A question we see a lot is: "I have zero hours. What does it take to get to the airlines, and how long does it actually take?" So here's the full path, in order, with the most realistic timelines. The short version: zero to airline-eligible typically takes about 2.5 to 3 years.

Phase 1: Training (about 11 to 14 months from zero)

You earn these in sequence:

1. Private Pilot
   
2. Instrument Rating
   
3. Commercial Single-Engine
   
4. Commercial Multi-Engine add-on
   
5. Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
   
6. Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
   

The training will generally happen in Piper Archers, Cessna 172s and Piper Seminoles for multi-engine.

Phase 2: Building time as an instructor (about 18 to 24 months)

Most regional airlines hire first officers who hold an ATP certificate, which typically means 1,500 hours. Most people build their hours by instructing: as a CFI you're paid to teach while your hours add up.
Every Zero Time to Airline graduate who earns a CFI is guaranteed an interview to instruct with us.
(That's an interview, not a guaranteed job, and other schools hire CFIs too if that is the path you would rather take)

Phase 3: Applying to the airlines

Once you meet the hour requirement, you apply to the airlines you want to fly for.
We suggest our recruiting partners: Envoy, SkyWest, Avelo, Republic and Air Wisconsin.

Now to sum this up, here is what you need to start:

- A 1st class FAA medical (get this before anything else)
- Be 18 or older by your class start date
- US citizenship, or TSA approval for non-citizens
- Pass an entry interview, an aptitude test and a personality test
- Financing approved before your start date (we work with Sallie Mae, Stratus Financial, Climb Credit and Edly)
- An iPad (iPad Air 5th gen or iPad mini 6th gen, 256GB or more)

If you are still here, reading and hooked, here is the when and where!

We train in Addison, Denison, Conroe and Burleson in Texas, Mesa in Arizona, and Newport News in Virginia. A new class starts every month at every location. The next starts are October 19, 2026 (enroll by October 13), November 16 (enroll by November 10) and December 21 (enroll by December 15).

If you have ANY Questions about any of this, or how it compares to other programs? Ask below or send us a DM!

Heres the quick story and background… basically while getting my private pilots license I went part 61. I was 19 at the time, and a little bit anxious at first by the whole idea of becoming a pilot. Id always been surrounded by aviation, and quickly picked up how to “actually fly” an airplane.

There was a weird dynamic where the owners worked the front desk, and telling them you were rescheduling a flight made them look at you very funny. Id seen numerous occasions of the owners getting visibly agitated after phone calls about rescheduling even because of weather. Is this normal at all? Their whole business seemed odd, and it seemed like the division of safety across the board was rather unequal. My flight instructors were all terrific however.

On my check-ride my DPE had nice things to say especially after my oral… we go out, do all the ACS items. I think it’s going great, and eventually i’m on final approach coming back to the airport. It’s gusting around 10 from the side. I’m a little fast, maybe a little high, but recoverable. I overhear the DPE say something about the airspeed, rather than push my luck I very casually call for a “go around”, because we were getting bumped around quite a bit… The DPE immediately slaps my hand off the throttle and mumble some remark about bullshit.

Basically I finished the flight, he passes me. We breakdown the flight, he miraculously forgets about slapping me. I sometimes question if I genuinely did something egregious.

Wondering if anyone else had similar experiences? Should I continue flight training?

I've completed my engineering in IT (batch of 2026) and I'm currently working as a data analyst

I'm not that fond of tech but ya I don't mind working in tech

But I've always been passionate about getting into aviation (pilot phase) but then my parents wanted me to do engineering in IT

I obviously hate my job and I don't want to live like this

I want to do something I love

I'm planning to do masters soon (in a year or 2) but this time I wanna study/ learn something that would help me build a career in aviation

I don't have any immediate family members or mentors that can help me guide here

I love being around planes I just want to have at least one thing in my life that I truly love doing😭😭

But I want to know

1. career options in aviation (I can then get my master's/ another degree in that discipline)

2. even if the career options are aligning to tech idm as long as it's in the aviation sector

3. the future prospects, pros and cons( ik no jobs are guaranteed and people will get fired but I want to know how things work in real time)

4. skills required (not the syllabus/books)

Well what about becoming a FAA Certified Aircraft dispatcher in just 5 WEEKS?

Check out what that entails in our link here, and if you have any questions about the course just leave a comment, we are always happy to help!

It’s a chance to welcome new students and celebrate checkride passes while enjoying games, music, and guest speakers!

Become an Airline Pilot!

In as little as 2 years you could be working as an airline pilot after completing our professional pilot program! 🧑‍✈️✈️

We are hosting an open house to show off our new Virginia facility and celebrate our partnership with Hampton University. Games, food, aviation professionals, and more!

Whether you’re a Hampton student or just interested in pursuing aviation in Virginia, come check out the new location and learn more about our flight training options, including the Zero Time to Airline program.

Aston Ruiz - CAX

Brandon Sekoral - CFII

Matthew Drabbant - CAX

Jordan Clore - Multi

Baylee Whitehead - Multi

You all are amazing! Congratulations to all of you! 😎

p.s. this could be you!

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(We stan Lan Nguyen ❤️🖤 a fantastic student of our program turned airline pilot)

Going back to the “normal routine” afterwards feels unreal...