commercial pilot Archives

Airline Pilot Salary: Comprehensive Breakdown & Industry Comparison 2025

Epic Flight Academy students put in a lot of effort to become airline pilots. They make connections while at flight school that will stay with them throughout their careers. But the real question is… how much will they earn? How much do pilots make? A short answer is the median airline pilot salary for 2023 was $219,140. (I’ll update this in June 2025.) Like other professions, pilot salary is not equal across the board. Pilot salaries vary annually among airlines, the type of aircraft, and even flying routes. For example, salary depends on various factors, such as pilot credentials, experience, job title, and pilot union agreements. Quick Navigation to Pilot Salary Introduction Average Airline Pilot Salary Major Airlines Pilot Pay … Read more

Feb 6

How to Become a Commercial Pilot in 2025: The 16-Step Guide

Quick Navigation to Becoming a Commercial Pilot Introduction How Long Does It Take? Cost and Other Factors So, what are the 16 steps? How do you become a commercial pilot flying a Boeing 787 as a Captain for a major airline? This 16-step guide is for you. Perhaps you’ve thought about flying 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. Check Your Pilot Training Eligibility! Types of Commercial Pilots Whether you become a captain for Emirates, a fighter pilot as a U.S. Air Force veteran, or a corporate jet … Read more

Jan 20

How real is the pilot shortage? After 50 years as a pilot, I can tell you it’s very real and not improving any time soon. Here’s why…

Did you know the aviation industry will need 120,000 new pilots in North America alone over the next 20 years? Yet, flight training schools can’t keep up with the demand. I have been in the aviation business for decades, as was my father and as is my son. Although we’ve seen an occasional blip, the pilot shortage has been a reality since commercial flight became available to the public. If the pilot shortage is on your radar, continue reading to learn more. Quick Navigation to Pilot Shortage Background Resolving the Shortage The Global Pilot Shortage: History, Causes, and Future Concerns The aviation industry continues to face significant challenges as the pilot shortage around the world remains a critical issue. It … Read more

Sep 1

The Role of Women in Aviation: Past, Present, and Future

History of Women in Aviation: Top 10 Trailblazers Creating a top ten list of groundbreaking female pilots is no easy feat. I am not rank-ordering these women pilots as the best in any category, because how can I? Each female pilot listed below is famous in her own right with incredible accomplishments. All have held influential roles as aviators, and their influence is still widely felt. Read on to meet some inspiring ladies… Quick Navigation to Women in Aviation Meet the Historical Top Ten: Leaders and Role Models Today and Tomorrow: Women on the Move 1. First Female to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic: Amelia Earhart When people hear the phrase “women in aviation,” they inevitably think of Amelia Earhart, … Read more

Dec 21

When the Clock Stops: Embracing the Journey from Active Pilot to Retirement

Some pilots are ready to retire when the time comes. Others already have their eye on a second career. When the time comes, whether by choice or another reason, such as medical, have a plan. No matter your age, all pilots should think about what comes next when their flying career ends. Approximately 2,500 pilots retire each year in the U.S. Quick Navigation to Pilot Retirement Factors Impacting the Decision to Retire After Retirement: It’s Not Necessarily Over The Unspoken Question: “What is Happening to My Flying Skills?” While cleaning the aircraft in the hangar, a pilot reflects on a recent landing. “What was that?” The question is not just about the landing but a deeper search into the changes … Read more

Jun 12

Decoding NOTAMs: Hanoi to Hong Kong

The Citation jet was ready for departure at Hanoi, Vietnam (VVNB) with a destination Hong Kong (VHHH). Weather was agreeable along our entire route. The NOTAMs were an issue. Acquiring the most current weather and NOTAMs can be challenging when flying international. For example, each country will have a different responsible agency to contact for this information. Once the pilot locates the agency, they must often pay a fee and apply for ramp access to the facility. Airlines provide this information to the crew. General aviation pilots can pre-purchase this information through a commercial contractor or locate the agency on their own. During our 2015 World Flight, we pre-purchased these services. The weather, Notices, and filed instrument flight plan were … Read more

Jan 30

Future Flying Forecast

The future flying forecast may have seemed bleak one year ago, but fluctuations and furloughs are not forever. Bloomberg News, September 2001: “Thousands of workers losing their jobs at American Airlines. United Airlines reports the gravest times in its history. Eight of the largest airlines in the United States have implemented over 78,000 furloughs since the terrorist attacks. Prior to these massive furloughs, the airlines were reporting record employment.” Furloughs in aviation are nothing new. One of the earliest sequences of layoffs occurred during World War I (1914–1918). At the beginning and during the war, the demand for pilots far exceeded the training capabilities. Production of pilots and aircraft could not happen fast enough. After the war, air mail and … Read more

Aug 23

Pilots as Mechanics: Should You Become Both?

Becoming an aircraft mechanic is a rewarding career. So is becoming a pilot. So, why would anyone go to the trouble of becoming both? After all, you’ll likely choose one or the other for a career. There are many good reasons why people choose to train in both fields. For example, a professional pilot who has become trained as an aircraft mechanic is more likely to notice if something seems ‘off’ during flight. This is a safety issue. Just as an auto mechanic would notice a problem while driving, an A&P would notice a problem with flying. Likewise, a professional mechanic who is also a pilot knows exactly how the controls should feel or how the engine should sound. The … Read more

Jun 29

Aeronautical Decision-Making: Pilots Making Best Decisions

Early in 2020, our lives changed when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Governors and state agencies issued emergency orders for the temporary closures of businesses and organizations in an effort to reduce the spread of this virus. All segments of the aviation industry have felt the impact. Transportation was listed as one of the l0 essential services permitted to continue operations, which included flight training. The principles of aeronautical decision-making can be applied to this and other situations. Epic Flight Academy took immediate and proactive action to ensure all operations continued without interruption. Epic leadership went beyond the recommended advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control. (Note: The photo above was taken prior to the virus outbreak, … Read more

Jan 2

Captain Judy’s Corner: The Need for Speed – Chasing a World Record!

Citation Mustang flown by Captain Judy Rice

Above: Captain Judy Rice stands next to the Citation Mustang in which she broke a world speed record. An aircraft speed record is no small thing. As the Citation approached Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (BGSF), I queried the Air Traffic Controller about their readiness as officiators for my Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), National Aeronautic Association (NAA) World Record Attempt. The controller responded, “Affirmative.” After landing, two airport officials assured the jet was fueled before giving a friendly wave as I taxied to the runway hold lines. After that, ATC cleared us direct to Reykjavik. In a heavy Danish accent, the air traffic controller remarked, “The clock is ready for your record-breaker, N178SF!” Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to Reykjavik, Iceland was a total of 727 nautical miles. I leveled … Read more