commercial pilot Archives

What is a checkride for pilots?

Think of the checkride as a final exam for pilots! Read on to learn what they are, how to prepare, and what to do if you need to retake the checkride. Practical Pilot Exam For a pilot, few events are more satisfying than passing a checkride and earning that certification! A pilot checkride is the FAA practical test required to receive a specific pilot certificate or rating, such as the Private Pilot License (PPL) or Instrument Rating (IR). This practical evaluation serves as a final exam following months of flight training. Under the supervision of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), pilots practice maneuvers, prepare study materials, and build proficiency before being endorsed for the test. However, it’s the Designated Pilot … Read more

Airline Pilot Salary: Comprehensive Breakdown & Industry Comparison 2025

How much do pilots make? Based on current data (next update: May 2026), the annual median airline pilot salary is $226,600 and the average is over $200,000. Pay typically ranges from around $90,000 for new first officers to $450,000 for senior captains at major airlines. Earnings vary by airline, aircraft type, routes flown, credentials, experience, job title, and union agreements. Read the complete breakdown below by airline, rank, and experience below. Overview of Airline Pilot Salaries and Influencing Factors Pilot pay varies for many reasons, such as the airline, rank, and years of service, with the average salary over $200,000 in 2025. People choose an airline pilot career for a variety of reasons, first and foremost being their love of … Read more

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

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 pilot in India, the sky truly is the limit. How long does it take to become a … Read more

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. 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 has intensified, impacting commercial aviation, military operations, and regional … Read more

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… 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, the famed aviatrix who on May 20-21, 1932 was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. However, Earhart is … Read more

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. 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 they’re experiencing. Years of flying experience seem to be at odds with recent performances. This raises a … Read more

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

Future Flying Forecast

The future flying forecast may have seemed bleak during the Covid-19 pandemic, 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 … Read more

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

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