USD,on my hand,and I wish to take avenue to cpl pilot carrier..and afraid of hidden costs,what can ,I do,and I like Epic alot?

    Reply
    • Hello, Kazana! We disclose all costs so you can budget accordingly. The full program for international students costs approximately $40,000 USD (details here). This would leave you with $20,000 USD for housing and food. You can prequalify here.

      Reply
    • Many pilots begin at your son’s age. If he is doing well in high school and can also commit to studying ground school lessons, he will probably do fine. He will first earn his Private Pilot License (PPL), which begins with a virtual academy and is followed by Ground School. He may prefer waiting until his summer break from school to make sure he can focus. We recently spotlighted one of our graduates who completed his PPL, IR, and CPL while attending school.

      Reply
  19. A have a dream to becomet a pilot but i have no money.pls how will i go about it, Is there anywhere i can help? Pls i need help just,God bless who Will help me.THanks.

    Reply
  20. Im George Emeck from Papua New Guinea. I’m very interested in this study programme but having problem with fees.please how can I apply for the loans.

    Reply
  21. Hi I’m
    From Sri Lanka, and I don’t have any degrees or any university level of adulation, Just high school, and Im not very good at mathematics. I want to start from 0, Is it possible me to start from PPL to CPL with that education level?

    Reply
    • Yes, you can start at that level. You do need to be able to do math. Our instructors are good at teaching the math you need, but you must commit yourself to learning.

      Reply
    • Epic does not have a cut-off age to enroll. The International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) set the maximum retirement age at 65, and the FAA adopted this. However, other civil aviation authorities (CAAs) have extended that age to address a pilot shortage in their areas. So, knowing this will give you an idea of how long you can fly professionally based on your own age.

      Reply
  22. I’m looking for a career change. An Airline pilot is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve got 20+ years in IT, 43 years old with a family.
    does this sound like an average recruit?

    Reply
    • Thank you for your comment!

      At 43, you still meet our age criteria.
      To become a trained airline pilot at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA you must:
      1) Be at least 17 years of age
      2) Speak English proficiently
      3) International students must have a valid passport (Passport information: https://epicflightacademy.com/passports/) or two other forms of identification if you are from the USA
      4) Completed high school or secondary education (Grades don’t matter, only that you completed school.)

      If you have the qualifications, please complete this form so our recruitment team can follow up with you: https://epicflightacademy.com/prequalification-enrollment/

      Reply
  23. Is there any way to get financial aid or loan for international students? Total course cost for CPL is quite expensive and 50% payment without aid or load looks reasonable for me,please help me out. I am a mechanical engineer and are there any additional prerequisites ?

    Reply
  24. Do I have to pay differently for the “starting with instrument course” & “Starting with zero experience” or paying only one will suffice??

    Reply
    • Hi, Mahdin,

      The amount you pay depends on whether or not you have previous flight training. If you have no experience, you would start at zero and go forward. If you already have your private pilot license, you can start with the instrument course, which is the next step to become a commercial pilot. All costs are shown here.

      Reply
  25. I have Bsc degree in electrical and computer engineering ,I am from Ethiopia, so how can you help me to become professional,, commercial pilots

    Reply

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